Corroded 7-pin no more

[mr_andyj]

This was my solution which I did last year, so am pretty confident it is a good fix.

Your 7-pin trailer plug gets all corroded with green algae-looking mess then it will not work right. You have lights that do not light, brakes that do not work, battery that does not charge...

I simply put a circuit breaker between the plug and the camper battery. When in storage I can break the connection so the 7-pin plug has no voltage connected to it from the battery.
I used a 30 amp one like this circuit breaker
Link just for example.

Now there is no electrical potential at the plug during damp days and night. I have not experienced any corrosion.

With solar I often do not need to be connected to the alternator when driving, so can use this circuit breaker as a switch to choose also.

Cheers.

[Jarlaxle]

I just coat the terminals with grease. Never corrodes.

[Dave_H_M]

X3 plug guard

[mr_andyj]

I just use a breaker to disconnect the 12 volt positive from the battery. No more issues.

[Dick_B]

A long time ago I had to drill out the sockets of my connector to make it work. One might try Corrosion X.

[wa8yxm]

De-Ox-It The 2 part GOLD system also helps

I liked to keep it dry.

[valhalla360]

ScottG wrote:
It will happily corrode with no voltage present.
You just need to keep it dry.

Yep, copper roofs with a green patina is a thing and most people aren't wiring their copper roofs up.

We'll have to see how it holds up but on our new trailer, there is a holder mounted on the a-frame that leaves the plug facing down. In theory, that should keep most of the water out.

If you use it regularly, the copper oxide tends to get worn off as you plug in regularly. Otherwise consider a bit of dielectric grease.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Or CAIG De Oxit S100L Shield.

Apply to cleaned contacts, dunk it in seawater, let it sit on the dock and a few months later it has maintained millivolt connectivity. This is not Herb Tarlick BS it comes from personal experience. The downside is the cost. S100L is the 100% pure grade of this stuff.

I wish I had a gallon of it.

[bob213]

Lynnmor wrote:
Use a Plug-Guard

X2
Keeps it clean and off the ground where it can get damaged.

[Lynnmor]

Use a Plug-Guard

[ScottG]

It will happily corrode with no voltage present.
You just need to keep it dry.

[SDcampowneroper]

Corrosion and moisture can do strange things. Many moons ago, our TT was stored for winter in the back yard. , no power but battery. One wet snowy night the running lights came on powered off the battery!
Went out and shook the wet snow out of the 7 pin to shut them off. Since then I try to remember to keep the plug high and spray it and truck socket with dielectric grease a couple times a year.

[Lwiddis]

Replacing the 7 pin connector is just a routine maintenance IMO. My 2015 Tahoe “complained” about a bad connector, so I’m sure the 2020 1500 will too someday.