We used gobs of the dielectric grease on the Coast Guard cutters..Every connection..even interior ones.. got a smear as the salt air got to everything big time. Same with your Vanagon and the moisture and road salt.. A bit on the taillight bulbs, grounds or eng push on connectors makes them trouble free for much longer. The metal to metal connection will still let teh current go thru, but protects that same connection from corrosion. Simple preventative measure and well worth the effort over the long haul. Daryl of AA Transaxle (425) 788-4070 aatransaxle.com 86 Syncro Westy Zetec in the trunk ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 7:23 AM Subject: Re: Correct use of Dielectric grease?

> The term dielectric is confusing. > > From Wikipedia: > > >>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. Although "dielectric" and "insulator" are generally considered > synonymous, the term "dielectric" is more often used to describe 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.<< > > Dielectric grease is non-conductive yet it transfers heat. Dielectric > grease is often used with a heat-sink to transfer the heat better and it > can also be used in applications where electrical components might get > damp and/or hot and corrode. Most auto manufacturers are using > dielectric grease or other grease compounds to protect light sockets and > other electrical connections. The protection from corrosion ultimately > prevents the heat that can occur in a corroded connection that > eventually leads to a melt down or fire. > > Check this Youtube video. > > http://www.ask.com/bar?q=dielectic+grease&page=1&qsrc=0&ab=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8W7o-CRRmGo > > *http://tinyurl.com/lrcdoy* > > The electricians from the Power Company came and did some work and they > used dielectric grease on the heavy connections where aluminum wiring > was clamped. My electrician did the same thing with both aluminum and > copper wiring. Aluminum is more troublesome than copper, as it has a > far greater tendency to corrode and get hot than copper. > > Corroded contact points offer resistance to the current and heat is the > result. The dielectric grease, while it does not conduct electricity > itself, inhibits that corrosion that does resist current flow and > results in heat. > > There are conductive lubricants used to aid current flow, but they are a > different class of materials - not dielectrics. > > John Rodgers > 88 GL Driver > > > Roland wrote: >> Hello folks, >> >> I was reading the discussion about high powered headlights overheating >> some >> connectors, and again I saw mention that use of dielectric grease is good >> practice. .... to put it on the contacts. Of course I've seen it >> referenced many times. >> >> But this confuses me. Dielectric grease is an insulator, right? It is >> non-conductive. Why would we put it on the contacts where we want a >> better >> connection? Why wouldn't we use conductive grease on contacts? Or is >> the >> proper application of dielectric grease to put it on the outside of the >> connector, but never on the contact points themselves? I keep a tube of >> conductive grease around the garage, use it only very rarely. If we use >> dielectric grease only on the outside of a connection, why not just use >> heat >> shrink tubing? >> >> Thanks! >> Roland >> >> >>