Does this optimate connector need waterproofing?

[Beans]

I've bought a converter cable that adapts the old style optimate tm plug to the new sae plug. As it connects to the end of the existing lead, which is permanently exposed but usually sealed with a waterproof cap, I'm wondering if I need to do something to weatherproof this new connection. Its the white connectors shown at the bottom of this pic:

 

Do I need to get some heatshrink or sheathing over it, or cover it in tape? Its going to be a permanent fixture. The connection is good and tight, I'm just wondering how it will stand up to rain, washing and rear wheel spray given its hanging out there.

[raesewell]

Just plug it into the old one when you need to use it.

[Beans]

I could yes. Its got a battery indicator display built in to the usb charger that goes on the sae end, that shows how much charge the battery has whether or not the usb charger is actually being used. It would be slightly more convenient just to leave that in situ. That end is well sealed, its just this intermediate connection that I can't suss out if its waterproof

[fastbob]

Isn't that end buried deep within the bike and therefore no more susceptible to water ingress than any other electrical connection ?

[Beans]

No Bob. That end hangs outside of the bike, so you can connect a charger easily

[Beans]

[Mr Fro]

rsz_20180821_185002.jpgrsz_20180821_185018.jpg

 

That's waaaaay untidy Beans. You need to stick that under the seat or something.

/ocd

[Fleck]

Mine is under the seat. I think the cap is just to keep muck out, it won't do anything electrically if it gets wet. Might corrode eventually.

[fastbob]

No Bob. That end hangs outside of the bike, so you can connect a charger easily

 

The OTHER end . Like the OP says , the WHITE end at the bottom of the picture.

[fastbob]

I've bought a converter cable that adapts the old style optimate tm plug to the new sae plug. As it connects to the end of the existing lead, which is permanently exposed but usually sealed with a waterproof cap, I'm wondering if I need to do something to weatherproof this new connection. Its the white connectors shown at the bottom of this pic:38070167.jpg

Do I need to get some heatshrink or sheathing over it, or cover it in tape? Its going to be a permanent fixture. The connection is good and tight, I'm just wondering how it will stand up to rain, washing and rear wheel spray given its hanging out there.

Sounds like you're asking permission, if you want to tape it up or heat shrink it just go ahead , what's the worst that can happen ?

[Guest]

I've bought a converter cable that adapts the old style optimate tm plug to the new sae plug. As it connects to the end of the existing lead, which is permanently exposed but usually sealed with a waterproof cap, I'm wondering if I need to do something to weatherproof this new connection. Its the white connectors shown at the bottom of this pic:38070167.jpg

Do I need to get some heatshrink or sheathing over it, or cover it in tape? Its going to be a permanent fixture. The connection is good and tight, I'm just wondering how it will stand up to rain, washing and rear wheel spray given its hanging out there.

Just keep the new cable under the seat and only connect it when you're actually charging the battery. Job done.

Edited to add: What Raesewell said above. Duh - must stop jumping in. My bad.

[mikestrivens]

Why not just get a SAE lead connected directly to the battery, Do away with the little white connection altogether and one less connection to go wrong.

[Tango]

I tuck mine away under the seat when I'm riding......then just pop the seat and connect it to the optimate when I get home......easy peasy......

[mikestrivens]

I tuck mine away under the seat when I'm riding......then just pop the seat and connect it to the optimate when I get home......easy peasy......

 

ditto

[Tiggie]

I tuck mine away under the seat when I'm riding

 

Show off

[Beans]

.. The connection is good and tight, I'm just wondering how it will stand up to rain, washing and rear wheel spray given its hanging out there.

Sounds like you're asking permission, if you want to tape it up or heat shrink it just go ahead , what's the worst that can happen ?

I was asking if that style of connection needed waterproofing but yeah I could just cover it in insulation tape

[Beans]

Why not just get a SAE lead connected directly to the battery, Do away with the little white connection altogether and one less connection to go wrong.

 

Because I just bought a converter, mike

[fastbob]

.. The connection is good and tight, I'm just wondering how it will stand up to rain, washing and rear wheel spray given its hanging out there.

Sounds like you're asking permission, if you want to tape it up or heat shrink it just go ahead , what's the worst that can happen ?

I was asking if that style of connection needed waterproofing but yeah I could just cover it in insulation tape

Enjoy, remember to tuck the end under on the roll so you can find it next time.

[mikestrivens]

Why not just get a SAE lead connected directly to the battery, Do away with the little white connection altogether and one less connection to go wrong.

 

Because I just bought a converter, mike

 

return it and get the correct one

[fastbob]

I've bought a converter cable that adapts the old style optimate tm plug to the new sae plug. As it connects to the end of the existing lead, which is permanently exposed but usually sealed with a waterproof cap, I'm wondering if I need to do something to weatherproof this new connection. Its the white connectors shown at the bottom of this pic:38070167.jpg

Do I need to get some heatshrink or sheathing over it, or cover it in tape? Its going to be a permanent fixture. The connection is good and tight, I'm just wondering how it will stand up to rain, washing and rear wheel spray given its hanging out there.

 

I must be missing something here. Why not just stick the opimate lead on the battery and have the charging port in it's waterproof rubber cover hanging out wherever you want it ? As previously mentioned, why buy a converter when you could avoid all this hassle by simply buying the correct lead ?

[Beans]

I've bought a converter cable that adapts the old style optimate tm plug to the new sae plug. As it connects to the end of the existing lead, which is permanently exposed but usually sealed with a waterproof cap, I'm wondering if I need to do something to weatherproof this new connection. Its the white connectors shown at the bottom of this pic:38070167.jpg

Do I need to get some heatshrink or sheathing over it, or cover it in tape? Its going to be a permanent fixture. The connection is good and tight, I'm just wondering how it will stand up to rain, washing and rear wheel spray given its hanging out there.

 

I must be missing something here. Why not just stick the opimate lead on the battery and have the charging port in it's waterproof rubber cover hanging out wherever you want it ? As previously mentioned, why buy a converter when you could avoid all this hassle by simply buying the correct lead ?

It started out as me wanting to charge a phone whilst riding. I was caught out with a phone that went flat using Google maps. So I got told that the existing socket on my bike was an optimate, but with an old-style TM plug. I then googled tm to usb and the optimate lead such a search returns is in 2 parts: TM to SAE, which we're discussing here, then SAE TO USB which I have to say is lovely and watertight. Exhibit A: https://www.optimate.co.uk/products/o100-tm-usb-charger

It didn't dawn on me at the point of ordering said lead, to wonder if the TM/SAE end was also waterproof. With the benefit of hindsight...

It then, upon receipt and fitting, did occur to me to question the robustness of this. It seemed an innocent and reasonable thing to wonder, if the TM SAE connection, because its so solid, is also able to survive exposure to the elements. Rather than finding out the hard way when my phone wouldn't charge, say, I posed this question instead to the assembled lynch party here in all good faith. I was hoping for a "yeah its good enough to last as it is", with a worse case answer being "get some heatshrink/tape/etc over it"

I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition but I take full responsibility for the situation and having discarded the package I guess I have to make the best of it.

. My bad.

[fastbob]

I've bought a converter cable that adapts the old style optimate tm plug to the new sae plug. As it connects to the end of the existing lead, which is permanently exposed but usually sealed with a waterproof cap, I'm wondering if I need to do something to weatherproof this new connection. Its the white connectors shown at the bottom of this pic:38070167.jpg

Do I need to get some heatshrink or sheathing over it, or cover it in tape? Its going to be a permanent fixture. The connection is good and tight, I'm just wondering how it will stand up to rain, washing and rear wheel spray given its hanging out there.

 

I must be missing something here. Why not just stick the opimate lead on the battery and have the charging port in it's waterproof rubber cover hanging out wherever you want it ? As previously mentioned, why buy a converter when you could avoid all this hassle by simply buying the correct lead ?

It started out as me wanting to charge a phone whilst riding. I was caught out with a phone that went flat using Google maps. So I got told that the existing socket on my bike was an optimate, but with an old-style TM plug. I then googled tm to usb and the optimate lead such a search returns is in 2 parts: TM to SAE, which we're discussing here, then SAE TO USB which I have to say is lovely and watertight. Exhibit A: https://www.optimate.co.uk/products/o100-tm-usb-charger

It didn't dawn on me at the point of ordering said lead, to wonder if the TM/SAE end was also waterproof. With the benefit of hindsight...

It then, upon receipt and fitting, did occur to me to question the robustness of this. It seemed an innocent and reasonable thing to wonder, if the TM SAE connection, because its so solid, is also able to survive exposure to the elements. Rather than finding out the hard way when my phone wouldn't charge, say, I posed this question instead to the assembled lynch party here in all good faith. I was hoping for a "yeah its good enough to last as it is", with a worse case answer being "get some heatshrink/tape/etc over it"

I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition but I take full responsibility for the situation and having discarded the package I guess I have to make the best of it.

. My bad.

 

Mate, nobody expects the Spanish inquisition !

Edited September 28, 2018 by fastbob

[fastbob]

Now you've gone and done it, we'll have to have the whole " Can I charge my phone when I'm riding along without it blowing up " debate all over again. I've just got a fag lighter style socket from Poundland with a couple of washers soldered on the wires and stuck under the battery bolts . It cost a pound.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

Now you've gone and done it, we'll have to have the whole " Can I charge my phone when I'm riding along without it blowing up " debate all over again. I've just got a fag lighter style socket from Poundland with a couple of washers soldered on the wires and stuck under the battery bolts . It cost a pound.

 

Which just proves that most issues can be easily resolved if you're willing to chuck a shedload of money at it. A whole pound!