Hi Mod Mechanical Fitting Sealant
 

Do you reccomend to use a sealant inside a Hi Mod mechanical wire terminal to try to keep salt water out. Seems these fittings will collect salt water if used on the lower part of the wires. I have the instructions for these fittings and no mention is made of using a sealer, but seems like a good idea.
Regards

History
 

Hi,
Yes, I emphatically recommend sealant -- the right kind, and enough of it. The right kind is 3M's 4000, which sticks well to metal, but isn't so ridiculously tenacious that it makes disassembly traumatic. Enough of it means that, when you assemble, a bit squeezes out the end, so there's no place for water to gather.
This sealant is probably not necessary in England, where the terminals are made; the temperature and salinity there, plus the frequency of rain, slows corrosion way down. But I have already seen significant corrosion in Hi-Mod's that have spent time in warmer climes. The same thing happened, long ago, with Norseman fittings, and then Sta-lok"s. Those makers now recommend sealant (although too little of the wrong type), so history is repeating itself.
For what it is worth, the good people at Hayn don't object to sealant; they just don't understand, yet, how important it is.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Applying sealant to Hi Mod
 

Brion
The only dissimilar metal in the Hi Mod is the crown ring. If I fill the cavity inside the wire side fitting with the crown in place and screw the male part in do you think I would seal the whole wire side space inclucing the back side of the crown. Other wise I would be concerned that I have an occluded space behind the crown next to the wedge with water and reduced air which is perfect for crevice corrosion. I sure want to seal them but that is my concern. Thanks

Goodwinds
DaveM

Not a problem
 

Hi,

First of all, crevice corrosion is more likely to happen in the absence of sealant. Also chloride corrosion. Second, crevice corrosion only affects the stainless component here; what you might be thinking of is galvanic corrosion. This is also more likely to happen in the absence of sealant, but in any event the bronze, being less noble, would be the part to suffer. And no major loss if it did, as that ring is just an organizing bit, to distribute the strands and set wedge depth on assembly.
Seal correctly, and you eliminate air and water.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Filling Hi Mod with Sealant
 

Brion

Thanks for reply. For applying sealant to a Hi Mod is it sufficient to fill the fitting with the wires set in their socket with the crown ring in. Then scew in the male part squeezing the sealant up the wires around the crown and cone or do I need to put in sealant before I put in the crown ring and then fill that cavity before screwing in the male part. Reason I ask is I see having to put in sealant before crown ring would really be difficult and messy. Thanks

Goodwinds
DaveM

Process
 

Hi,
It is going to be messy in any event, but not necessarily difficult. Start with the crown ring in place. Use a conical tip on the tube or caulking gun tube, with a small hole at the tip. Push the tip as far into the terminal as it will go, and try injecting down past the ring. When it starts to back up, move over and repeat in a new space. Continue until all the interstices are full, then spooge your way out, nearly filling the cavity. When you screw things together, the caulk should just barely squeeze out the other end. If a lot squeezes out, inject a bit less next time. If none squeezes out, disassemble, shoot some more in, and reassemble. Next time, squeeze a bit more in to begin with. Either way, it's a matter of calibration.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Thanks
 

Brion

Thanks a bunch. Your way is a lot better than I was thinking.

Goodwinds
DaveM

Brion,
Thanks for all your advice. Do you recommend mechanical fittings or swage? For swage fittings do you recommend filling with 4000 sealant prior to swaging?
Regards