Talking with Tzorten about dielectric grease (and realizing that I need more -- I'm out!) led me to some additional research on the topic. Now, I had never paid much attention to dielectric grease except to insure that I took the time to slather it into all the connectors well...
Tzorten is going with a John Deer Heavy Duty Synthetic Multi-purpose Grease, which claims high dielectric properties, and is dirt cheap ($6 for a 14 ounce grease-gun style tube).
Here's what I found:
Most purpose-specific dielectric grease formulations have a low-solidity silicone grease basis. The silicone obviously helps keep out the moisture (which is what we want).
There are a couple companies out there that manufacture specialty versions of dielectric grease that contains zinc particles suspended in the formulation. This is particularly good for connectors that have aluminum pins or spades (or receivers), because the zinc particles will cut away surface oxidation on the aluminum when the pieces mate together (and the grease then protects the freshly exposed aluminum from oxygen exposure, keeping more oxidation from forming), resulting in a very good connection. Since zinc also acts as an anti-galling material (keeps stuff from electro-welding or rust-welding itself together), this should be the best possible solution. I think I'm going to track down some of this stuff.
Some of these same firms also offer a copper-particle-suspension version, which according to their documentation is ideal for grounding paths involving copper-on-copper or copper-on-iron/steel interaction. I'm skeptical about where that would be suitable on the Kat except maybe the grounding wire from the battery to the frame (?). I think I'll stick to the zinc-laden one instead.
Anybody know where to find this zinc-dielectric grease in the USA? All the manufacturers seem to be based out of the UK for this -- you can even find it at your local Tessco there (think Target meets your local supermarket).
NoaLox at ideal industries.com
And
Burndy Penetrox A-13 (PDF document) (note: do not substitute Penetrox "A" for "A-13" -- only A-13 is compatible with plastic/rubber used in motorcycle electrical connectors).
Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet
Tzorten is going with a John Deer Heavy Duty Synthetic Multi-purpose Grease, which claims high dielectric properties, and is dirt cheap ($6 for a 14 ounce grease-gun style tube).
Here's what I found:
Most purpose-specific dielectric grease formulations have a low-solidity silicone grease basis. The silicone obviously helps keep out the moisture (which is what we want).
There are a couple companies out there that manufacture specialty versions of dielectric grease that contains zinc particles suspended in the formulation. This is particularly good for connectors that have aluminum pins or spades (or receivers), because the zinc particles will cut away surface oxidation on the aluminum when the pieces mate together (and the grease then protects the freshly exposed aluminum from oxygen exposure, keeping more oxidation from forming), resulting in a very good connection. Since zinc also acts as an anti-galling material (keeps stuff from electro-welding or rust-welding itself together), this should be the best possible solution. I think I'm going to track down some of this stuff.
Some of these same firms also offer a copper-particle-suspension version, which according to their documentation is ideal for grounding paths involving copper-on-copper or copper-on-iron/steel interaction. I'm skeptical about where that would be suitable on the Kat except maybe the grounding wire from the battery to the frame (?). I think I'll stick to the zinc-laden one instead.
Anybody know where to find this zinc-dielectric grease in the USA? All the manufacturers seem to be based out of the UK for this -- you can even find it at your local Tessco there (think Target meets your local supermarket).
NoaLox at ideal industries.com
And
Burndy Penetrox A-13 (PDF document) (note: do not substitute Penetrox "A" for "A-13" -- only A-13 is compatible with plastic/rubber used in motorcycle electrical connectors).
Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet
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