Butt ends for bow and stern lights; which ones?

[Cool Hand Luke]

Which butt ends would you recommend for bow (red and green) and stern (white) lights? I popped the plastic casing/housing off and the cable is SOOOO corroded and the butt end just vaporized into dust as soon as I touched it. Is there a way to prevent something like this from happening in the future? Or, am I just stuck with corrosion being on salt water?

Thanks for any input!

[Cheechako]

If you mean wire joiners/butt connectors I would use the type with the built in shrink tube. The good ones exude goo when heated and seal up real well.
The trouble at this point may be that the copper is discolored and a bit corroded inches into the sire form moisture wicking in there. If you redo any wiring get Anchor tinned wire or any tinned wire I suppose.

[Uncle Bob]

Potted led nav lights, fully sealed for life supplied with cable length which allows you to connect inside or in an appropriate sealed junction box below decks. No more corrosion problems.

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Potted led nav lights, fully sealed for life supplied with cable length which allows you to connect inside or in an appropriate sealed junction box below decks. No more corrosion problems.

Exactly! Replace once and you never have to worry about them again. I installed my first LED nav lights about 12 years ago and have never had to change a bulb, or deal with corrosion, since.

BTW, those are SIDE lights, combined in one fixture on the bow. There's technically no such thing as a bow light. Sorry, I get a little nerdish about the Nav Rules.

[CarinaPDX]

If you don't want to pay for the expensive Ancor brand adhesive-lined butt connectors at West then head on over to Harbor Freight. I stocked up a few years ago, and assume they still carry them.

Greg

[Cool Hand Luke]

Thanks guys!! I'll post pics on Friday when I go back to the marina.