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Hate to display my ignorance. I got this stuff to give my new aluminum antenna a fighting chance against atmospheric corrosion in my attic, per an earlier suggestion here. I assume I got the right stuff. It didnt' say "silicone", but it does indicate that it's an oxidation inhibitor in a squeeze tube for electronics for aluminum and copper.How does one use this stuff? Can it be used with CAIG and with Silclear?
In other words, if I treat the connections with CAIG and with Silclear or with only CAIG, can I then put this stuff over that? Do I put this stuff over the actual driver conncetions to the aluminum backgone and the wiring?
Help! I can think of lots of options but have no idea which actually works.
Follow Ups:
If you coat the connection with the dielectric grease, you shouldn't need to use the Caig stuff. But if you must use both, there shouldn't any detrimental interaction.FWIW, you can get the former all over the contact surfaces, and it won't degrade any pressure connection once tightened. I fill critical exterior F connectors with the stuff as an added moisture barrier, with zero signal loss. Where you live, that might be a good step to take.
I seem to recall a Ford product used by Ford on its under the hood computer connectors. Glop it on and it seals and maintains the contact.
Another great product is made by the Cortex company, with their Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors. Great stuff which really works.
Do you live near the ocean or in some other climate where corrosion is an especially big concern?Dielectric grease is non-conductive and is used as a barrier method protection against corrosion, as well as to provide electric insulation and prevent low-voltage arcing. The grease stays, well, greasy, and doesn't dry and crack over time.
Which CAIG product do you mean? In general, if the other products you intend to use dry to a hard coating, you may use the grease with little fear of any chemical interaction.
You can use the grease over, but not in, electrical connections, including the signal and ground connections to the antenna. The other products may or may not be used in connections - check label instructions to be sure. At my old place I had an antenna on a mast; I used this stuff over the coax connection to the antenna (both inside and over the boot), over the ground attachment to the antenna/mast and at the stake, and the antenna rotator connections. Far as I know it worked great - never had to go back up there in the 11 years I used it.
Of course, if you're particularly concerned about interactions, get some scrap materials and experiment on them.
Yes, I live in the middle of San Francisco Bay! The antenna will go in my attic, but that's open to the moist air. Can't say truly salty air, but who knows....Thanks for the help. That's what I was picturing, using it over the external parts like the goop they put on auto battery connections (or used to).
Actually, that battery stuff works pretty well, too. And you can get it in a spray can - but beware the fumes.I used to live near the water, so I did see a little bit of corrosion with some gear. Aluminum oxidizes - and on bare surfaces, the oxide actually provides some protection once it's formed - but it's not desirable in connections. Hence, the barrier protectant approach.
Obviously, get the thing situated about where you want it before you goop it up. The grease works well by being sticky - so it will stick on you, too.
And drop by sometime for some java and a listen!
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