Date:         Sun, 13 Jan 2019 09:53:55 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dielectric grease
In-Reply-To:  <1528742887.18839691.1547339991305@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

"  I read that it does not conduct so to not get any on the mating
surfaces."

I don't know where you read this, but I disagree.
  Yes, dielectric grease is a non-conductor, but so is air.  Applying it to
electrical contacts does not interfere with their function.  The idea is to
prevent oxygen and moisture from getting to the points of contact.  This
will not be very effective if the grease is just smeared on the outside
after joining the terminals.
  Since dielectric grease is silicone based rather than carbon based like
common grease, it is more durable.

Larry A.


On Sat, Jan 12, 2019 at 7:40 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

>  While on this thread....go ahead and attack other potential electrical
> connection problems.  Nip them in the bud.  Wirebrush and/or sandpaper for
> nice and shiny connection.  Then nicely coat with the grease after a snug
> attachment, any kind of grease, to prevent killer corrosion.  A nice smear,
> get into crevices, and then wipe off most of it.
> Starter battery and house battery connections are an obvious first choice;
> those will be the ones that make for unhappy situations.  All that yellow
> "frost" appearing on battery terminals..ugh.
>
> But go ahead and then also do the "luxury" connections or even things in
> your motor area, as best as you see fit.  A few at a time.  Corrosion, and
> rust, never sleeps....big enemy.  Grease over connections will mitigate
> corrosion and failure.
>
> You may wonder....well then, why didn't VW do all this preemptive stuff
> when so convenient to do at the factory in Germany?  Why don't any of the
> current auto manufacturers also do this?
>
> Answer:  Money.  Messy, time consuming and thus not cost efficient to do,
> and then well anyways you can buy another car in 10 or 15 years when you
> are frustrated.  Hey, you got your warranty period, right?
> Fix those connections!  So we can see many Vanagons on the road over the
> next 30 years.  In Thomas Edison's day, everything was hard-wired and
> pretty solid; modern era has epoxy encapsulated microprocessors and all,
> I'm good with that too.  But electrical stuff RARELY fails in the wires but
> COMMONLY fails in the connection points.  Corrosion.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
>
>
>
>
>     On Saturday, January 12, 2019, 3:25:17 PM PST, David Boan <
> dboan@OUTLOOK.COM> wrote:
>
>  Very helpful, thanks
>
> David Boan
> dboan@outlook.com
> dboan@worldea.org
>
> ________________________________
> From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2019 4:17:21 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM; David Boan
> Subject: Re: Dielectric grease
>
> Yes, I think you've got it right.
>
> On widely spaced terminals (like ground connections), you are good with
> something like white lithium grease for the connector to contact; and then
> an overcoat of dielectric grease for overall corrosion protection.
>
> On narrowly spaced connections (think of a USB connector and such), too
> much risk using even a mildly conductive grease like white lithium; you
> don't want any potential signal "cross-talk".  I kind of compromise
> here.....I use the thinnest film of Vaseline I can apply, and then wipe
> most of it off.  Same with stuff like Headphone 1/8" connector, or a camera
> connection...that kind of stuff....you want to make the connection glide
> together easily yet don't want corrosion and surely not conductivity
> between close connections.
>
> On the classic "grinding" sound from horn ring, you definitely want to use
> white lithium grease; if you use dielectric grease, it will only last about
> 6-9 months in two such trials.  Dielectric "grease" is not a lubricant; it
> is a coating.  White lithium grease on horn ring has lasted over 6 years
> now...and still counting...great lubrication and connection.
>
> (Anything like AAA or AA or 9V batteries for flashlights, remote controls,
> etc., I always put a coating of Vaseline on the terminals and contact areas
> before installing.  Makes for super reliability.)
>
> My experiences anyway.
>
> Rich
>
> San Diego
>
>
>
> On Saturday, January 12, 2019, 2:25:05 PM PST, David Boan <
> dboan@OUTLOOK.COM> wrote:
>
>
> Quick question about using dielectric grease.  I am cleaning ground
> connections and will be putting on dielectric grease for the first time (at
> least by me).  I read that it does not conduct so to not get any on the
> mating surfaces.  So, is the proper use to clean the connection, reconnect,
> and then coat the external area with the grease?  Would you also coat the
> battery terminals after cleaning and reconnecting?  Anything else?
>
> Thanks
> Dave B.
> 85 Westy
> Boise ID
>