New strip fuse... no power to climate control - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diseasel300 · #10 06-07-2017, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinypanzer

I think you're on the right track. Just a heads up, dielectric grease isn't intended for how you used it. A lot of people mistakenly think it helps or enhances electrical connections, but in reality it does the exact opposite. That's because it's 'dielectric' which means that it's an insulator. So while that dab of grease may stave off oxidation of the connection, it's really not helping it if the grease is actually covering the contacts. You may actually be increasing your electrical resistance in that case. Its real purpose is to be used as a sort of sealant or lubricant in situations where there are rubber insulators, to keep air and moisture out of an already made connection. Slathering on the terminals beforehand is bad. Use Caig Deoxit or a similar contact enhancer for that task, but don't use dielectric grease.

It depends on what KIND of dielectric grease you're using. There are specific types of "dielectric" greases made that are designed explicitly for electrical contacts, plugs, and switches. These types of dielectric grease are designed expressly to improve the electrical connection and will say so on the tube or can. They also tend to contain solvents and cleaners like the Caig DeOxit.

Plain old generic dielectric grease is typically used in sprinkler systems and other locations where the electrical connection is already made, but you want to make it weather-resistant. If you're buying a tube of dielectric grease, make sure it is the kind designed for electrical contacts, otherwise you're doing yourself a disservice.