Electrics and rain

[Phil C]

Afternoon everyone,

Unlike when I was a lad, I don't take the bike out when it's raining. But of course it's possible to get caught out in a shower, or worse.

So I was just thinking: the oil feed tap (see photos), which I'm about to fit below the oil tank on my 1965 B40F, has electrical connections.  Electrically, the tap is placed between the coil and the ignition switch (see diagram) so that when the oil tap is turned off the current between the coil and the ignition switch is interrupted, but when it's  turned on they're connected again. The idea is to prevent you starting the bike with the oil feed turned off. 

The tap is open to the elements, including potentially rain of course. I don't know much about electrics, but I know that electricity and water aren't usually a good combination. Are there any possible problems here, and if so any suitable solutions?

Phil

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Phil,

It looks like the wires will be behind the switch so reasonably well protected.  As an extra precaution you could smear a bit of silicon sealer on to seal where the wires go in to the switch or just some vaseline just to keep the water out. Vaseline would be easier to clean off if you needed to get to the screws so perhaps better than the silicon.

Dave.

[Spaceman]

Ideally, the switch should be weatherproof and IP non-zero rated. If not, it might be a good idea to apply protection such as by self amalgamating tape otherwise the innards might corrode over time leading to poor electrical connections.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

I find that self amalgamating tape does not like any oil on it.  It seems to go mushy and is probably made from oil so reacts with it so maybe not ideal for use on an oil line and near an oil tank.  If really worried then smear some silicon sealant all over it.  Good clear bathroom stuff will do it. 

Dave.

[Phil C]

If water did get in, what's the worst that could happen?   Phil

[Spaceman]

As said, if water gets in, it may lead to corrosion of the electrical contacts inside the switch resulting in it failing to work at some point.

[Spaceman]

ps. didn't mean to include the diagram!!

[chaz]

as mentioned before, with the Virago and its lower electrical switch which switches reserve on, sat in the elements and not getting used very often does seize up. this then stops reserve being available to use.

[cdsdorset]

You can still get spray on ignition sealer as used on old distributors and ht leads.
You could also probably fit some heat shrink on the lower half of the switch.

[Phil C]

Ideally, the switch should be weatherproof and IP non-zero rated. If not, it might be a good idea to apply protection such as by self amalgamating tape otherwise the innards might corrode over time leading to poor electrical connections.

It's IP67 apparently.

[Spaceman]

That's just what you need - it's a pity they didn't make that a bit clearer in their sales literature!

[Phil C]

Would be better I guess if the openings for the wires were on the bottom (which the manufacturer seems to think they are) rather than on the side, but anyway hopefully it'll be okay. I don't know if the expected position of the holes affects the IP rating (never heard of IP ratings until this.)
Phil

[Spaceman]

IP67 means its fully protected from dust (6) and protected from 30 mins immersion in water (7) - it doesn't matter where the terminals are if its IP67 rated!

[Phil C]

Thanks very much spacemen, very useful to know.

Phil