Optimizing your electrical system spring maintenance schedule 

Optimizing your electrical system spring maintenance schedule 

The seven-way connection is the most prone area to the onset of corrosion.

Spring is the time most fleets plan significant maintenance duties for their trucks and trailers.  In a vast portion of the U.S. and certainly, in Canada, the winter weather can play havoc on commercial vehicles, especially on their electrical systems. Vehicles have enormous demand to stay up and running as much as possible, especially in the coming summer months, so maximizing spring maintenance duties impacts the bottom line and customer satisfaction – there are no positives to unscheduled downtime. 

During winter weather the electrical system is exposed to corrosion-causing moisture and de-icing chemicals. The seven-way connection is the most prone area to the onset of corrosion which can easily make its way through the connection and into the electrical system. When corrosion has gone beyond a surface removal fix, it is best to replace it with new components. But, as a short-term solution, electrical lines can be repaired for damage by cutting out the corrosion and any affected portion of the wiring. 

Choosing this route, there are some basic rules to follow to ensure that repairs are completed correctly and safely to restore electrical integrity to connections:

  • Remove corrosion in the wiring by cutting back past the corroded area. Clean terminals and connections, adding anti-corrosive di-electric grease to ensure a clean and corrosion-free connection.  
  • Make complete contact. When replacing a terminal or splicing wires together, the only way to create a solid electrical connection is to ensure that the wires make full contact. When splicing wires, use quality heat shrink terminals for mechanical reliability that seal a connection and prevent wire pull-out and corrosion. Phillips’ line of Sta-Dry Clear-Vu Crimp and Seal wire terminals provides visual wire insertion for proper seating.
  • Use heat shrink tubing around repairs to create a corrosion-resistant barrier between cable/wiring and the elements, making corrosion work harder to get in.
  • Clear-Vu battery cable used in the liftgate system provides visibility of corrosion. Traditional jacketing hides corrosion making it harder to locate and diagnose potential problems within the charging system.
  • Make sure that all connections are tight. Correctly crimping or securing terminals to their posts on the vehicle is critical to maintaining a solid electrical connection.

When maintenance and repair are not enough, replacing cables and connections is the most surefire way to guarantee they are corrosion-free. 

Leaving corroded metal plugs and sockets installed increases the likelihood of corrosion migrating throughout the electrical system. Phillips Industries recommends weather-proof plugs and sockets with non-corrosive nylon and molded housings which help prevent corrosion from entering the electrical system. The over-molding process creates a seal at the back of the connector, making it impossible for moisture and debris to enter the back of the connection. Nylon composite and rubberized materials are just as, or even more, durable than metal connections, with the added benefit of non-corrosive attributes. 

Ideally, adopting weather-proof over-molded connections will ensure that this spring’s maintenance work on the electrical system will have long-term payback by reducing any unscheduled downtime during the busiest seasons and reducing future preventive maintenance hours. The bottom line—stay on top of your maintenance processes, and do it right the first time, and you’ll keep your customers, drivers, and maintenance teams happy. 

You May Also Like

Used truck sales uncharacteristically high in August

Compared to July, average retail price increased 1%, while miles and age both declined 1%.

Preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales volumes surged by 14% month-over-month in August, according to the latest numbers from ACT Research. ACT found that compared to July's numbers, average retail price increased 1%, while miles and age both declined 1%. Compared to August of 2022, volumes improved by 6%, while price declined 26%, miles declined 3%, and age declined 4%, ACT notes.

August Class 8 truck orders the best month since February

This represents the highest monthly performance since February and the third consecutive month with orders exceeding 20,000 units.

Photo Gallery: Driving Volvo Trucks electric European lineup

Behind the wheel of Volvo Trucks’s zero-emissions European lineup and what it might mean for the U.S.

ITS-ME-vtc_electric1143-1400
Transportation Insurance Experts (TIE) announces partnership with DDC FPO for data entry solutions

By leveraging DDC FPO, TIE says it can achieve enhanced accuracy in handling policy information, claims data, and more.

Kenworth announces semi-finalists for 2023 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award

This year’s program semi-finalists represent each branch of the United States Military, including the National Guard and Reserve.

Semi-Finalist-driver-for-excellence-1400

Other Posts

Mullen’s first Class 3 production vehicles roll off the assembly line

Class 3 production capacity at Mullen’s Tunica facility is currently planned at 3,000 vehicles annually per shift.

The progression of commercial vehicle technician education

Demonstrating their understanding at every station, the highly skilled technicians took pride in their work.

GenH2 joins California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC) Trade Association

The membership-based trade association is comprised of over 140 companies, agencies, and individuals involved in the business of hydrogen.

Answering the biggest zero-emissions trucks questions

Volvo Trucks fields questions from what type of zero-emissions technology will work for certain applications and how it impact fleets.

Roger-Alm-Jessica-Sandstrom-Volvo-Trucks-1400