die-electric silicone-to use or not to use

[First Attempt]

A guy at a boat shop that i went to said i need to use die-electric silicone in all the connections when i do wiring, i was also told by another person that it wasn't needed if i use heat shrink connectors, then coat them in liquid electrical tape. Whats your opinion?

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: die-electric silicone-to use or not to use

Everyone has an opinion on that here's mine.

I use it on every connection that runs near, around or through the bilge. I also use it on the battery terminals to prevent corrosion. Other than that I leave the connections w/o the diaelectric grease. I double crimp and heat shrink every connection too.

It's cheap insurance.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: die-electric silicone-to use or not to use

It certainly doesn't hurt to use it.

 

[FishyFun]

Re: die-electric silicone-to use or not to use

I use it on all connections that plug into one another and on my trailer especially the ring terminals for the ground screws, anything that is screwed or bolted together. On other connections, splices etc I solder and double heat schrink.

lee

 

[TonyNoriega]

Re: die-electric silicone-to use or not to use

I've used it for over 10 years with very good success. The instructor at Pinellas VoTec recommended it's use when I took an outboard course and I never fail to use it whenever a connection is made. The brand I bought is called ElectriGuard (I think it's a die electric grease rather than silicone) or something similar and since you only need a think coating it lasts forever.

 

[wire2]

Re: die-electric silicone-to use or not to use

I've seen nylon insulated crimp connections corrode from carrying 12v with moisture present.
But not if they're filled with dielectric compound first, the stripped wire inserted, and crimped.

GE and Dow-Corning (and others) make it for its temperature rating (600?), water resistance, and dielectric properties.

I use the Dow Corning most of the time but find clear synthetic grease works just as well. I believe they're both silicone based.

 

[Kymasabe]

Re: die-electric silicone-to use or not to use

As a plumber, I've used silicone grease for years. As it got harder to find at plumbing supply houses, I now go to the electrical supply house and buy the same stuff, now labeled as di-electric grease. I spent 13 years in automotive before switching to plumbing and we used it in every electrical connection that we came across (wiring harness connections, bulbs and sockets, etc...). I use it on my boat on all connections that come apart like my boat light wiring harness, bulbs, GPS connector.

Heat-Shrink alternative: Use all-weather/extreme duty butt connectors. You can cut, strip, insert and crimp your connection easily and quickly. Then, heat the butt connector and it shrinks like heat shrink. But, unlike heatshrink, the butt connector is lined with an adhesive. When you heat it, the glue melts and oozes out the end, sealing the connection from water, moisture, air, oxidation of any kind and helps keep the wires from pulling out.

 

[dingbat]

Re: die-electric silicone-to use or not to use

Heat-Shrink alternative: Use all-weather/extreme duty butt connectors. You can cut, strip, insert and crimp your connection easily and quickly. Then, heat the butt connector and it shrinks like heat shrink. But, unlike heatshrink, the butt connector is lined with an adhesive. When you heat it, the glue melts and oozes out the end, sealing the connection from water, moisture, air, oxidation of any kind and helps keep the wires from pulling out.