Lube connectors for easier removal?

[jhamel]

I was listening to the lastest RCHN podcast where they briefly discussed lubing the connectors for easier removal. Does any body routinely lube the connectors?

[redsox]

If i could find a lube without hydro carbons and was also conductive, i would certainly do that. Maybe light bulb grease but i would have to research if it was compatible with plastics.

[jhamel]

They mentioned something about light bulb grease. I've never heard of such thing before. I'll have to research this connector lube subject. My guess is that the automotive folks may be able to impart some wisdom on this subject.

[KiloXray]

The only ones I do is the occasional XT60 that sticks. Deoxit works amazingly well to both clean the contacts and provides lube.

[JustPlaneChris]

Originally Posted by KiloXray

The only ones I do is the occasional XT60 that sticks. Deoxit works amazingly well to both clean the contacts and provides lube.

+1 to this. I use Deoxit on my XT30s too. (XT30 totally rocks on the Blade 180 / 200QX and others that size).

[rhodesengr]

you can do it and the lube does not have to be conducting. Metal parts make electrical contact via microscopic surface roughness. The points of contact are called "asperities" (Google "asperity wiki" for more info).

Lube is excluded from these points of contact. I have used thick, pure silicone grease for this (Dow Corning Vacuum grease).

Another example are products like Noalox which is used for aluminum wire and bus-bar electrical connections. Noalox is non-conductive and acts mostly to prevent the alumium from oxidizing.

[jhamel]

I've never heard of DeoxIT before. Are you guys talking about the DeoxIT "D" series? Would I be able to apply a dab of this inside the female EC5 and/or EC3 connectors?

[JustPlaneChris]

I use the Deoxit gold spray. Not cheap, but it's magical stuff for switches and electronic widgets.

http://www.amazon.com/DeoxITGOLD-Spr...dp/B003A7KHK8/

[ranchhand]

I'm not familiar with the names of these greases, but can't you just use a dielectric grease like the kind sold at automotive stores?

[banditpowdercoat]

Yes. Dielectric grease is what you should use. You really do not want it conductive. Because grease will flow and migrate and when it connects between both pins. If it was conductive, you get the picture

[boogie12]

Originally Posted by ranchhand

I'm not familiar with the names of these greases, but can't you just use a dielectric grease like the kind sold at automotive stores?

I have used dielectric grease on my electrical connectors my only issue with using it is that it will collect dust and dirt that will eventually destroy the connector IMO.

[redsox]

Well you learn something new everyday. Thats a great point about conductive grease possibly causing a short. Yeah i think regular old light bulb grease is a good choice.

[mqowen]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

Yes. Dielectric grease is what you should use. You really do not want it conductive. Because grease will flow and migrate and when it connects between both pins. If it was conductive, you get the picture

Agree.

I use it on some connectors as needed. If they seem to go together smoothly I don't use it as I don't want them to get so loose as to accidently pull apart. If I have to struggle to get them apart I don't hesitate to add dielectric grease.

[setishock]

It's anti seize grease. Keeps the metal bulb base from corroding to the metal socket. Navy at sea used to use a lot of that.

But the conductive properties are as bad as putting too much Artic Silver 5 on the CPU to heat sink junction. It oozes out and drops on the socket or down on the mother board. Being silver oxide, it's very conductive. And we don't have to tell you what happened next. ZAP!

[kobbler]

Originally Posted by curmudgeon

I was listening to the lastest RCHN podcast where they briefly discussed lubing the connectors for easier removal. Does any body routinely lube the connectors?

Are you trying to lube the bullet connector or the plastic housing?

+1 on lubing the XT60 plastic housing.

[kthane]

I've used dexoit gold. Worked great on my EC5s.

[jhamel]

I ordered the DeoxIT Gold that Chris recommended. Thank you.

[TheBum]

Originally Posted by kthane

I've used dexoit gold. Worked great on my EC5s.

Same here, at least initially. Eventually the EC5s break in and will pull apart more easily without lube.

[jhamel]

Originally Posted by kobbler

Are you trying to lube the bullet connector or the plastic housing?

Either. I just don't like ending up with blisters on my fingers from pulling those EC5's apart.

[Atomic Skull]

I've never had problems pulling EC5's apart even when they are brand new.