Dielectric grease on connectors?

[maco70]

Hi,

I plan to put Dielectric grease on mostly all connectors, like the ones for the headlights and sidemarker lights, ect.

I believe it would help to prevent corrosion and preserve a good électricien contact, but I wonder to know if there is warning to use dielectric grease in some places?

Regards,
_________________
Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)

[fxr]

I can't think of anywhere it shouldn't be used.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[jimf909]

Dielectric grease protects the terminals from corrosion and does not conduct electricity so it's safe to use anywhere. The contacts open to the elements that you mention are prime candidates for it but any electrical connection on the van seems like it would benefit or at least not be harmed.
_________________
- Jim

[maco70]

Thanks Jim.
Just thinking then sharing my idea…
If the dielectric grease doesn’t conduct electricity, could it act as an isolator then stopping the current, if we apply too much of grease between the connectors?
_________________
Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)

[do.dah]

I use anti-oxidant electrical grease.
Since, by definition, it's conductive, I clean the grease off between contacts in a connector, just to be safe.

[DanHoug]

[1988M5]

I totally disagree.

1st things first, change the name of "Dielectric" grease to what it really is, "no electricity will flow through me" grease. At least in your minds, the marketing teams of this product will never agree to this..

That reality description doesn't bring warm fuzzy feelings through me with respect to helping an electrical situation/problem/issue. Just the opposite.

The original intent of this grease was to keep brand new built electrical parts/wiring junction free of outside possible contamination from the elements, nothing more, no up side electrically, just less potential future downside and keep the car companies away from warranty complains.

I've seen customer home brew/DIY "improvements" using dielectric grease, new connectors, heat shrink, solder, proper oxygen free crimps, solder after proper crimps (ruining them) only to find inches of green corrosion on the OEM copper wire feeding it.

My point here is don't add an element that can only hurt the electrical circuit.

BK

PS If any thing use something that can help like;
https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S-6-DeoxIT-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B00006LVEU
_________________
1991 tin top GL
2002 Winnebago Vista. VW VR6 24V Eurovan front clip powered class C 21' RV.
Some BMWs.

[dobryan]

[jimf909]

[Ahwahnee]

What he said... used correctly dielectric grease protects connections and reduces the possibility of unwanted conduction. I use it freely and have not observed any downside.

[1988M5]

[fxr]

Please explain to me how a dielectric grease can 'hurt' a circuit? This electronics engineer of many decades experience would be intrigued to learn something new to refute something so fundamental to normal operation and practice...

I call FUD - and trolling.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[Wildthings]

[kamzcab86]

https://www.thedrive.com/maintenance-repair/39173/dielectric-grease
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[atarasi]

I think many posts are saying the same thing. Silicone grease aka dielectric grease, doesn’t conduct electricity, it works as an insulator. So, it sounds like you need to know how to apply it correctly. Use it around a connection to protect it from corrosion not between an electrical connection to hinder the flow of current.

[maco70]

A lot of informations !
If I can resume for myself, on the connectors I could put stabilant 22, Penetrox or any of these products that improve the connectivity, then I could put dielectric grease on the assembly, over the sheath.
_________________
Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)

[jimf909]

[danfromsyr]

I can see where/how a coating of Dielectric grease on a horn ring and it's weak spring tensioned contact would form a film that could/would build up under the spring tang and inhibit a good contact. especially if it's a non-relayed horn where full current is needed to get any noticeable sound out of it..

in this case it wasn't making the needed metal to metal connection..
not a proper location to use dielectric grease.

we all get learned by the physics of the natural universe on occasion.
for me it's most often sharp or heavy objects intercepting my physical body space..

[maco70]

I agree, Jim.
It is maybe too much.
Many folks, many answers.
The learn is quite more philosophical perhaps.
Hava a good one.
_________________
Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)