Other alternative like Noalox on copper

[FlipFlopDude]

I'm doing the electrical work on a boat and have a quick question.
I've been doing this forever and always follow the best practices recommended by the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) to ensure safe and reliable electrical systems. One of the things I do is seal electrical connections with adhesive heat shrink tubing whenever possible. This creates a really strong, waterproof seal that protects the wires from corrosion (which is important here).
However, sometimes it's impossible to use heat shrink tubing, like when we're connecting the tinned copper wires to the steel terminals of the circuit breakers. This makes the connection is exposed to the sea air, which can lead to corrosion over time. If we were working with aluminum wire instead of copper, I would use noalox on copper. You know it can prevents corrosion between dissimilar metals, like aluminum and steel right.
My question is, is there a similar product designed to prevent corrosion specifically for tinned copper or plain copper connections to steel in an exposed marine environment? I just want to make sure to use the best possible solution for this.

 

[Borderlander88]

I'm doing the electrical work on a boat and have a quick question.
I've been doing this forever and always follow the best practices recommended by the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) to ensure safe and reliable electrical systems. One of the things I do is seal electrical connections with adhesive heat shrink tubing whenever possible. This creates a really strong, waterproof seal that protects the wires from corrosion (which is important here).
However, sometimes it's impossible to use heat shrink tubing, like when we're connecting the tinned copper wires to the steel terminals of the circuit breakers. This makes the connection is exposed to the sea air, which can lead to corrosion over time. If we were working with aluminum wire instead of copper, I would use noalox on copper. You know it can prevents corrosion between dissimilar metals, like aluminum and steel right.
My question is, is there a similar product designed to prevent corrosion specifically for tinned copper or plain copper connections to steel in an exposed marine environment? I just want to make sure to use the best possible solution for this.

Not an expert but i would probably use some good marine dielectric grease made to stop rust. someone from here might have a better reco but that's for me. good luck!

 

[FlipFlopDude]

@Borderlander88 thanks man, that's actually interesting. any recommended brands?

 

[PGB1]

I would advise to avoid dielectric grease. The word "dielectric" indicated that it "conducts electrical force without conduction". In other words: An insulator. We've Hi-Pot tested dielectric grease and it does, indeed, provide resistance.

On copper, I do use standard oxide inhibiting paste. No-Alox is fine for your project. It has zinc which makes a good sacrificial metal (anode). Penetrox A-13 is also excellent. Look on the brand's SDS sheet for the presence of zinc.

The way it works on aluminum is to provide a sacrificial anode (zinc), plus it seals out moisture & oxygen, plus contaminants. I'm sure that you have seen oxidized copper. For copper-to-copper the anode effect is still available to slow that. The moisture/oxugen sealing is still active. For copper-to-brass, we don't need the anode benefit, but the moisture sealing is a bonus.

In addition, those bearing zinc actually enhance conduction (lowering resistance). Be sure to brush it into the strands well.

I use anti-oxidant paste on high voltage terminals which are exposed to the weather all day and night. They also get salt spray from roads. As high as 15 feet in the air salt gets caked on. I also use it on fasteners, fuse blades and similar metal-to-metal junctions.

Hope This Helps!
Paul