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Author Topic:   Electrical corrosion @ rocker switch

scotts152001 posted 10-27-2002 11:45 PM ET (US)
On my 96 Outrage 24', a significant amount of white corrosion developed on the electrical connections at the back of the rocker switch to the bilge pump, out the front of the rocker switch and down the front of the console. Both Perko switches were off, but I think that the sump pump for the center console is always hot, so I assume that the switch had power even though the batteries were switched off. One battery was almost dead.
I washed down the center console before putting the boat away after my last trip, and think that I may have gotten water in the switch, and that this may have caused this problem. Anyone with previous experience with this problem or have an idea if water would have caused this? If water did it, should I seal the back of the panel before putting it back on?
weekendwarrior posted 10-30-2002 02:55 PM ET (US)
Not sure if this will help your case, but I always use a lot of electrolic grease on wire connections and this seems to really help with corrosion. If your corrosion is coming from inside the switch then maybe this won't help for you, but if it's coming from the wires then maybe it will.
jimh posted 11-01-2002 08:47 AM ET (US)
Water, metal, and electrical current can combine to produce a high rate of corrosion. From your description, it sounds like that was the case with your console toggle switch.
Some electrical components are rated "splashproof" and some are "waterproof". Again, it sounds like your switch is not 100-percent waterproof.

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Author	Topic: Electrical corrosion @ rocker switch
scotts152001	posted 10-27-2002 11:45 PM ET (US) On my 96 Outrage 24', a significant amount of white corrosion developed on the electrical connections at the back of the rocker switch to the bilge pump, out the front of the rocker switch and down the front of the console. Both Perko switches were off, but I think that the sump pump for the center console is always hot, so I assume that the switch had power even though the batteries were switched off. One battery was almost dead. I washed down the center console before putting the boat away after my last trip, and think that I may have gotten water in the switch, and that this may have caused this problem. Anyone with previous experience with this problem or have an idea if water would have caused this? If water did it, should I seal the back of the panel before putting it back on?
weekendwarrior	posted 10-30-2002 02:55 PM ET (US) Not sure if this will help your case, but I always use a lot of electrolic grease on wire connections and this seems to really help with corrosion. If your corrosion is coming from inside the switch then maybe this won't help for you, but if it's coming from the wires then maybe it will.
jimh	posted 11-01-2002 08:47 AM ET (US) Water, metal, and electrical current can combine to produce a high rate of corrosion. From your description, it sounds like that was the case with your console toggle switch. Some electrical components are rated "splashproof" and some are "waterproof". Again, it sounds like your switch is not 100-percent waterproof.