| Author | Message | ||
     Towpro |
I see people here all the time saying they used "dielectric compound" on electrical connections. I have always believed it was the wrong thing to do, so today before I checked out my "77" connector, I did some research. Wikipedia defines Dielectric as: A dielectric is a nonconducting substance, i.e. an insulator. The term was coined by William Whewell in response to a request from Michael Faraday.[1] Although "dielectric" and "insulator" are generally considered synonymous, the term "dielectric" is more often used to describe materials where the dielectric polarization is important, such as the insulating material between the metallic plates of a capacitor, while "insulator" is more often used when the material is being used to prevent a current flow across it. That don't sound like something I want to put in my electrical connections! GM used to have us using it on the bottom of HEI distribute caps and plug wires to stop the spark from jumping to ground. I feel what we want for electrical connections is a Oxide inhibiting compound. Here is what I used. Available at Home Depot. My 77 was fine, and now it has oxide inhibiting compound in it, not dielectric compound.  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Dielectric grease is used a lot to displace / discourage water intrusion. Use it on CLEAN contacts that are not having a current issue, not as a "fix" for an issue. The reason you do not use a conducting material is because when you pack a connector full of grease, you have overlap from one pole of the connector to the other. If the grease conducts between those poles...you're welding. Dielectric grease is used simply as moisture barrier. The added benefit to moisture barrier is...you fight corrosion at the source. No moisture on a GOOD contact = no corrosion. (Message edited by ratbuell on November 14, 2009) | ||
| Motorfish |
Anti-oxide compound is also available at electrical supply houses. It`s used on aluminum wire and aluminum pipe connections. Good stuff. | ||
| Towpro |
Ratbuell has a point. So I went out to the garage and put a blob of this stuff on a piece of paper. When sticking the Ohm meter probes into the grease, it "open" resistance all the way up to the point the probes touch, so I guess it's not a conductor either. Do I need to clean it out of the 77 before I leave on my 100 mile ride tomorrow? | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I would clean as much out as possible, and not worry about the tiny bit left in the holes. Worst case scenario you pop the fuse. Your ride going to take you out past dark? | ||
| Towpro |
I double checked it this morning. I did a clean job, it was only on the pings and contacts, I did not fill the connector. Plus the way the 77 is designed there is plenty of plastic between the pins. 100 miles later no problem. | ||
| Red_chili |
Used dielectric grease on the 77 a couple years ago. No issues at all. Inhibits moisture intrusion and atmospheric exposure. The aluminum oxide inhibitor is great on aluminum. The 77 doesn't use aluminum. It probably would accomplish the general goal however due to just being goo. |
