Hitchcocks Forum

A while ago (forgot when) the suggestion was made to pull every connector apart and apply a thin layer of dielectric grease to shut out moisture and prevent corrosion.
Dielectric grease is non-conductive: the rationale seems to be that the connecting metal parts will push the grease aside so you achieve still good connectivity while sealing off against moisture etc.

Have you tried this and is the rationale okay?

Clement

I've done this on several previous bikes, not Enfields so far, and found it it works at keeping moisture out where a connector may be exposed to direct water ingress. I shall do the same to my new C5 as I come across connectors that might need it. I just smear the pins / sockets and the sliding part. I can only assume it works as I never experienced a problem, so I would say yes go ahead. Is what I did do, is to do one two connectors at a time over a period of time so you would know if it was ok. No good doing them all and finding the bike won't start or lights not working, where would one start to look?

Contacts with a microscopic film of grease or oxide can still conduct electricity by the phenomenon of quantum barrier penetration.

+ 1 to excellent advice from RoSy. Aside from its waterproofing abilities, also enables you to pull connection apart (as opposed to simply pulling connector off the cable)......!

The dielectric grease I use is an aerosol silicone grease with a straw. It's quite thin. You can squirt it into already assembled connectors too.



You could use most greases for motorcycle electrical connections. If you had a knife switch carrying 50KV, then a dielectric grease would be essential because the arcing could break down or set fire to a standard grease but motorcycle electrics aren't going to stress it that way. Many people use Vaseline. The main reason for using dielectric grease specifically is it is silicone based and as such, won't attack any insulation or rubbers.

Thank you for your replies. I will go with it. Clement

I put a drop of ACF50 on the terminal before connecting up.

Vaselene ( petroleum jelly ) does the same thing

oops! - should have read Stinkwheels reply first

Just to let you know how I got on: I applied the grease to most of the connectors. Lights, horn, ignition etc etc still working fine so nothing lost in the process and hopefully better connectivity and some future corrosion proofing. Big plus was pulling a 3 pin connector apart which was already white with corrosion so could be cleaned up. Clement