Water "Proofing" 30 amp Connections

[SoundGuy]

Here in Ontario runs to the campsite power post can be quite long, 100' or more not being unusual at all, so using extension cables are a way of life ... to solve this I long ago built a set of custom 10 gauge extension cables terminated with Leviton WetGuard connectors which in years of use have proven to live up to their name when used in really wet conditions. That said, I still have a couple of 25' cables with the standard 30 amp RV connectors which don't offer any particular protection from heavy rain or pooling water. I've never been comfortable just leaving these connections lying on the ground so like most I will at least try to protect them in some way, using an inverted bucket, stool, piece of wood, campsite picnic table, etc, to elevate the connectors off the ground. I'd prefer using some sort of water resistant enclosure designed specifically for the purpose but have never have come across anything suitable, even plastic tool boxes have always been too big. Recently though I discovered an inexpensive plastic shot shell box manufactured by Plano Molding that is readily available just about anywhere, is just the right size, and which has a hinged lid with a rubber O-ring that is secured tightly with a brass bail latch. Modification involved only cutting in the required cable entry & exit holes with a sharp knife and adding a couple of rubber grommets for a tight seal ... pics are below for anyone that may be interested.

30 amp Connection Protection - 2 pics

[JaxDad]

SoundGuy wrote:
I'd prefer using some sort of water resistant enclosure designed specifically for the purpose but have never have come across anything suitable, even plastic tool boxes have always been too big. Recently though I discovered an inexpensive plastic shot shell box manufactured by Plano Molding that is readily available just about anywhere, is just the right size, and which has a hinged lid with a rubber O-ring that is secured tightly with a brass bail latch. Modification involved only cutting in the required cable entry & exit holes with a sharp knife and adding a couple of rubber grommets for a tight seal ... pics are below for anyone that may be interested.

I went the cheapo route, I got a plastic pail from the dollar store and put a small eye bolt through the center of the bottom, eye to the inside. A very short bungee cord suspends the connection up inside the inverted pail and well clear of the ground. When I'm packing up, the cord gets coiled inside the pail till next time. Double duty.

[oldtrojan66]

For some reason I have always been concerned about rain water in the connection. I have a short dog bone connector with 30amp male and 50amp female to hook to the RV. Lots of state parks use 30amp so my connector hangs in the air. To preclude rain water running into the side of the connection, I nearly always wrap shrink plastic from a roll around so the layers overlap, like roof shingles. I did not know rain water was a poor conductor.

[Hiking_Hunter]

Just gather the two sides of the connection and stuff it in a garbage bag. Wrap the bag around the cables at the the entrance. Cheap, readily available, and less obtrusive than a large box. Elevate it off the ground if you want to with a chunk of wood or a rock.

Simple, and it works. Use the garbage bag when you break camp - you always need one then.

[shepstone]

Brilliant. I was just thinking about this while camping this weekend at Selkirk PP. Thanks

[SoundGuy]

JD and Beastlet wrote:
One Plano shot shell box on order from amazon.ca - CAD 13.99. 🙂

For any other Canadians who may be interested this Plano Shot Shell Box is also sold off the shelf at any Canadian Tire store at the same price. For our American friends it's readily available online for ~ $8 US.

[JD_and_Beastlet]

SoundGuy wrote:

Yo John, welcome to the sandbox! :B Oh boy, now the neighbourhood has really gone to the dogs :E ... between you and I we ought to be able to stir debate that turns molehills into mountains, no problem at all! :W

No doot aboot it!

One Plano shot shell box on order from amazon.ca - CAD 13.99. 🙂

[Chris_Bryant]

An side- we had a humidifier which is simply a reservoir with two wires stuck down in to it- the wires hooked to the power cord. Our water is pure enough that it wouldn't do much- though it would sizzle a bit. Add a teaspoon of salt, and the thing goes to town.

[3oaks]

MrWizard wrote:
puddles on the ground contain minerals, so it becomes a conductor
condensation inside a container should be pure, rain water is NOT always pure
it can collect dust particles from the air
anyway the container the OP has constructed is an excellent idea
pure water could act as insulator in a loose connection causing resistance to go up and create more heat

Maybe you're on to something. A back up source for HOT water! :B

[beemerphile1]

swamprat 01 wrote:
I use a Tupperware box with a notch cut in each end for the cord to pass thru, I have also used an ammo box in the past too.

Same here, I used either a Tupperware or Rubbermaid container.

[SoundGuy]

JD and Beastlet wrote:
Nice mod - thanks for sharing!

EDIT: Hey Bill, is that you?

Yo John, welcome to the sandbox! :B Oh boy, now the neighbourhood has really gone to the dogs :E ... between you and I we ought to be able to stir debate that turns molehills into mountains, no problem at all! :W

[austinjenna]

I guess I never worried about it, just plug them together and throw em on the ground.

[Bumpyroad]

Is "acid rain" pure?
bumpy

[JD_and_Beastlet]

Nice mod - thanks for sharing!

EDIT: Hey Bill, is that you?

[MrWizard]

puddles on the ground contain minerals, so it becomes a conductor
condensation inside a container should be pure, rain water is NOT always pure
it can collect dust particles from the air
anyway the container the OP has constructed is an excellent idea
pure water could act as insulator in a loose connection causing resistance to go up and create more heat