Community Forums

FL Rick · 01-13-2021, 07:10 PM

Hi Everyone. We have a blue ox towing system. The 7-Wire to 6-Wire, Coiled Electrical Cord is getting difficult to insert and remove four both the car and RV sites. The car side is especially difficult. Does anyone have a recommendation of what I could use to lubricate this? I don’t know if I should use WD-40. Let me know what y’all think. Thank you. FL Rick

AlanTerry · 01-13-2021, 07:24 PM

Following

rgvtexan · 01-13-2021, 07:53 PM

Silicon Spray
bar of soap
Bees wax
candle

Steve-W · 01-13-2021, 08:02 PM

Clean the plug and contacts first then apply dielectric grease to the contacts. That will help keep water out and make it somewhat easier to insert.

bradford3454 · 01-13-2021, 08:18 PM

Sorry but you should NOT apply dielectric grease to the contacts. From one of the manufacturers web site -

. Since dielectric grease is a silicone grease, it should not be used on silicone-based rubbers or plastics, as it will break them down over time. The grease does not conduct electricity, so it shouldn’t be applied directly to the mating surfaces (pins and sockets) of an electrical connection.

There really is nothing that will lubricate AND conduct so no way to lubricate the pins and sockets.

scbwr · 01-14-2021, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradford3454

Sorry but you should NOT apply dielectric grease to the contacts. From one of the manufacturers web site -

. Since dielectric grease is a silicone grease, it should not be used on silicone-based rubbers or plastics, as it will break them down over time. The grease does not conduct electricity, so it shouldn’t be applied directly to the mating surfaces (pins and sockets) of an electrical connection.

There really is nothing that will lubricate AND conduct so no way to lubricate the pins and sockets.

Seems to me if you apply dielectric grease to just the male brass contacts, there shouldn't be a problem.

Aside from that, I would suggest cleaning the contact points with a fine grit wet/dry paper to make sure there is no corrosion. Check the male fittings to make sure they aren't bent or damaged. After that, I would try the dielectric grease as what have you got to lose?

Or....go ahead and buy a new cord and keep the old cord as a backup.

A couple of years ago, we had the Blue Ox cable disconnect and it was badly damaged. I managed to find a new cable at a nearby RV dealer, so I purchased it to enable us to finish our ride home. Not long after that, someone on the forum had a used cable for sale at a good price so I purchased it and have it stored in the towed car in case I need it.

Maik · 01-14-2021, 07:35 AM

I had the same problem. I cleaned both sides of the connections and applied dielectric grease. It solved the problem and also solved the corrosion problem I would have intermittently. Just ensure you just have the grease in the connections and not on the cord.

milkman55 · 01-14-2021, 08:28 AM

This is what I use.

Ljwt330 · 01-14-2021, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradford3454

Sorry but you should NOT apply dielectric grease to the contacts. From one of the manufacturers web site -

. Since dielectric grease is a silicone grease, it should not be used on silicone-based rubbers or plastics, as it will break them down over time. The grease does not conduct electricity, so it shouldn’t be applied directly to the mating surfaces (pins and sockets) of an electrical connection.

There really is nothing that will lubricate AND conduct so no way to lubricate the pins and sockets.

Actually, there is.

https://www.mgchemicals.com/products...uctive-grease/

CWSWine · 01-14-2021, 09:09 AM

This is what I have been using and works great.

DeoxIT 5% Spray Contact Cleaner, 5 oz.

Cleans, protects, lubricates, and improves conductivity
Reduces intermittent connections, arcing, and RFI as well as wear and abrasion
Safe for use on all metal connectors and contacts and will not harm plastics
Dispensing Type: Spray

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fiesta48 · 01-14-2021, 01:43 PM

I've been putting dielectric grease directly on electrical contacts and connections for 40 years. It does not stop electrical flow and most certainly preserves contact points nearly indefinitely.
Do it on all outside connections especially the furnace and hot water heater. 12v DC and 120v AC.

chuckbear · 01-15-2021, 08:20 AM

I use to use silicone spray until I tried DeoXIT. Now that's all I use on all electrical connections including our tow cord. Chuck

ArtJoyce · 01-15-2021, 09:33 AM

I have use dielectric for trailer connectors and light connectors for 35+ years. Even the manufactur pemamtex recomends using it for trailer conector. Low voltage is the place to use dielectric grease. You dont want to use it on micro voltage because it will grow silicone micro crystals and you dont want to use it on high voltage because it will heat up. A dielectric is not a conductor or an insulator, it a dielectric.

rgvtexan · 01-15-2021, 02:22 PM

Dielectrics are insulators, plain and simple. The two words refer to the same class of materials, but are of different origin and are used preferentially in different contexts.

https://physics.info/dielectrics/