Dielectric grease yes/no maybe
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Sorry, but I’m gonna have to go the other way on this one. I've witnessed the benefits of its use over many years, many vehicles, and many applications, I find it difficult to believe that a product specifically designed for electrical connections, is bad for electrical connections. I will continue using it, until I have an electrical failure and I'm reasonably convinced that the dielectrical grease caused it. Try this, clean up the terminals and posts on your battery real good, put dielectrical grease on just one connection, put it back together, then check ‘em in a year. Wanna wager which one will be in better condition?
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Denver Colorado
Deg
I use DEG on clean connectors - partially to maintain connectivity and to reduce intrusion of moisture and dust. If I can't fix it with DEG I can fix it with my 8 pound sledgehammer ! Then it looks an operates like new. Works every time, for me at least.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 2
From: Springfield Ohio
I believe that is a big part of the discussion. Dielectric grease is intended to prevent electricity from passing through it. I agree that it also has the added benefit of acting as a barrier against moisture ( I use it religiously on my off road spark plug boots) but never, EVER on the contact itself! My point of reference comes from back when I was an automotive tech. The big three often recommended the use of Dielectric grease as both a thermal insulator and an electrical barrier against moisture tracking and arcing. These recommendations were always followed by big, bold warnings that it should never be applied to electrical contact surfaces as it could prevent proper operation of the circuit. I never questioned it... its the Big Three, right?
However, given the type and caliber of experience represented by the "I've used it for years" camp, I decided it was time to look for some more recent official recommendations.
A couple of google finds:
http://www.permatex.com/documents/td...tive/09980.pdf
(Permatex usage guide)
For battery terminals: "Clean, coat both parts, reassemble"
http://www.dielectricgrease.org/
(can you believe it? Dielectric Grease has its own website!)
"Even though this type of grease is nonconductive, I have never found, not once in 33 plus years of personally using it, any problem as far as conductivity goes. "
There are several more... I'm convinced.
Learn somethin' new every day!
However, given the type and caliber of experience represented by the "I've used it for years" camp, I decided it was time to look for some more recent official recommendations.
A couple of google finds:
http://www.permatex.com/documents/td...tive/09980.pdf
(Permatex usage guide)
For battery terminals: "Clean, coat both parts, reassemble"
http://www.dielectricgrease.org/
(can you believe it? Dielectric Grease has its own website!)
"Even though this type of grease is nonconductive, I have never found, not once in 33 plus years of personally using it, any problem as far as conductivity goes. "
There are several more... I'm convinced.
Learn somethin' new every day!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 11
From: El Paso, Texas
I've been working in electronics for over 35 years, been at my present job just over 27, I use "DEG" quite a bit, no it's not a cure all, and you should clean the connections before it's applied. I live in Florida, plenty of rain and moisture here, I have never pulled apart a connection with DEG and seen any kind of corrosion, but I have pulled apart several without it that had to be completely redone. Use it correctly and it's some good stuff.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
I keep seeing DEG as a 'cure-all" suggested in posts by well-meaning Riders.
a couple of things-
DEG is non conductive. It is an insulator, so should a thin film get between connecting pins- is insulates the connection.
This can be a problem with milli-volt ECM sensor input errors.
DEG can TRAP moisture in a connector especially is areas that experience heat/cold cycles. Condensation can form, and not be able to evaporate out. This moisture can cause corrosion in the connection, or misfires in high voltage systems*
DEG - or any oily substance ( WD40) can trap and hold dirt. A dirt film can hold moisture....the problem re-occurs and gets worse
WD40 has many uses- an electrical cleaner is not one of them
DEG is best in an application where a rubber boot is used to make a connection...signal lights, headlight boot, sparkplugs wire boots- this keeps the rubber pliable and from bonding.
DEG can be too much of a good thing.
MOST electronic faults are poor connections- often the fix is in the connecting of a new part, rather than the new part itself- the old part is blamed and tossed when it was a bad connection to blame.
Most shops don't care, they charge you for the new part, and charge you for the labor to "fix" your problem.
A good connector cleaning strategy is to keep it clean, keep it dry.
Physically cleaning pins is good- sandpaper is too coarse, a rubber eraser may leave a film ( the "softeners" added to the compound).
I use a nic sand fiberglass pen- Radio Shack sells similar.
Contact cleaners are great but READ the label- some eat plastic- or may discolor paints. ( over spray).
I like DeOxit/ Cramolin R5- and I usually spray a little onto a q-tip and get it where I need it.
If I have to spray, most cans have low med high flow settings, and be careful where the excess goes- wrap a rag around to catch it.
and don't power wash the darn electronics.
Mike
( Guiding Electrons Professionally for over 35 years)
* remember how many cars wouldn't start in the rain/ damp ? this was usually due to moisture inside the distributor cap...Chevys avoided this problem because GM's had a door in the distributor to adjust the dwell- moisture could evaporate rather than be trapped. The fix on other models was to drill holes in the cap, rather than wipe it out with a paper towel each time
a couple of things-
DEG is non conductive. It is an insulator, so should a thin film get between connecting pins- is insulates the connection.
This can be a problem with milli-volt ECM sensor input errors.
DEG can TRAP moisture in a connector especially is areas that experience heat/cold cycles. Condensation can form, and not be able to evaporate out. This moisture can cause corrosion in the connection, or misfires in high voltage systems*
DEG - or any oily substance ( WD40) can trap and hold dirt. A dirt film can hold moisture....the problem re-occurs and gets worse
WD40 has many uses- an electrical cleaner is not one of them
DEG is best in an application where a rubber boot is used to make a connection...signal lights, headlight boot, sparkplugs wire boots- this keeps the rubber pliable and from bonding.
DEG can be too much of a good thing.
MOST electronic faults are poor connections- often the fix is in the connecting of a new part, rather than the new part itself- the old part is blamed and tossed when it was a bad connection to blame.
Most shops don't care, they charge you for the new part, and charge you for the labor to "fix" your problem.
A good connector cleaning strategy is to keep it clean, keep it dry.
Physically cleaning pins is good- sandpaper is too coarse, a rubber eraser may leave a film ( the "softeners" added to the compound).
I use a nic sand fiberglass pen- Radio Shack sells similar.
Contact cleaners are great but READ the label- some eat plastic- or may discolor paints. ( over spray).
I like DeOxit/ Cramolin R5- and I usually spray a little onto a q-tip and get it where I need it.
If I have to spray, most cans have low med high flow settings, and be careful where the excess goes- wrap a rag around to catch it.
and don't power wash the darn electronics.
Mike
( Guiding Electrons Professionally for over 35 years)
* remember how many cars wouldn't start in the rain/ damp ? this was usually due to moisture inside the distributor cap...Chevys avoided this problem because GM's had a door in the distributor to adjust the dwell- moisture could evaporate rather than be trapped. The fix on other models was to drill holes in the cap, rather than wipe it out with a paper towel each time
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I work for a GM dealer and we use it for low voltage and electronic connections all the time. Very good stuff. Ideal is to stop fretting caused by connectors moving against each other. Have many cases where air bag light is on and repair is to clean and put some DEG in connector and connect and disconnect 3 times. More often than not problem solved. Good stuff.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
