Dielectric Silicon Grease Usage ???

Bill.Secure

Yesterday after running for about two hours my GPS turned itself off and my radio "blinked off and back on". This happened twice about fifteen minutes apart. I was almost home so I just turned them off. Both are the only items on the same 10 amp accessory switch. I figured I'd take the connections apart , clean them, apply dielectric silicon grease and put them back together

As I was getting ready to use the grease, I realized I wasn't exactly sure how to use it (and there were no directions with it addressing usage). I assumed I'd place it on the metal tabs coming out of the circuit breakers and switches and then replace the female portion of the connector. Because the grease is an insulator, I got to thinking that if it wasn't to be used this way, I'd have a heck of a time later on getting it out of the female portion of the connector if I was wrong. Did I have it right and just suffer from cold feet, or is there a more appropriate way to use the stuff?

Bill
Edgewater, MD

thataway · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:50 pm Post subject:

Basically you are using the grease as an anti corrosion coating (there are a number of greases and sprays available).

The metal to metal contact will still occur, as the spade is inserted into the "u"--clip etc. Just dab it where most convienent and where it will give most protection

Alasgun · Guest

At your local electrical supply they will have an aerosol product used to coat circuit boards after they are assembled. I don't recall the name of this product but do remember it was $20.00 per can. Looking back from more experienced eyes now, I would pay $40.00 per can as this stuff has worked great. It is tenacious, clean, user friendly and we have not had any corrosion issues to date. I used it to spray all battery connections, all exposed circuits at the helm etc. anywhere electrical connections were made.
The brand is probably not that important, I'm sure your local guys will have a direction to point you if you decide to go that way.
Mike

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject: loose connection

I had similar problems with my Ray Marine equipment hooked up to the accessory switch. When the installer looked at the connections he found that the wire at the box where attached was severed and shorting out. I know this does not answer your question about the grease but I thought while you were in the neighborhood you may want to check that out. These are really cool boats. I hope you are having as much enjoyment as
Cathy & I.
If you head south for the winter, plan on a couple of days at lake Martin to break up the trip and look us up.
JB

BrentB · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject:

Dielectric grease protects electrical connections. It serves as a protectant from air, water, salt, corrosion, dirt ......, and does not conduct electricity. Di in this case means not or non.
m2cw

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:42 pm Post subject:

You may also have an inline fuse somewhere aft, near the battery switches. All of mine were "not nice looking". I removed them all and installed fuse blocks.

If I trimmed the motor, the GPS alarmed "low voltage", which should not happen.

Also, you may have inline fuses for your electronics. While probably not
the problem in this case, since multiple devices failed at the same time, you
probably want to install fuse blocks and remove the inline fuses.

Mike

thataway · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:50 pm Post subject:

Mike's post, reminded me--that we packed all of the in line fuses holders with water proof grease to prevent the potential problem he described. As an annual maintaince issue, you would check these.

Also checking voltage at the console, as well as at the battery will give some idea if there is any resistance in the circuit. I have direct reading guages from the batteries, and then several of the electronics, read the voltage which they "see".