dielectric grease

[DeanR]

Can/should this stuff be used on battery terminals? car or bike...

[randy]

Yes, yes, yes.

And, when in doubt, yes!

Dean, didn't you get a tube of the copper grease I gave out at the W.V. rally?

PM me your address and I'll send you some.

[TopCatGr58]

Be Careful, different types!

Hey Dean,

As in a recent thread, DiverRay pointed out that the Dielectric grease is to be applied AFTER the connections are cleaned, and put back together, it's a sealant to keep water and corrosion out. So don't put it on the parts/connections before you put them together...specifically the battery cables and posts. The other type of plug connectors, yes you can put some around the edge of the plugs so that when they go together, they are sealed around the plug joint.

The stuff Randy is talking about is a copper impregnated type, and it PROMOTES conductivity, and if used TOO MUCH, can actually cause shorts in the connectors. To use it, you put some into the female ends of the connectors so that it gets down a little into the recessed contacts, then wipe off the excess from the surface of the female plug before joining them, otherwise the excess will act like a bridge across terminals and possibly short!
T.C.

[Geezer]

I have to disagree. I coat the terminals with dielectric grease before I plug them together and I've never had a problem...

Geezer

[Jeff]

I used to use Kopr-Coat on all my 4x4s which sounds like the copper stuff in a tube. It comes in a plastic jar with a brush lid. Works really good on offroad vehicles that get into the mud and water regularly. Prevents oxidation and corrosion as well as increases conductivity thru connections. If I can find some more, I plan on using it on all the connections on the bike.

[prometheus578]

(Stolen from another site)

The primary purposes of dielectric grease is to keep out moisture, and prevent corrosion. Prevention of corrosion keeps the metal-to-metal contact point in a connector conducting electricity.
Great for multiple plug blocks, relay contacts, slide contact switches, rubber lube, etc. In addition it is used for a heat conductor when some electronic components are mounted on surfaces to dissipate heat. It is non-conductive, but when you slide the connectors together there is metal-to-metal contact and the grease gets displaced but the area around connector is protected from moisture. It helps keep the contact clean. Dielectric grease can be used to improve
conductivity in bullet and spade connectors while protecting the joints from exposure to moisture, dirt, acid, what-have-you. Check the local auto supply.

[prometheus578]

"I'm many things... but not a plagerist"

(Stolen from a Peugot site... written by Peugot Pete.)

[Geezer]

Re: (Stolen from another site)

Originally posted by prometheus578
The primary purposes of dielectric grease is to keep out moisture, and prevent corrosion. Prevention of corrosion keeps the metal-to-metal contact point in a connector conducting electricity.

Exactly and also why I recomend adding a little crimp to the connectors so they plug in tighter. If the connectors are cleaned first, the grease will scrape away from the contact points.

Geezer