Amps
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [Amps] Use Caution when using Silicon Dielectric Greases

To: gwasik@gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] Use Caution when using Silicon Dielectric Greases
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <k8ri@rogerhalstead.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2018 05:46:12 -0400
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
There are a number of heat conductive and electrically conductive compounds available. Do a search on them. There should be some rather inexpensive compounds. I believe Beryllium dioxide (BR2) grease should work.  It's very expensive in "grease gun cartridges", but it should be inexpensive on small quantities.  It's messy and tenacious to use.  Get it on your hands and it seems to take on a life of its own.:-D  IIRC Its designed for high pressure, low RPM contact, but works well on things like rotary inductors.

73, Roger (K8RI)

On 7/6/2018 10:08 AM, Greg Wasik wrote:
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@rogerhalstead.com <mailto:k8ri@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)


    ---
    This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
    https://www.avast.com/antivirus <https://www.avast.com/antivirus>


    _______________________________________________
    Amps mailing list
    Amps@contesting.com <mailto:Amps@contesting.com>
    http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
    <http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps>



--
Roger (K8RI)


_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>