50A andersen plugs hard to push together and pull apart

I should add that the connection/disconnect force is around 10-15lbf, not too much.

Hi Andrew

When pushing the terminals in, there was a click as they went in, and the groove in the terminal sits nicely against the metal flap.... so all that looks good. 23 kilos force is probably about what is needed. My Brother in law had the same size on his van (already fitted) and he said they were not difficult to push and pull apart. Maybe his were not a good fit. I think i will look into the handles for assistance. Thanks for your help.

Thanks Kc

Thanks Derek

This is exactly as i have installed them and I have not deformed the terminals and the cable is not interfering in any way. Will Dielectric Grease make it easier to pull apart and push together?

Thanks Kc

Sometimes they get corrosion on them and make them hard to pull apart

I have two screwed one above the other and have bought one of the T handles from Derek which makes them much easier to pull apart

A good clean may help if they look a bit greenish

Hi Graham

Thanks. These are brand new plugs. Looks like I will get handles to assist.

regards Kc

Yes it works wonders, I saw an old guy battling with plugs one day and all I had on me was lip-ice, I took a stick and placed some on the contacts and flat surfaces of the housing of just one plug and the plugs snapped together with very little force.

He was very grateful, I told him that grease attracts dust do he must keep them clean.

.

Just out of curiosity I googled 'dielectric grease' http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-dielectric-grease.htm
It is an *insulating* grease, not exactly the stuff I would want to put on conducting surfaces.

There are conducting greases available, I use 'Alminox' for such an application.

I know it is safe on rubber and plastic and works well.

"Dielectric Grease is a silicone dielectric compound used to insulate, lubricate and protect electrical fittings. It protects against salt, dirt, moisture intrusion and stray current in electrical connections.
Dielectric grease extends bulb and housing life of navigation lights, masthead electrical connections, trailer lighting and harness or any electric connections exposed to moisture and the elements. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connector thereby insuring a strong spark in high energy engine ignition systems."

I am not sure I want the conductive type in a sand filled wet Anderson plug, trailer plug etc.

I can only recommend what I have used in the past with good results.

Regards

Derek

I have sprayed Lanotec inside the Andersen plugs, works well.
When not in use I have a zip lock plastic bag over them then used a cable tie to close the bag off, Hope this helps.

Hi V8

I just had a look at alminox and I would not recommend it at all. It is for component assembly. It is also petroleum based which will damage the plug housings.

"ALMINOX
Recommended for aluminium to aluminium bolted or
compression connections. Alminox contains sharp,
conductive zinc granules suspended in a viscous petroleum
base. Under pressure these granules make high pressure
contact points with the parent metal to effect a sound
electrical connection, whilst the base material seals the joint
to prevent further corrosion. Catalogue number ALM325G,
supplied in 325g squeeze tubes"

Regards

Derek

Hi,

For lubrication of the contacts good old vaselene is hard to beat. In a past like we used it to lubricate the drum controllers on DC electric cranes.

Cheers
Racey

I'm in full agreement with Racey, I did my Sparky apprenticeship in the early seventies and part of our toolkit was Vaselene for used for any contacts that had to slide against each other. But I would advise just a light smear as too much would probably collect dust on your travels.