Water and Electricity!

[NTBooth]

Not normally a great combination!

But I have to ask the question...The power socket on my DL650 - can this be used in the rain? I'm thinking not....but I'm hoping that I'm wrong.

[greywolf]

Usually, it can as long as the water is clean. Salt in the water will cause problems but it will affect the rest of the bike's wiring too. An anti corrosion grease like ACF50 will help protect connections. It isn't the water that causes problems with electrics, it's what is dissolved in the water.

[Barbel Mick]

 Why not? The rest of the electrics on the bike get wet! 
Having said that I'd do as GW says and try and protect it with some spray or gease.

[Gert]

As far as using a power socket in the rain, it would depend in the location and direction of the power socket and of course how hard it is raining. Imagine a U shape for the socket and water getting into it without a drain hole at the bottom. The socket will eventually fill  over time to the point were the fuse would blow. Now take that same U shape, insert a plug that is a tight fit or has some sort of seal or waterproof skirt, water would not easily get in to the socket. Just a thought...

[Rich:-)]

Imagine a U shape for the socket and water getting into it without a drain hole at the bottom. The socket will eventually fill  over time to the point were the fuse would blow.

I doubt the fuse would ever blow for rain water. It'd need to flow around 20 amps, if you've ever played around with a HHO generator you'd appreciate that you need to have a hell of a lot of surface area, not to mention chemicals in the water to even approach that current at 12vDC.

The worst that is going to happen is the contacts will corrode and the outlet will stop making good contact.

Use the power output as necessary regardless of the weather.
If it doesn't have a drain hole then make sure it's dry when you put the bike away.
Coat the internals with protective grease (silicone grease, vaseline, ACF etc). Then remember that said grease will be on your devices' plug after use so wipe that or afterwards or you'll be leaving grease on everything it touches.

[NTBooth]

Thanks blokes! 

I was just concerned as its basically opening a hole for water to possibly collect in whilst electricity is passing through it!

My knowledge of electrics is absolutely zero - hence why it didn't trigger that yes, actually the rest of the bikes electrics get wet...but I did think water siting in a metal lined tube and electricity running through it would be an issue.