Can a hot engine cause melted connectors?

[rapid van cleef]

a request for some knowledge....

whilst sitting in heavy traffic recently, the bike was getting hot, upto 118 deg C. when i stopped and went to disconnect the radar detector , i noticed that the power plug for it( like that on the end of a telephone cable) had kinda melted and deformed, but it still worked, when it cooled down of course getting the power plug in and out has become a pain in the arse as the melting had deformed the plug.

so i filed the deformed bits of plastic down on the plug to make it fit smoother.

could the bike running hot cause this?

there are no other elecrical issues on the bike

thanks folks

[HQfiend]

All depends on where your radar detector is positioned. I have been running one on 2 of my bikes and in my cars for over 5 years and have never had a RJ45 melt/deform. I would suggest either directed/magnified sunlight or corrosion creating resistance on the connector causing it to heat up and melt. Check the gold connector pins are clean and gold coloured, also the corresponding pins in the bel/valentine are clean. Use either contact cleaner or meths on a cotton bud to clean if dirty/corroded or replace lead.

[rapid van cleef]

All depends on where your radar detector is positioned. I have been running one on 2 of my bikes and in my cars for over 5 years and have never had a RJ45 melt/deform. I would suggest either directed/magnified sunlight or corrosion creating resistance on the connector causing it to heat up and melt. Check the gold connector pins are clean and gold coloured, also the corresponding pins in the bel/valentine are clean. Use either contact cleaner or meths on a cotton bud to clean if dirty/corroded or replace lead.

the radar detector was on a tank mount, in direct sunlight, on a hot day. ive only had the hardwire on my bike for around 6 months and never had an issue before.

there was definetly no corrosion present.

by gold conector pins do you mean the + tve and -tve on the battery?

[FJRider]

by gold conector pins do you mean the + tve and -tve on the battery?

I think he means the gold conecting pins inside the plugs (male/female) that connect the unit to the power source lead.

Although it sounds more like a voltage issue ... ie: regulator problem. An auto sparky could confirm/refute that ... quite quickly too ...

[Wannabiker]

If it were drawing enough current to deform the plug you would know...the fuse (you do have one dont you) would blow, and the wire would most likely melt as well.

Be aware that sunlight shining thru the screen can concentrate on an area like a magnifying glass. Double bubble screens can be bad for this. Have seen melted dash panels because of this. Could be that your plug has been at the focal point while sittting in bright sunlight.

[avgas]

1) Put bike in shed at night
2) Leave radar on for 5 mins
3) Touch RJ plug and check if warm

If its warm is electrical problem.
If not is most like some kind windshield focal point.

You can have electrical faults that melt plastic that don't blow fuses. A circuit running at 90% fuse capacity will take days to blow the fuse. But I am still guess its something else.

[notme]

As others have said, it's highly unlikely to be electrical in nature, more likely external heat.

the radar detector was on a tank mount, in direct sunlight, on a hot day.

I'd be surprised at sunlight being the cause too, as you would have had to sit for quite a while without moving forwards or backwards, changing the angle of the bike etc. Even a small change in position will move the hotspot caused by a lens. Engine heat is most likely.

Was it also directly above an engine vent? Is the radiator on your bike in the front, are there fairings that might direct the heat to the detector? You should be able to narrow this one down pretty easily as avgas suggests - with the bike cold and out of the sun, power up the detector (bike not running) and leave it 15-30 mins. Turn your headlights off or pull the fuse so you don't drain the battery too much. If the plug gets hot, it's electrical.
If not, next try wheeling the bike outside on a sunny day and put your bare hand near the detector, specifically the plug. If you yell and scream, its sunlight.
If not, start the engine and get it up to temp, then put your hand near the detector. If you now feel heat rising, especially near the plug, you've found the problem.

[rapid van cleef]

As others have said, it's highly unlikely to be electrical in nature, more likely external heat.




I'd be surprised at sunlight being the cause too, as you would have had to sit for quite a while without moving forwards or backwards, changing the angle of the bike etc. Even a small change in position will move the hotspot caused by a lens. Engine heat is most likely.

Was it also directly above an engine vent? Is the radiator on your bike in the front, are there fairings that might direct the heat to the detector? You should be able to narrow this one down pretty easily as avgas suggests - with the bike cold and out of the sun, power up the detector (bike not running) and leave it 15-30 mins. Turn your headlights off or pull the fuse so you don't drain the battery too much. If the plug gets hot, it's electrical.
If not, next try wheeling the bike outside on a sunny day and put your bare hand near the detector, specifically the plug. If you yell and scream, its sunlight.
If not, start the engine and get it up to temp, then put your hand near the detector. If you now feel heat rising, especially near the plug, you've found the problem.

well the detector i have is a escort passport 8500. i left it on in the garage connected to the bike for around 30 + minutes. The detector itself was warm on the bottom, but the plug was not hot or anywhere near melting point.

next to leave it on in the sun in the garden!

thanks for the tips guys

[notme]

just a note - it doesn't need to be ON in the sunlight, we just need to test the lens theory

Also, it is recommended practice to have approximately 355 mls of carbonated malt beverage handy when conducting this test on a nice sunny day.
I prefer Heinekken...

[rapid van cleef]

i thought this problem had just gone away. alas. i powered up me bike on sunday arvo and went to plug in the detector within like 5 mins of the engine idling as i put my helmet etc on and locked the garage, bugger me, the plug was so hot it melted the tip of me finger!

once it was plugged in and the detector turned on, it cooled down very fast.

the hardwire does have a fuse on it. i was thinking, should i get an accessorie hub thingy to plug my RD into and also maybe heated grips etc( i dont have these yet but probably will do) ive had a hunt around, but cant find one. i have found ciggy sockets that can be mounted to the bars etc. but not sure about running more than 1 thing off them

solutions folks/ suggestions?

thanks

[nadroj]

Where is the plug when not plugged into the detector? Any contact with a conductive surface may cause heat build up if the plug is not clean & conductors clear of making contact with other surfaces.

[rapid van cleef]

thanks for the reply. when not pluged in, it isusually sitting inside my tank bag.......all nice n soft not conducting surfaces in there

[davebullet]

1) Put bike in shed at night
2) Leave radar on for 5 mins
3) Touch RJ plug and check if warm

If its warm is electrical problem.
If not is most like some kind windshield focal point.

You can have electrical faults that melt plastic that don't blow fuses. A circuit running at 90% fuse capacity will take days to blow the fuse. But I am still guess its something else.

But.. can he use a torch to see what he is doing? Must he also ATGATT even if not riding?

[slofox]

i was thinking, should i get an accessorie hub thingy to plug my RD into and also maybe heated grips etc( i dont have these yet but probably will do) ive had a hunt around, but cant find one. i have found ciggy sockets that can be mounted to the bars etc. but not sure about running more than 1 thing off them

solutions folks/ suggestions?

thanks

I made up one of THESE to plug accessories into. Works a treat.

If I can do it, anybody can.