[SUVord]

With winter here and because recently I noticed a few electrical glitches in the forum, I want to stretch the importance of the dielectric silicon compound in the electrical and electronic connection of our cars.
Slavrenz keeps mentioning its importance every time he is given a chance and I am only adding to his advice.
The dielectric phenomenon is really a paradox because according to its discoverers many decades ago:"If we intervene with a small film of an insulating compound between two contacts that we wish to flow current from one to the other, then, not only current will flow but at higher levels compared to have put nothing between the contacts".
And that is the main benefit of using a dielectric compound in all electrical connections.
But that is not all.
A side benefit of using it is the sealing of the contact area from all water condensation and dirt, plus keeping the touching contact smooth so after a long time when we want to disassemble the contact we will do it nice and easy without any damage to the attached wires or seals.
I personally call my vehicle winterized because that compound has been used for many years on any electric or electronic contact and that includes the light bulb sockets too!

PS.:Last time I had a light bulb failure was in 1987.

 

[Four_Eyes]

SUVord, amen to that.

I found out the importance of dielectric grease years ago. I had to replace a (factory installed) turn signal bulb that was mounted on the front bumper. From the years of rain, snow, and salt, the bulb base was corroded into the socket. The glass broke off the base and I had to resort to using needle nosed pliers to carefully peel off the base out of the socket.

:thumb:

 

[etrailer]

It is infinitely important for trailer connectors whether 4-Way Flat or the 7-Way Round or any connector in between. That grease fills up all the voids that moisture and dirt would love to fill but the pins still make good, clean contact.

 

[slavrenz]

With winter here and because recently I noticed a few electrical glitches in the forum, I want to stretch the importance of the dielectric silicon compound in the electrical and electronic connection of our cars.
Slavrenz keeps mentioning its importance every time he is given a chance and I am only adding to his advice.
The dielectric phenomenon is really a paradox because according to its discoverers many decades ago:"If we intervene with a small film of an insulating compound between two contacts that we wish to flow current from one to the other, then, not only current will flow but at higher levels compared to have put nothing between the contacts".
And that is the main benefit of using a dielectric compound in all electrical connections.
But that is not all.
A side benefit of using it is the sealing of the contact area from all water condensation and dirt, plus keeping the touching contact smooth so after a long time when we want to disassemble the contact we will do it nice and easy without any damage to the attached wires or seals.
I personally call my vehicle winterized because that compound has been used for many years on any electric or electronic contact and that includes the light bulb sockets too!

PS.:Last time I had a light bulb failure was in 1987.

Lol, I didn't realize I was mentioning it that much - I think it was only maybe twice. But yeah, it's good stuff (there, 3 times). eace:

 

[fotojack]

While we're at it, I thought I might mention this. You know that rubberized rocker panel spray....the stuff that you can spray on your rocker panels to keep them from rusting? Well....try this. After you make your battery connections nice and clean and tight, spray on some rocker panel rubberized spray. Keeps everything nice and clean, and your posts will never corrode.

And yes, I use dielectric grease on every electrical contact in my vehicle. I have never had an electrical failure on anything I have used it on.

 

[SUVord]

Hey photojack, can you please give me some brand name for that rocker panel spray to see if I can find it here in Greece?

 

[jpark]

Be careful with dielectric grease and quartz-halogen lamps.

One molecule of that grease on the quartz surface will lead to lamp failure. Guaranteed.

On every other electrical contact, there's nothing better.

 

[fotojack]

Hey photojack, can you please give me some brand name for that rocker panel spray to see if I can find it here in Greece?

It's just a generic brand put out by Canadian Tire Corp. here in Canada. I'm sure there are a number of brands available where you are. It's just a rubberized coating material that you spray on your rocker panels and underbody parts to prevent rust. Like I said, it works great on battery post connections. Sorry I don't have a particular brand name for you.

 

[08HybridOK]

Interesting, I may need to get some of this when I go get some rubber fule line later today.
I think the store sold little packets at the register, called bulb grease, or something stupid or oxy-moronic; but maybe it was me that was stupid.

So you can get it in a spray can, and just spray the batt terminals & fuse box???

Also time of year reminder to wipe rubber seals (door, hatch, trunks, etc) with silicone spray. Keeps 'em soft and help prevent getting frozen. ie repels water = less likely door will freeze shut. :thumb:

 

[slavrenz]

Interesting, I may need to get some of this when I go get some rubber fule line later today.
I think the store sold little packets at the register, called bulb grease, or something stupid or oxy-moronic; but maybe it was me that was stupid.

So you can get it in a spray can, and just spray the batt terminals & fuse box???

Also time of year reminder to wipe rubber seals (door, hatch, trunks, etc) with silicone spray. Keeps 'em soft and help prevent getting frozen. ie repels water = less likely door will freeze shut. :thumb:

Also very good advice. I went with my friend one time to pick up his car from the garage, and the mechanic and I got to talking about maintenance that people don't normally do, that should be done (such as replacing brake fluid). I mentioned that I "lubricate" my weatherstripping with silicon spray every 7,500 - 10,000 miles to keep the seals pliable and in good condition, and he told me that he now does that with every vehicle that comes into his shop, thanks to my tip .

 

[SUVord]

Hey photojack, can you please give me some brand name for that rocker panel spray to see if I can find it here in Greece?

It's just a generic brand put out by Canadian Tire Corp. here in Canada. I'm sure there are a number of brands available where you are. It's just a rubberized coating material that you spray on your rocker panels and underbody parts to prevent rust. Like I said, it works great on battery post connections. Sorry I don't have a particular brand name for you.

Thanks mate.I'll start looking this weekend. :beer:

 

[Katscan]

This is very good info!

Could we get this stickied somehow?

:bump:

 

[intillzah]

I sell a lot of dielectric grease where I work and the guys back in the shop swear by it...

 

[Airmapper]

I haven't commented earlier, but I do want to thank everyone for this conversation. I've been looking into dielectric compounds and plan to start making use of them as I do electrical work to my ever increasing number of vehicles, the older 4x4's in particular where water goes everywhere and grounds go bad all the time. (I'm fighting electrical gremlins in my '66 right now.)

 

[megascape]

I know the electricians in our yard use that stuff on the boats everywhere.

 

[SUVord]

I know the electricians in our yard use that stuff on the boats everywhere.

Thank God for the boats, cause, in Greece, the only place you can find dielectric compound is at the marine supplies and accessories stores.

 

[slavrenz]

I know the electricians in our yard use that stuff on the boats everywhere.

Thank God for the boats, cause, in Greece, the only place you can find dielectric compound is at the marine supplies and accessories stores.

Do they have auto parts stores in Greece? That's where I usually pick mine up. I'd imagine at the marine supply shop, they sell it in bulk quantities, no?

 

[megascape]

I bet they sell it in individual packaging as well. In the states it's probably more spendy to get it at a marine store vs an auto store.

 

[SUVord]

Dear slavrenz, don't worry.They sell it in small quantities too, the size of a tooth paste tube.
So, next time you decide to come over and taste samples of the local brewries, you can go back home with some tubes, (American made too).
All the best :beer:

PS,:New application for the dielectric compound!!!
Some months ago the front right head light lens developed a thread thicknes crack.I put some strip of tape over it but the inside of headlight was fogging up when it was rainning.
Being frustrated and a little lunatic too with such issues, I took the tape off and smeared some of the compound over the crack.Bingo!!!No more head lights fogging.
Tomorrow morning I'll brush my teeth with it and let you know of the results.Yummy!!!

 

[Katscan]

Tomorrow morning I'll brush my teeth with it and let you know of the results.Yummy!!!

:stop:

Yea not sure you want to do that!