| [GMCnet] Electrical connection [message #357255] |
Mon, 27 July 2020 13:34  |
Hanson Email
Messages: 110
Registered: March 2020
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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Has anyone had any experience with "electrical grease"? As opposed to
dielectric grease?
I'm having trouble with a multiple pin connection in a ribbon connector and
I can't squeeze it to make it tighter. I can squeeze it with my fingers and
make it work but not with a tool.
Motorcraft has a product for one. I just need to put something in there to
help make that circuit.
Dean hanson but not in my Avion
Fremont, Ca
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electrical connection [message #357278 is a reply to message #357255] |
Mon, 27 July 2020 21:46  |
Rick Staples
Messages: 126
Registered: May 2014
Location: Johnstown, Colorado, USA
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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Dean,
I think you may be referring to "conductive grease", not dielectric grease. This is also sometimes labelled "carbon-conductive grease", and contains carbon powder, or alternately, copper or aluminum powder, and does what you're looking for. It is used to prevent corrosion and improve conductivity. Several companies make it. The stuff I use is from MG Chemicals (a Canadian company, but also distributed in the U.S.).
Caveats include: 1) It's not really made to bridge large gaps at high current. 2)It sticks to fingers like Moly grease. 3)Be sparing with it, especially on multi-pin connectors. It CAN short pins together if it's blobbed on. Then you'll have to wash it off with carb cleaner, brake cleaner, or similar.
HTH
Rick Staples
Rick Staples, '75 Eleganza, Johnstown, CO
"Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the Wise to the Wise, and all paths may run ill." -Tolkien
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electrical connection [message #357296 is a reply to message #357255] |
Tue, 28 July 2020 08:55 |
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Richard RV
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
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Senior Member |
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Dean,
I don't understand - what do you mean that you can squeeze the connector/connection with your fingers but not with a tool? Nearly every one of my tools are stronger than my fingers...
The ribbon cables I've encountered are generally not used in exposed locations and I've never seen one that had any type of grease in the connector. Others with more experience might have different opinions, but I would not use any grease on a ribbon cable that has an iffy connection.
The question of the correct use of dielectric grease pops up every so often, and it's akin to a tire or oil "war" - everyone swears there's only one right answer and there are a whole bunch of different answers.
https://www.permatex.com/products/specialized-maintenance-repair/electrical-system-maintenance/permatex-dielectric-tune-up-grease-2
The pertinent part:
"Coat both parts of terminal contact with Dielectric Grease.
Reassemble maintaining metal to-metal contact."
Seems pretty explicit to me - it won't interfere with an electrical connection... if it's a good connection to start.
I found this page very informative:
https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm
The pertinent part for your question is at the very bottom of that page. "Conductive greases should never be used in low pressure electrical connectors, or in connectors with multiple terminals."
A little further up from the bottom: "One incorrect logic is the "dielectric" in "dielectric grease" means the grease should only be used to insulate. All greases work by the low viscosity allowing the grease to completely push out of areas with metal-to-metal contact."
If the connection is good the dielectric grease will preserve the connection. If the connection is iffy the dielectric grease won't improve it.
Richard
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
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