Thoughts on...

[jeremysdad]

Dielectric grease, general purpose?

Proper usage?

Are we doing it wrong if we smear it on the male end of the connector (which, terminally, is the female end, technically)?

*giggle

Serious question, and I'm not 12, I'm 35...don't tell my wife...she won't believe either of us!

 

[Curious Hound]

My understanding is that dielectric grease is intended to prevent moisture from entering and corroding the components of the connection. It does not conduct electricity, so It will not short out the connection if it is globbed on all over the place.

Yesterday, when wiring my new lights, I basically filled the female part of the connector, plugged in the male part and then wiped away the excess. I probably used too much.

(which, terminally, is the female end, technically)?

The male is the part that goes "into" the female. Here are a few basic examples. These are not always the best connectors to use especially in exterior applications, but they work well in some instances.

In this picture, female on left, male on right.


In this picture, male on left, female on right.

 

[jeremysdad]

I was referring to the style of plugs in the obd1 trucks, specifically the alternator vr plug. The female terminals are in the male plugs and vice versa. Too many beers last night. Lol

 

[Andy D]

First, I would clean the contacts with DeOxit areally good cleaner. Then make and take the connection apart. a few times. Then goop up the connection with Di-electric.Wheel bearing grease works just as well. A snug fit will displace the grease to seal out moisture.

 

[adsm08]

Here we run into an important and often incorrectly understood distinction. This often leads to misuse of some of the products involved

There is regular electric grease, and then there is dielectric grease.

Electric grease is conductive and for use on low voltage applications like light bulbs, and voltage regulators, and ABS modules (I am thinking of a specific recall there). It is clear and runny and is Motorcraft part number XG12.

Dielectric grease is actually an insulator in low voltage applications and is meant for high voltage, high tension applications like spark plug wires and brake caliper slide pins. It is whiteish and pasty and really thick. This is Motorcraft part number XG3A

Electric grease should be applied lightly to the female side of the connection to ensure good continuity at the joint. Dielectric grease should be applied around the outside of a connection to keep water out.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

^^^ Thanks for the clarification, I'm still young enough to learn something. lol.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I didn't know any of that either until about a year ago when Ford sent out a thing to all the dealers basically saying "Hey dumbasses, based off how these parts are being billed you guys are using these wrong".

 

[Mark_88]

Yeah, I didn't know any of that either until about a year ago when Ford sent out a thing to all the dealers basically saying "Hey dumbasses, based off how these parts are being billed you guys are using these wrong".

That's what I miss about not having my Dad around...he was the the guy sending out those notes and memos...but he did it verbally so the message was loud and clear.

I had been filling the connectors with the thick and pasty stuff thinking it was supposed to lubricate the electrons so they flowed through the wires like lightning...

The corroded ends of the battery was caused by the electrons that were not greased scraping on the sides of the wires and building up the gunk that they deposited on the post when they returned from their electronic journey.

Now I won't feel so bad cleaning up my battery posts knowing it isn't dirty electron feet droppings...

 

[Curious Hound]

The corroded ends of the battery was caused by the electrons that were not greased scraping on the sides of the wires and building up the gunk that they deposited on the post when they returned from their electronic journey.

Now I won't feel so bad cleaning up my battery posts knowing it isn't dirty electron feet droppings.

Now that's just hilarious.

As for the connector gender, you go by the actual electrical contact gender, regardless of whether the housing appears to be male or female.

...and thanks for clarification on the two greases. I'm sure we all needed to read that.

 

[97RangerXLT]

So, those connectors that ate female housed in a male connector considered transgendered?

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I think the dielectric grease I used on my plug wires was opaque/clearish.

More or less I just used it as a lube to get the boots to slide onto the wires easier which it made a huge difference.