What should I smear on electrical connections ?

[Angel]

Hello All,
so I'm working on the 1998 Chrysler minivan - and its giving me fits like bad grounds or power connections.

So I have some engine bay parts apart - I found dedicated grounding studs (one on the engine, one on the fender) and some other various electrical bits that want cleaned.

I can wire brush them no sweat, but after that - is there something I can put on the threads/washers/metal parts that would either help its electrical connection, keep things clean inside or just make me feel better that I tried to clean up the grounds ?

I have a small assortment of chemicals in my garage, including any number of petroleum distillates (motor oil, xmsn oil, fork oil, 2-stroke oil, WD40...) Silver Anti-seize, copper RTV gasket maker, powdered graphite lubricant, wheel bearing grease, brake pad anti squeal, a few different types of greases, water, simple green, brake cleaner, B12chemtool carb dip (!).

I've heard of dedicated dielectric grease, but:
a) I dont want a dieelectric, I want it to conduct
b) I dont have any of that on hand anyway.


Any thoughts on what to smear on electrical connections ? (including fuse blades)

-John

[spdrun]

Either Vaseline or silicone dielectric grease -- it will be wiped away where the metal parts touch, so it will still conduct.

[kmaysob]

Originally Posted by Angel

Hello All,
so I'm working on the 1998 Chrysler minivan - and its giving me fits like bad grounds or power connections.

So I have some engine bay parts apart - I found dedicated grounding studs (one on the engine, one on the fender) and some other various electrical bits that want cleaned.

I can wire brush them no sweat, but after that - is there something I can put on the threads/washers/metal parts that would either help its electrical connection, keep things clean inside or just make me feel better that I tried to clean up the grounds ?

I have a small assortment of chemicals in my garage, including any number of petroleum distillates (motor oil, xmsn oil, fork oil, 2-stroke oil, WD40...) Silver Anti-seize, copper RTV gasket maker, powdered graphite lubricant, wheel bearing grease, brake pad anti squeal, a few different types of greases, water, simple green, brake cleaner, B12chemtool carb dip (!).

I've heard of dedicated dielectric grease, but:
a) I dont want a dieelectric, I want it to conduct
b) I dont have any of that on hand anyway.


Any thoughts on what to smear on electrical connections ? (including fuse blades)

-John

best thing would be a clean dry connection. you can add dieelectric grease after assembly, but do not put it between connections. ie battery connections, ring lugs on studs ect

[jplinville]

I've used silicone based grease in the past...water proof and wont corrode.

[cmbdiesel]

Dielectric grease.
As long as you have clean metal, the grease will not inhibit the connection, but will seal it from outside intrusion, corrosion and potential wet condition arcing.

I like the Motorcraft version, but pretty sure they are all about the same.

[catmandoo62]

there is a type of grease that electricians use on copper/aluminum connections to prevent corrosion between the 2.can get at any place that has a good electrical section.

[Simpler=Better]

Dielectric sticks like no other, but I use regular pump grease on my battery connections, etc.

[barry12345]

You want to deny oxygen and moisture.Most conection terminations are treated for corrosion resistance with a plating. Once you clean one that has evidence of corrosion it is reasonable to assume that protective layer may be gone.

I just normally use thick bearing grease throughout the assembly of electrical terminations. . That way there is not much likelyhood of having to revisit those connections in the future. A silicone grease on connections where there is plastic involved as I would not want to take a chance of the normal grease causing issued with the plastic plugs etc. This all becomes a habit to do with time. Mechanical connections are usually the weakest point in any electical circuit.

[Jorn]

Would it be good to grease the battery connections?

[Simpler=Better]

Originally Posted by Jorn

Would it be good to grease the battery connections?

I've greased every battery connection on every vehicle I've owned. The result- no electrical issues other than batteries/alternators dying of old age.

[barry12345]

We used to put a few copper pennies on top of our car batteries as well. either the cells venting a little coated the top of the battery with an acidic condition or whatever. The pennies turned green over time. We assumed they were neutralising at least some acid.