During a press conference held in conjunction with the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) 2013 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, Phillips Industries presented its newest product innovation designed to fight the harmful effects of corrosion buildup in the electrical systems of commercial vehicles, the patented STA-DRY QCMS2 (Quick Connect Modular System). Phillips has been the leader in testing and introducing new technology developed specifically to seal the electrical system from contaminants and debris. Its expanding line of STA-DRY sockets, plugs, noseboxes, terminals and electrical harnesses offer fleets the best solution to protecting their electrical systems from corrosion damage.
The most common warranty claims for seven-way connections are due to complete loss of electrical function on the “blue” circuit. This loss of function happens because of corrosion brought on by three primary reasons – lack of maintenance, water and chemical deicer intrusion, and constant current passing through the “blue” circuit as long as the tractor’s key is in the “on” position. “Phillips thought that the most intriguing point regarding the failure at the seven-way connection, is that it happens more frequently at the tractor union,” says Megan Vincent, Phillips Marketing. Regulations for the SAE J560 do not call for a watertight connection, and with many connectors being constructed in different sizes for compatibility purposes, it leaves a considerable gap between the plug and socket connection, where contaminants easily enter. According to top fleet maintenance experts, the seven-way union on the tractor side is disconnected and cleaned 99% less than the trailer seven-way union. Combine the gap in the connection and improper maintenance with the inevitable water intrusion and you have a recipe for corrosion.
Phillips' new modular socket/plug hybrid, the QCMS2, is semi-hardwired to the tractor creating a complete seal at the seven-way connection. By removing the socket from the union, the QCMS2 mates directly with Phillips STA-DRY QCS or QCS2 (Quick Connect Socket) boot (standard on most tractor OEMs), so there is no break or gap where moisture can enter.
As an integral part of their STA-DRY product development, Phillips engineers have designed a test stand based on real-world conditions. Their Electrified Salt Tank Test exposes samples to a continuous spray of brine solution through an irrigation system while electrical currents pass through the product. This test reproduces field results showing corrosion at 120 hours on traditional J560 designs; the Phillips QCMS2 and the QCS2 remain corrosion free and without water intrusion in the same conditions.
