Electrical box-seal it up or drill drain holes?

[WAB]

I pulled my wiring box apart this week and it was crusty & slimy (once again) with old salt water. I had spread silicone caulk all over the outside seams after I put it together last time (only about 6-10 rides ago) I had to clean it out. I can't believe anything in there still works! I just ordered a new gasket hoping that might help some, even thought mine is not torn or anything.

I am not a fan of drilling holes in it, but if it would help I might consider it. I was looking at it last night, and you would have to drill 4 or 5 holes across the bottom. One in between each screw boss.

Thoughts?

 

[Jr.]

Take your time & seal it as it was intended. Use a little silicone based grease on the rubber gasket & the wire grommets. Most leaks are caused by frustration , putting the sucker back togeather. DO NOT, use a cordless drill to assmble the screws!!!!! you can & will crack the case & cause an unseen leak. Just take your time, and all will be ok

 

[Mile9c1]

Like Paul said, seal it (including the grommets). I've been using that Permatex Hylomar as recommended by Freestylegeek. It's really sticky.

 

[gj_fx1]

Any thoughts on a drain *plug*? Say drill/tap a npt plug, then you could at least check it after a sinking etc..

 

[butti]

the grease every surface method works well for me


double check the plastic part for cracks near the screw holes after you put it together

 

[jetskier79]

Seriously, if you are getting water in your electrical box, you are doing something wrong, or it's broken. Drilling holes is a super ghetto patch job that even I, the ghetto-est of ghetto mechanics, wouldn't think about doing.

The oceanside guys probably sink a boat at least once a month, with exception to Ross' square nose, the electrical boxes have stayed dry. Not saying we are master mechanics, just that after a good sinking, the box should still be dry.

 

[SuperJETT]

Yes, new gasket with Hylomar HPF on all mating surfaces, including the rubber plugs for wires.

 

[RoTAxGreNade]

I have done them all including running the box open.
It is a bitch to keep the seal where it needs to be when trying to cram all that spaghetti/rats nest in the box but if you take your time and reroute the nest it makes it go alot easier.
Do yourself a favor and disconnect the battery hot cable and connectors so you can to get the box as far out of the hull as possible - makes life sooo much easier.
When I replaced my starter cable I used a longer than normal one ( the only one laying around) and the benefits of that were bestowed upon me by accident!
I also stick a small house fan on top of my motor to dry things out and remove the fuse access to allow what little air to circulate in there.
I have found using a new gasket with nothing on it worked the best..... an old timer showed me when you lubricate any gasket that thick it tends to want to squish out when you tighten it.

You should be pulling your flywheel cover and E box apart every month or two as part of the preventative maintenance program especially if you are in surf.
Give some love to the old bendix too while you are there !

 

[Jr.]

I have done them all including running the box open.
It is a bitch to keep the seal where it needs to be when trying to cram all that spaghetti/rats nest in the box but if you take your time and reroute the nest it makes it go alot easier.
Do yourself a favor and disconnect the battery hot cable and connectors so you can to get the box as far out of the hull as possible - makes life sooo much easier.
When I replaced my starter cable I used a longer than normal one ( the only one laying around) and the benefits of that were bestowed upon me by accident!
I also stick a small house fan on top of my motor to dry things out and remove the fuse access to allow what little air to circulate in there.
I have found using a new gasket with nothing on it worked the best..... an old timer showed me when you lubricate any gasket that thick it tends to want to squish out when you tighten it.

You should be pulling your flywheel cover and E box apart every month or two as part of the preventative maintenance program especially if you are in surf.
Give some love to the old bendix too while you are there !

words to live by................

 

[Blaster94]

You should not use silicone on or in your electrical box. As it cures the vapors that are emitted are corrosive to all those connections inside.

 

[RoTAxGreNade]

Good point !!!
Ever take a whiff of that stuff drying??? :woot:

 

[Blaster94]

Once or twice:biggrin:

 

[WAB]

Thanks for the info. My front cover could have a tiny crack in it, I have never inspeced it really closely and always use a drill to put it together. :worried: I just wash it out and put back together.
Will use some Permatex Hylomar on just the grommets and leave the new gasket dry this time.

 

[Ollie Rastabean]

Thanks for the info. My front cover could have a tiny crack in it, I have never inspeced it really closely and always use a drill to put it together. :worried: I just wash it out and put back together.
Will use some Permatex Hylomar on just the grommets and leave the new gasket dry this time.

Andy, the plastic half of the e-box is only $35 from Riva. Brand-spanking new.

If you are worried that you have a crack hiding it might be better to start over. You could also have a screw stripping (but I would think you could feel it). After all- what is $35 compared to the value of everyhting else in the box.

Also make sure you get ALL of that silicone crap off the box mating surfaces. A little chunk hanging up in the wrong place could also contribute to this prob.

-Ollie

 

[Idok]

andy....for the past year or so been using vaseline or dielectric grease around EVERY surface...including smearing a little on the gromments where the stator wires pass thru its a PITA, and takes about 20 mins but well worth it...

opened the elec box on the red boat for thre first time in 6 months and it was dry as a bone...



never thought about pulling the fuse panel off with a fan, thats a good idea...

definatly stick your finger in the hole and look for any wetness, the one time in your life when this is a BAD thing

 

[Jr.]

The silicone based grease I was refering to earlier is under the brand name " super lube" this will not soften the rubber gasket & make it squish out. It also has die-electric princibles. Silicone sealer, is bad, Don't use that.
I use Hylamar on engine cases, but I have never used it on the elect box. I can see how it will work well tho, but it will present a clean up issue next time you open the box. another trick is to try to tighten the screws equally. thus not having a soft spot where water might be introduced.

 

[freestylegeek]

I've always used a 'head bolt pattern' technique on tightening the bolts. Start in the middle and work your way out with a repeating clockwise motion. I've never used any sealant, and I set my electric drill clutch to one of the lowest settings. That seems to eliminate overtightening. Then again, not EVER riding in salt water may have contributed to the condition of my electrical box components...

 

[Idok]

I've always used a 'head bolt pattern' technique on tightening the bolts. Start in the middle and work your way out with a repeating clockwise motion. I've never used any sealant, and I set my electric drill clutch to one of the lowest settings. That seems to eliminate overtightening. Then again, not EVER riding in salt water may have contributed to the condition of my electrical box components...

i use the head bolt pattern as well......

 

[jetskier79]

i use the head bolt pattern as well......

As do I. I've learned that any time you are tightening bolts or screws around the outside of something, it's best not to tighten sequencially. For the same reason you don't tighten a head or the lug nuts on a wheel that way....it will warp.

I criss cross my way around and screw them in to place. Then I go back and tighten them down the same way.

 

[RoTAxGreNade]

Just fill the bitch up with Damp Rid !!!! LOL