early light switch
- Thread starter pooch
- Start date
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
I use a little Dielectric Grease that i got from Radio shack years ago but it is also called tuneup grease and sold in automotive stores.
pooch
Well-known member
Did a google for dielectric grease and came up with this....
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001202.html
[FONT=Verdana, Arial]Dielectric grease is a nonconductive grease. Because it is nonconductive it does not enhance the flow electrical current. Electrical conductors should not be coated with dielectric grease prior to being mated.[/FONT]
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001202.html
[FONT=Verdana, Arial]Dielectric grease is a nonconductive grease. Because it is nonconductive it does not enhance the flow electrical current. Electrical conductors should not be coated with dielectric grease prior to being mated.[/FONT]
Bruce Adams
Well-known member
Hi Pooch,
Certainly a strong statement but counter to what many of us have been doing for decades in the aviation, marine, and automotive fields.
Of course dielectric grease does not ENHANCE electrical current. It just keeps electric items working right.
Anone who ever owned a British Sports Car with a Lucas Electrical Systems would have a pint of dielectric grease available at all times for spark plug boots, bulbs, and other connections. I have used it successfully on boats for decades.
How does this Permatex description compare to your STRONG STATEMENT in red?
Permatex® Dielectric Tune-Up Grease
Protects electrical connections and wiring from salt, dirt and corrosion. Extends the life of bulb sockets. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connection. Also prevents spark plugs from fusing to boots. Required for modern high energy ignition systems.
Suggested Applications: Marine and automotive electrical connections, spark plug boots, trailer hitches, battery terminals
Certainly a strong statement but counter to what many of us have been doing for decades in the aviation, marine, and automotive fields.
Of course dielectric grease does not ENHANCE electrical current. It just keeps electric items working right.
Anone who ever owned a British Sports Car with a Lucas Electrical Systems would have a pint of dielectric grease available at all times for spark plug boots, bulbs, and other connections. I have used it successfully on boats for decades.
How does this Permatex description compare to your STRONG STATEMENT in red?
Permatex® Dielectric Tune-Up Grease
Protects electrical connections and wiring from salt, dirt and corrosion. Extends the life of bulb sockets. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connection. Also prevents spark plugs from fusing to boots. Required for modern high energy ignition systems.
Suggested Applications: Marine and automotive electrical connections, spark plug boots, trailer hitches, battery terminals
Bruce Adams
Well-known member
Pooch,
Oh yes, the reference you quoted is SOMEONE's BLOG in a forum like this.
Not to say that makes it wrong, but it doesn't, to me, anyway, have the same value as a real reference.
Oh yes, the reference you quoted is SOMEONE's BLOG in a forum like this.
Not to say that makes it wrong, but it doesn't, to me, anyway, have the same value as a real reference.
pooch
Well-known member
Yes, I realize it was from a blog, but the same thing came up in every google search....silicone based insulator.
{Silicone based that is an insulator and best used to (Protects electrical connections and wiring from salt, dirt and corrosion. Extends the life of bulb sockets. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connection. Also prevents spark plugs from fusing to boots. Required for modern high energy ignition systems.
Suggested Applications: Marine and automotive electrical connections, spark plug boots, trailer hitches, battery terminals}
Great for bulb to holder and heat sink mounts etc and other areas, but it seems not for the actual contacts.
This internet is for asking and making informed decisions, so, on what I have found so far , I think I will go for vaseline at this point unless I find something better.
{Silicone based that is an insulator and best used to (Protects electrical connections and wiring from salt, dirt and corrosion. Extends the life of bulb sockets. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connection. Also prevents spark plugs from fusing to boots. Required for modern high energy ignition systems.
Suggested Applications: Marine and automotive electrical connections, spark plug boots, trailer hitches, battery terminals}
Great for bulb to holder and heat sink mounts etc and other areas, but it seems not for the actual contacts.
This internet is for asking and making informed decisions, so, on what I have found so far , I think I will go for vaseline at this point unless I find something better.
Doug in NJ
Well-known member
It seems clear that you can use the grease for things that you connect and leave connected. But what about switch contacts, where you regularly make and break the connection? Will the inevitable sparking do something bad to the grease, like turn it into a non-conductive gummy substance that prevents the switch from making good contact?
Doug
Doug
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
I always put a thin layer of high temp grease on my headlight switch contacts. It makes for an easier, smoother operation. If it's a repro switch plate I also make sure the dimples down't have a sharp edge by rounding over the edge with sandpaper or a jacknife.
Don't use Vaseline in bulb sockets. I used to use it and found out the bulb heat makes the Vaseline flow over the bulb. Now I use a high temp grease, Mysick JT-6 high temp. Vaseline is better than nothing on electrical connections, but it flows with very little heat, so I like to use a high temp grease.
Most modern cars use a grease in bulb sockets and on electrical plugs to keep out corrosion and moisture. Grease is non-conductive, but the mechanical connection of a nut and washer, or spring loaded terminal makes a good connection. As Bruce said, even aviation uses it on all the connections. It's the only way to fly!
Don't use Vaseline in bulb sockets. I used to use it and found out the bulb heat makes the Vaseline flow over the bulb. Now I use a high temp grease, Mysick JT-6 high temp. Vaseline is better than nothing on electrical connections, but it flows with very little heat, so I like to use a high temp grease.
Most modern cars use a grease in bulb sockets and on electrical plugs to keep out corrosion and moisture. Grease is non-conductive, but the mechanical connection of a nut and washer, or spring loaded terminal makes a good connection. As Bruce said, even aviation uses it on all the connections. It's the only way to fly!
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
Vaseline will work just like dielectric grease, hi temp grease etc.. I think the properties we are looking for are that it won't dry out and will keep things from corroding.
Your post also mentions that it is good for connectors for automobile and marine use.