I've been following this issue for years. Does anyone manufacturer a replacement 30 or 50-amp shore power plug that's rated for wet locations (at campgrounds!)?
When I replace a cord end I use a liberal application of liquid electrical tape. Around where the cord enters the plug, around the seam between the two halves, and the screw holes, and (carefully) where the contacts insert through the plug body. If you seal all possible openings it is somewhat wet capable. As a test I made a cord end with a scrap piece of cord. Coated it with liquid tape (note: it may take several coats, with dry time in between, to get a good seal) and dunked it in a bucket of water for 10 seconds. When I took it apart it was dry inside. This may not make it watertight but it should be good enough for exposure to rain. Plus the cord end is often shielded by the cover of the electrical box, giving additional protection.
Attack this issue differently. I carry a spare 30A plug, BUT I got one that has a pigtail. Would require splicing the cable, so shrink wrap is good to have, but doesn't say "dry location". See https://a.co/d/fKZnoUH on Amazon. Scott
Heat shrink tubing would be a good solution for the second scenario listed, but there’s no way to slide it over the plug body. I use self-sealing silicon tape for my own cords, so I’ll make a video on how that works…
The same problem exists if you replace the 7 pin trailer to tow vehicle connector. Mine was damaged when I drove over a chunk of delaminated truck tire. The 7-pin connector is definitely exposed to wet conditions while driving (or being parked) in the rain. It’s probably a good practice to put a plastic bag over it when not using it. I’m guessing that this is not a major problem unless you live near the ocean or in a high humidity location in which case corrosion could set in. Sealing the back end of the connector with Silicone would seem to be a good option.
When I replace a cord end I use a liberal application of liquid electrical tape. Around where the cord enters the plug, around the seam between the two halves, and the screw holes, and (carefully) where the contacts insert through the plug body. If you seal all possible openings it is somewhat wet capable. As a test I made a cord end with a scrap piece of cord. Coated it with liquid tape (note: it may take several coats, with dry time in between, to get a good seal) and dunked it in a bucket of water for 10 seconds. When I took it apart it was dry inside. This may not make it watertight but it should be good enough for exposure to rain. Plus the cord end is often shielded by the cover of the electrical box, giving additional protection.
Attack this issue differently. I carry a spare 30A plug, BUT I got one that has a pigtail. Would require splicing the cable, so shrink wrap is good to have, but doesn't say "dry location". See https://a.co/d/fKZnoUH on Amazon. Scott
Would a layer or two of heat shrink tubing be effective?
Heat shrink tubing would be a good solution for the second scenario listed, but there’s no way to slide it over the plug body. I use self-sealing silicon tape for my own cords, so I’ll make a video on how that works…
The same problem exists if you replace the 7 pin trailer to tow vehicle connector. Mine was damaged when I drove over a chunk of delaminated truck tire. The 7-pin connector is definitely exposed to wet conditions while driving (or being parked) in the rain. It’s probably a good practice to put a plastic bag over it when not using it. I’m guessing that this is not a major problem unless you live near the ocean or in a high humidity location in which case corrosion could set in. Sealing the back end of the connector with Silicone would seem to be a good option.