Preventing Corrosion - Dielectric Grease?

[vachief]

It seems quite often (probably less than every few years), my connections to my grounding block outside get corroded. I've had DirecTV guys come out in the past, but this time, I've decided to do it myself.

My question is... what can I do to prevent the connectors from becoming corroded? I already have the grounding block in a plastic case, but it's obviously not enough. I've read about using dielectric grease. Will that be sufficient? If so, how do you apply it? Do you actually put the grease in the barrel before you connect it to the grounding block? Or do you just put it on the threads? Or do you just put the grease as an outer coating AFTER you make the connection?

BTW, I assume I'd be able to pick up dielectric grease at a place like Home Depot, correct?

[Mertzen]

You put a small drop ( half the side of a pee ) inside the connector, then just wrench tighten the connector and the grease will spread inside.

Do you have a pic of your ground block. If so then post and we can give additional pointers.
I use Boss 440 grease, but any dielectric grease should do. If they have something specific for electrical connections get it.

[vachief]

Thanks for the info. Right now the grounding block is a bit of a mess. Once I get things cleaned up (probably over the weekend), I will post a picture to see if you guys have any suggestions on how I can improve the setup.

[BattleZone]

In high corrosion areas (i.e, near the ocean), cable companies often use rubber boots that slide over the connectors (the boots must be installed on the cable before the connector), and they squirt some dielectric grease into the boot before sliding it forward over the connector. That's probably overkill, but salt water can be merciless...

[joe diamond]

In high corrosion areas (i.e, near the ocean), cable companies often use rubber boots that slide over the connectors (the boots must be installed on the cable before the connector), and they squirt some dielectric grease into the boot before sliding it forward over the connector. That's probably overkill, but salt water can be merciless...

Back in my cable hanging days...........one system paid to remove the "spark plug boots" they had paid to cover their ground block fittings. An improved compression fitting was also installed. As I switched to a nearby system they were paying to add cable grease and "plug boots" to their ground blocks.

When I switched to Primestar they wanted an "F" fitting with cable grease inside a "drop box", using flooded cable for the exterior run. DTV dropped the flooded cable and drop box. Then they dropped cable grease but insisted on compression fittings only.........on exterior fittings. Then added a rubber washer on ground blocks.

When I found the $.09 "F" fittings with the "O" ring and gel that became my choice...$.09= $9.00 / hundred.

Someone has to be wrong.

Joe

[AntAltMike]

When I found the $.09 "F" fittings with the "O" ring and gel that became my choice...

They were my choice for a long time, but I have to warn you, one end of F-81 barrels is usually more tapered than is the other, and I have had water get into the center conductor on "O" ring fitted connectors that were on the more tapered end of the F-81 barrel. In other words, the "O" ring simply wasn't big enough to seal that end of an F-81. I've had it happen both with the old fashioned crimp style, gel filled connectors, as well as with the DRS compression connectors.

[joe diamond]

They were my choice for a long time, but I have to warn you, one end of F-81 barrels is usually more tapered than is the other, and I have had water get into the center conductor on "O" ring fitted connectors that were on the more tapered end of the F-81 barrel. In other words, the "O" ring simply wasn't big enough to seal that end of an F-81. I've had it happen both with the old fashioned crimp style, gel filled connectors, as well as with the DRS compression connectors.

Good one!

Never noticed that, I'll watch it. I try not to use barrels out doors anyhow. That suggests a good spot to start trouble shoot for sudden system failure or missing transponders. And I have found underground repairs with barrels that just didn't work; hmmmmmmm!

Joe

[thekobk]

How old is the wire itself? I have been on many repeat service calls with corroded connectors and found it was actually the wire itself that went bad.

[Mertzen]

How old is the wire itself? I have been on many repeat service calls with corroded connectors and found it was actually the wire itself that went bad.

Indeed. Sometimes the wire gets punctured and water seeps slowly down the cable.

[joe diamond]

Indeed. Sometimes the wire gets punctured and water seeps slowly down the cable.

Installed along a dock. High tides brought crabs to loops and bends in the rg6. Eventually a crab bit through. Salt water just shredded the copper clad cable. Had to move the wire up and into conduit.

Considered flooded cable and RG6 in conduit as cable companies use.

In salt conditions yearly opening & inspecting all fittings with a reapplication of dielectric (cable grease) seems to be a way to go.

Dielectric lube is not certified for use as a birth control measure or for the prevention of STDs.

Joe

[RobertY]

:DAuto parts stores carry dielectric grease for electrical connections.