Loose connections

[igblack87]

Hi everyone - almost boat season here in NE!

I have been working on my 180 for about a week washing, cleaning, replacing some broken things. I noticed, while replacing the trim/tilt toggle on the throttle that some of the connections into the fuse panel are loose. The boat is a 2001 and most of the wiring is original. What can I do to make sure the connections are snug where they need to be? Attached is a picture to show what I am exactly talking about...can I just crimp the end of the connection where it slides onto the peg on the fuse panel?

For example...black wire with yellow connection (top right hand corner) is very loose on its post. Can I crimp the end so it sits snugger on the post?

Thanks for your help!
Ian

 

[DennisG01]

It depends on whether or not they're truly "loose". They can rock back and forth a bit but not really be loose. It's hard to explain via a forum - it's a touch/feel/experience thing. But, yes, you can remove the female spade connector and squeeze the curled-over portion a bit.

 

[igblack87]

Thanks for the feedback. That was my initial thought. None of them have corrosion or broken pieces, being 15 years old I feel they need a little attention and elbow grease.

Thanks!

 

[DennisG01]

Your welcome!

For keeping the corrosion away in the future (as a precaution), check out a product called Tef-Gel. Not cheap, but I've yet to find it's equal. It can be applied before making the electrical connection because it won't interfere with the flow of electricity. Unlike the commonly (mis)used dielectric grease. Dielectric, by design, is an insulator and should really only be applied AFTER the connection is made. However, there's a little leeway here since the connection in question is a spade connector. You could apply a small amount of dielectric and THEN make the connection since the female spade will "scrape" the dielectric away and still make a good connection.

 

[igblack87]

Thanks so much! I got under the center console yesterday with a friend that is a good electrician. We worked on a bunch of things and I think I am a little more prepared to battle the inevitable.

I also found out that my stereo deck is now defunct and wont close the circuit for my speakers...time to get a new one!

Ian