[Amps] Use Caution when using Silicon Dielectric Greases

[Greg Wasik]

I have a large egde wound Kintronics roller inductor and I'm using it in a
remote antenna tuner that I built.

I've been using silver conductive grease on the inductor contacts.
(roller)  It is not cheap but you might find a less expensive source....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T8QLYM/ref=od_aui_detailpages01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Greg
K1YW

On Thu, Jul 5, 2018 at 10:15 PM, Roger (K8RI) <k8ri at rogerhalstead.com>
wrote:

> Silicone dielectric greases work just fine as long as there is no arcing.
> If there is an arc in the grease, the grease will break down into its
> constituent components, one of which is Silicon Dioxide.  This is not a
> problem as long as the wiper(s) maintain a constant contact. I've used it
> for years. Even used both DC4 and DC5 in ignition systems with only one
> exception. After all, these compounds were designed for and used on the
> ignition systems of B17s.
>
> However, one distributor cap had a flaw and the grease leaked through to
> the inside. The rotor wiper was fine, but each connection to the spark plug
> wires has a tiny gap. Each gap had a "growth" of Silicon Dioxide which
> eventually grew to the point where the end of the rotor hit it, breaking
> off mostly small pieces which quickly ground the insides into a mess. The
> same thing would happen with an RF arc.
>
> I haven't used a roller inductor in many years, but I used Silicone grease
> with no problems when I did.
>
> For those who aren't aware, Silicon Dioxide is Quartz. Fine Quartz is a
> very tough abrasive!  IIRC it was used for the Space Shuttle windows in its
> crystal form which were made by decomposing HSiCl3 at high temperature. I
> do not know the process was implemented.
>
> --
> 73, Roger (K8RI)
>
>
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