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| joshwilson3 | dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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Guru
 
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I know it is recommended to unbolt and clean your ground wires as they can develop corrosion. Or dirt, etc. can disrupt the connection.
Just wondering if it would be good or not to put something like dielectric grease or something else on the ground wire where it bolts down to help prevent corrosion or a future faulty connection? |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 1:31
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| josephf31 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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I wouldn't use anything, a good solid ground is vital. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 2:05
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| joshwilson3 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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What do you use to clean the grounds? I was looking at spraying it down with electrical contact cleaner. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 2:20
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| josephf31 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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I used a small wire brush, then some brake cleaner seems to cut any grease very well. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 2:22
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| BillH | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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The Stig Moderator
 
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Certainly not dielectric grease, dielectric grease impedes the flow of electricity.
I use good ol Vasoline, been doing it for years and years. I coat the battery terminals in it. After cleaning frame ground points to shiny metal I put it on the frame and the ring terminal. I've never had a corroded connection after doing this. There are products out there for this but they are very close to Vasoline & why pay more? All you're doing is to put a layer on the connection to keep oxygen away. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 2:23
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| BillH | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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No, do what Joe said, wire brush (or sand paper). The connection has to be shiny (meaning clean with no oxidation). |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 2:25
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| joshwilson3 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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So, the vasoline won't impede electricity flow? Is that fusable link block behind the battery a ground point? All those fusable links bolt down to this block, and then the block is bolted to the frame. Does anyone have a diagram of the ground points on an 89? I believe there is supposed to be one above the oil filter somewhere. Looks like that would be a pain trying to get a brush to it. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 2:27
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| josephf31 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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I was gonna say Vaseline too but wasn't sure if anyone else besides me ever did that!
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 2:28
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| BillH | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Yea, been doing it forever. Connectons like this are what I did for a living for 20 years with AMP Inc., the largest connector manufactor in the world. We sold a product for this but when I got a sample of it it looked and felt exactly like Vaso. No Josh, Vasoline won't impede electrical flow. The ground points- all I have is a 92 FSM, hopefully someone can tell you. BTW, I've done this to my 92. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 2:33
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| joshwilson3 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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What about putting something on the wires that bolt up to the starter? Not sure which is better vasoline or dielectric grease. I know sometimes those can get corroded and gummed up from dust/crap from the road and cause starting problems. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 3:18
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| flyboy | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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People been putting Vaseline on car battery terminals since cars had batteries, I think. I remember my dad using it.
Here's a few other uses for it. http://frugalforlife.blogspot.com/201 ... -for-petroleum-jelly.html |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 3:25
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| josephf31 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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I'd say neither; not usually a corrosion issue there and either would attract more grime than a clean solid bare connection.
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 3:27
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| bogus | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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what about that spray on red stuff for battery terminals?
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 3:30
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| SpectatorRacing | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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Elite Guru
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I use these on the starter and alternator:
http://terminalsupplyco.com/Store/Product.aspx?pc=TSHDS-4R Attach file:  TSHDSR_LG.jpg (0.00 KB) |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 13:00
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| BillH | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Yea, nothing on the started unless you get the boots Jon mentioned. If the ring terminals on the wire are dirty, clean them (400/600 sandpaper works well, a bit hard to use a wire brush). |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 13:14
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| BillH | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Works fine (again, you're just keeping oxygen out). It's a bit messy because of the spray, maybe spray it in a cup and brush it on. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/26 13:16
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| CadillacTech | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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Senior Guru
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I'm still a fan of using star washers on ground wires. They will "bite" into both the grounding surface & the cable end. They also help to keep the cable or wire tight.
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Posted on: 2011/8/27 16:24
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| Vetron87 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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Elite Guru
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For years I've serviced batteries with a paste of water and baking soda to neutralize the acid around the posts/ bat tray and terminals lugs flush with water and dry. Use a battery brush on terminal and posts. Tighten terminal and coat with Vasoline. I have tried the professional sprays and terminal cleaners. I like the old school method. I do the cleaning and servicing in the fall and late spring.
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Posted on: 2011/8/27 19:34
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| Strick | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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I replace batteries at the local zone. We use a good battery cleaner spray to remove the green mushrooms that grow on the terminals. It works well. Then once clean, we try to brush the terminals (inside) so they are shiny. After installing the terminals we put the little package of corosion protector on the bare metal of the terminals to prevent corosion. Works well. Most corosion starts with a poor ground.
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Posted on: 2011/8/27 20:42
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| joshwilson3 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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Guru
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Quote:
Alot of the ground wires have a built in star washer. If there is more than one ground wire on a spot, usually one of the wires have this built in washer that is bolted next to the frame. The ground on the side of the block above the oil filter uses a loose large washer. I'm replacing that with a new star washer. |
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Posted on: 2011/8/27 22:35
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| JrRifleCoach | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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Elite Guru
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Back in my days as a helicopter mech we used a paste developed by the aerospace groups that was a compound of dielectric grease and aluminum filings. After cleaning and sanding the grounding point and the terminal ends we brushed a small amount on each terminal end. Then tightened the screw/nut/bolt. The grounding point was finalized by brushing a coat of lacquer over the entire connection to seal it from water and elements. Done correctly, these points were bullet proof for years. All the engine compartment grounds are finished in this fashion on Rose.
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Posted on: 2011/9/5 5:45
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| joshwilson3 | Re: dielectric grease on ground wires | ||
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I also cleaned that fused wire junction behind the battery. I didn't put anything on those wires.
Does that thing go to ground? As those wires get bolted down on a block, which is bolted down to the frame. |
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Posted on: 2011/9/5 9:56
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