Topband: Connector grease

[Tom W8JI]

>
> I've never had medical grade petroleum jelly attack any connectors....
> that's not saying it won't, it's just that I've never had an issue with
> it.

I've never heard of it attacking connectors. But I would never flood a high 
power connector with anything, even silicon dielectric grease. I think doing 
so is just asking for problems.

Petroleum jelly is a hydrocarbon, and liquifies at around 100F. It does emit 
flammable vapors that are harmful to some materials. Don't take my word for 
it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_jelly



I think it is generally a bad idea to flood a high power coaxial connector 
with anything, because almost anything other than air can lead to carbon 
tracking problems. I will never use something that liquifies and runs at 100 
degrees or so. It is flammable with something that wicks, just like kerosene 
or fuel oil. Soak some cotton balls with vasolene and light them.  :)


> OTOH, I've had clear "silicone grease" attack electrical connectors such
> as
> "Jones plugs" and the like.  The "plastic" insulation, probably Bakelite,
>
> in those plugs would develop a dead short with only ~12V DC
> across the pins in just a few months!!

It may be time to rethink a bad experience from the 60's and 70's, 
especially when we don't know the intended application or composition of the 
materials that caused issues.

Almost every modern vehicle has connectors flooded with some sort of grease, 
and silicon dielectric grease is a recommended waterproofing and corrosion 
protection. It is flooded right into connectors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicone_grease.

http://www.acc-silicones.com/products/siliconegrease.ashx

73 Tom