My turn for a C5!

[Hell Razor5543]

Can anybody tell me is silicon grease is electrically safe? My scooter (Julians' IX6) was 'mauled' by the people who 'fixed' it for him, using sealing mastic to secure the battery cover in place (that was 'interesting' removing it), and I have found some of the connections had become tarnished. I have used Servisol to clean them up, but she still won't turn on (so I am leaving the battery disconnected for a while, to see if that might help). I am considering using a smear of silicon grease in each connector to protect them against future water ingress.

I found that, as they had lost some of the original bolts, there was a diverse assortment holding the battery cover in place, and a self tapping screw helping secure the stand. I have got replacement bolts of the correct type to secure the battery cover, and am expecting a couple more for the stand.

[myglaren]

Traditional to use Vaseline James. No idea concerning silicone grease but someone might know.

I have some of this stuff that might be worth considering.

Q 20.
Only use it on locks but it looks like it might be suitable.

[mickthemaverick]

Silicone grease is an insulator not a conductor so no danger of short circuits via the grease. I personally would not use it between the post and terminal just over the whole thing once connected.

[myglaren]

Come to think of it, I use Vaseline on the pins of halogen lamps, it helps conduct the heat away and makes the bulbs last longer. Works too!
On 12V AC, 12V DC and 230V AC.

[CitroJim]

Vaseline for me too... Been using it on battery terminals since I was a teenager...

[mickthemaverick]

Vaseline for me too... Been using it on battery terminals since I was a teenager...

I used to use it on my bikes but by the time I left school I had found a better use for it!!

[Hell Razor5543]

Well I think I have found why the scooter will not power up. It looks like water has got into the controller. There is water staining on the circuit board. I have reached out to the supplier (as Julian received the scooter mid July last year), in the hope they will accept it is under warranty. A replacement controller is currently £90. If I can get this one fixed (or receive a replacement) I will use a proper silicon sealant to stop water getting into it, as the flimsy rubber 'seals' are not up to the task.

There was water staining in a lot of the connectors, but a shot of Servisol has cleaned them all up. However, when I connect the battery back up (it runs directly into the controller) there is a distinct 'CRACK', and the pins get slightly blackened. That is 1KW going into the controller (around 50V at 200W).

Watch this space for more exciting episodes (maybe)!

[Hell Razor5543]

OUCH!

Somebody just reversed into my C5! I was driving up a residential road in Reading this evening when I spotted a Skoda reversing out to my right. I leaned on the horn, stopped, but they didn't. Not a heavy impact, but the front right wheel was involved, and there is now a 'thrumming' when she is driven. I have dash cam footage, but I need a lot more photos of my C5 (the insurance company want 360 of the car, and I need some closeups of the wheel and the witness marks).

I was meant to be seeing Mum next week! Hopefully I will get a courtesy vehicle.

I hope that they don't want to write her off. I like that C5!

[CitroJim]

Oh James, that's bloody annoying Feel for you...

Here's hoping all will come good and the C5 can be fixed...

[myglaren]

James,
If you go through their insurance and they write it off, buy it back, it will be very cheap, and repair it with the payout money.
As I should have done with my Civic.

Actually, you shouldn't have to buy it back as it is still your car, as I found with my Accord. Drove it for a year and then used the payout for my first C5.

[PaulC5]

Sadly the market value for your car will not be much compared to the repair cost so chances are the insurance will want to write it off. The most they will pay out is the market value but if you keep it to repair yourself they will deduct its scrap value and give you the difference. I did this many years ago on a Maxi they wanted to write off and repaired it myself using s/h parts. Until I showed it was repaired and passed a new MOT they would only insure it again at scrap value. You might find new parts are not available anyway.

[Hell Razor5543]

I have heard from Avia (who are behind Quote Me Happy, who I am with), and they are wanting to go down the write-off route. I really want to keep her on the road if I can, as she is very comfortable and (unusually for an estate C5) has sports functionality on the suspension.

I have started talking to the mechanic who sorted the engine after the timing belt jumped a tooth. He said he can have a look at her soon. I am also trying to source the bodywork parts I need. Fortunately the wing bolts onto the car, so that makes things a lot easier.

[PaulC5]

I do not know what market value your insurer has but when getting insurance quotes for our 2007 C5 the comparison site showed values around £800. Our car has done 41k miles, not the 130k or so of yours (from the gov MOT check using the no. plate in your photo) so might be lower in value. I would have a look on autotrader to get some values to use when trying to agree a value since you do not have to accept theirs if you have evidence it should be higher.

[Hell Razor5543]

Well, that was an interesting drive down to Poole today. As I was passing Winchester on the M3 around lunchtime I noticed quite a few brake lights ahead coming on. Then I noticed a Fiat 500 in trouble, over-correcting a few times, before they completely lost it and spun a couple of times, before heading backwards towards an exit slip road. Fortunately, when it came to an eventual stop there were no vehicle impacts, but I am certain that the Fiats' driver had seriously stressed nerves (and possibly damaged clothing). I have dash cam footage, but it is not of great quality.

[Stickyfinger]

How is the insurance claim going ?