FF/GPS Connections

[dgax65]

Originally Posted by sdcityboy

is dialectric grease the same as dialectric silicon compound? they sell tubes of it at west marine and in an aeresol

Same stuff. I got the one in an aerosol can. You're probably better off with a small tube. When you squeeze the trigger on the can a ton of the crap comes out and it gets all over the place. When I first started using it, I would always get too much on the connectors. Too much dielectric grease will definitely attenuate the already small signals from the transducer and ruin your sonar's performance. If you get a small tube you can carefully apply to individual connector pins and small, hard to reach areas within connectors.

[Handymansd]

I tried the aerosol as well and had similar results . I bought the 3M 8oz tub with a brush applicator. I have used it for 2 years and it still almost full. The brush can help get the grease into very small areas as well as help you to get rid of excess amounts. Dielectic grease (silicone paste), also works really well for lubricating o-rings, and other friction rubber areas like twisting hatch covers with rubber rings, etc., but Vasoline is cheaper for those uses.

Doug, is there a reason not to use just plain ol' Vasoline? I have never researched it because it seemed like a dumb question... but... Inquiring minds want to know....

[dgax65]

I read somewhere that Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly) deteriorated certain types of rubber.....or maybe it was rubbers that it deteriorates I don't know. They say that you shouldn't use it when you're using a rubber.....or maybe that's super glue I don't know, but I'll do some research. Reading type research....Google searches and that sort of thing. No field tests or anything like that. Why are you asking me about Vaseline anyways? Did somebody say something? Damn, why can't people just keep their mouths shut.


Seriously...petroleum jelly does cause latex rubber to break down. Silcone grease is safe for use with all types of rubber. I don't know if natural latex is commonly used in O-ring seals; I doubt it, but I may be wrong. Just in case you do have latex O-rings, the silicone is a better option.