Marc Schwager

A common suggestion for fixing electrical gremlins is conductive grease. The last time I looked for this stuff, I could only find it in some fairly specialized places and it cost around $15 for a tiny tube due to the silver in it. It is time to order some more as I ran out of the first tube.

So the question is, where do you get your conductive grease and what brand do you use?

TIA

Ed Scherer

Marc,

I use Caig Labs DeoxIT contact cleaner.

I keep a tube available for the precision jobs



and a spray can for the "wide area blast" jobs



I got mine at a computer shop (Micro Center), through which you can get a few Caig products (and they're available at Micro Center's on-line store; I got mine at one of their local retail stores.

A much bigger selection of related Caig products is available via Caig's on-line shopping site.

Thom1

Hi Marc,

Dielectric grease is available in probably all auto and marine parts stores for just a few bucks for a say 1/3 ounce.


My current tube is Permatex brand from Advance Auto Parts.

Ed Scherer

I think we're about to get into the definition of "dielectric" again. Dielectric materials are by definition poor conductors, so you won't want to be using them to improve conductivity.

Dozman

Actually a dielectric is an insulator technically.

Thom1

Thanks for the info. guys. I use dielectric grease on electrical connectors. What is conductive grease used for?

Thom1

For that matter, what is dielectric grease used for?

Marc Schwager

I too have a can of deoxit which I am consuming liberally. Maybe that's what is dripping off of the power steering rack - it is red :-).

The conductive grease I am currently using is Silver Conductive Grease from Circuit Works. It is $15 for 6.5 grams!

Marc Schwager

Here is what Permatex claims their dielectric grease does. It appears to protect, but not enhance conductivity:

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

WallyP

Capt'n Earl suggests a product called "Corrosion Block", available at better marine supply shops (chandlers).

A higher-tech (and MUCH higher-priced) product that reportedly works very well indeed is Stabilant.
http://www.stabilant.com/
This stuff is an insulator - except in very thin films when there is electrical potential across it, when it becomes a conductor.

Steve J.

Silicone dielectric grease sometimes called "bulb" grease in auto supply stores. Best electrical conductivity is intimate contact of the metal pin and socket of the connector. Dielectric grease prevents oxidation around the metal to metal contact area - it doesn't conduct.

Marc Schwager

Thanks Wally.

Boy do those Stabilant guys need a marketing department! Nowhere on their web page do they say what their product is, and why it is good stuff. The reviews certainly look good though.

BrianG

For sure, Stabilant is the whizzy sh*t for high-corrosion environments where delicate electrical contact is at risk. It's used in the marine and aviation industries, when it counts!~

SharkSkin

If you are using dielectric grease or stabilant then you can gloop it into the connector to protect it. Although they recommend a very thin layer they also imply that any amount is OK. I didn't see any info concerning the viscosity of the stuff, but if it's like grease that sounds ideal.

The thing you want to be careful about is conductive grease. If you put a bunch of this into a multi-wire connector, there's a good chance the grease will short out the wires either upon assembly or later it could heat up and flow. You don't want to know how I know this....

S