Dielectric grease has some effective effects on electrical connections to reduce corrosion. Moreover, some might be curious about what it will do if you apply some to your battery terminals.
Does dielectric grease on battery terminals bring benefits or harm?
This article will go over all you need to know about dielectric grease, including its advantages and dangers for your battery connections. Then, read until the end for more valuable knowledge and tips!
What Is Dielectric Grease?
Dielectric grease has a common name as tune-up grease. It is a non-conductive, silicone-based lubricant that shields electrical contacts from rust, moisture, and debris.
Moreover, it can help reduce arcing between some electrical components. Permatex and CRC are two common types.
This item is perfect for lubricating and sealing the rubber components of electric connections that interfere with the flow of electric currents.
How To Use
- A thickening is added to silicone oil to create dielectric grease. It is both water- and fire-resistant. Knowing if the grease is an insulator is vital before applying it.
- Make sure this item stays away from the areas where parts link or the electrical currents’ path. This is due to its insulating properties, which impede current passage.
- Thus, it should be used and applied to the electrical part’s body or exterior surface, where currents are not flowing.
Applications
This silicone-based item features various applications, such as bulb sockets, ignition systems, battery terminals, spark plug boots, headlight connectors, etc.
In detail, dielectric grease is used to stop voltage leakage in a high-energy ignition system. It may also work with various connections and terminals, including spades, butt connectors, rings, and heat shrink terminals.
Electrical connections, especially those with rubber gaskets, frequently employ dielectric grease. In this instance, it serves as a non-conductive lubricant and sealant for the rubber components of the connection.
Spark plugs and other high voltage connections are two other applications.
The spark wire’s rubber boot can glide into the ceramic insulator easily with the support of dielectric grease. It also helps seal the rubber boot seal without stucking in the ceramic.
Moreover, it is designed to withstand the high temperatures used in most spark plugs. Yet, keep in mind not to use it on the connector’s electrical conductive contacts.
Can You Use Dielectric Grease On Battery Terminals?
Can you put dielectric grease on battery terminals? Yes, you can use dielectric grease for battery terminals.
Yet, avoid applying it in the vicinity of those connections because they discharge high-current electrical.
Battery terminals are a critical engine component responsible for its main electricity working.
Hence, if grease minimizes or blocks such connections, reduced power production and various problems with the electrical flow may appear.
Even though this grease has excellent advantages, you should keep in mind that using it is optional. Therefore, if you choose not to utilize it, there won’t be any issues.
In other words, you don’t need it to operate your engine because you won’t require anything like engine oil or coolant to run your engine.
Of course, you can use this solution should you wish to guard the battery terminal against potential corrosion.
In addition, this lubricant might help your automobile and its parts last longer and perform better.
However, try to avoid placing it between the terminals or hunt for better options to ensure it won’t impact the power flow.
Pros And Cons Of Using Dielectric Grease On Battery Terminals
Although you can use the dielectric grease battery terminal, your engine does not really need this product to operate effectively.
Indeed, it can bring you some benefits, but there are some undesired problems.
It is because the battery creates a high-current flow, while experts recommend using dielectric grease with a low-current flow. This can be one of the causes that ruin the battery besides a bad alternator.
Thus, this section will list the pros and cons of dielectric grease for battery terminals. Then, you can consider them to make your decision.
Pros:
- Prevent dust, dirt, or foreign objects from entering the connections.
- Protect the connections from corrosion.
- Extend the life and quality of the battery and some car’s components.
Cons:
- Affect the flow of the battery due to not being an electric conductor.
- Misusing it can lead to poor connection and make the car won’t start right after turning off.
Where Can We Put Dielectric Grease On Battery Terminals?
As mentioned before, this is not a must item, but you need to apply it correctly to maximize its benefits. Thus, you need to remember some notes:
- If you need to apply dielectric grease to battery terminals, try not to overdo it. Applying too much can block the current flow. When you employ a sufficient amount, all the excess grease will come out when bolted and leave just enough volume to fill in the existing gaps without impairing the contact between electrical connectors.
- It will effectively keep any air or moisture from getting to the connectors. However, using other options will be safer and preferable. We will mention it later.
Thus, how to use dielectric grease on battery terminals? You might follow these steps to ensure the benefits and reduce risks:
- Of course, the first step is to prepare the necessary tools and enough dielectric grease.
- Next, before greasing, experts always advise you to clean all the connections, regardless of whether your terminals are rusted or not. Do not forget to make sure the connections are dry.
- Apply a thin layer of grease to the terminals after cleaning them.
- In this step, you need to clamp the terminal and fasten them together with a bolt. This way, it can let the grease excess run out. Clean it, and you can have a strong and excellent connection.
Bonus Tips: What Can We Use Instead Of Dielectric Grease?
Dielectric grease’s property isn’t a conductor of electricity.
That’s why the previous section said that it wouldn’t assist you in boosting your power flow. Instead, the grease protects the electric connections by avoiding corrosion.
If you want to enhance the output of your battery terminals, you won’t need it. You can use other products in its place. Here are some of the options we think you’ll like.
Anti-Corrosion Spray
As its name implies, anti-corrosion spray like WD-40 protects your metal’s surface from rust-causing contaminants. Water, oxygen, and other substances that cause rust can be all inhibited by this layer.
For corrosion prevention, the anti-corrosive spray outperforms dielectric grease. It is because this product can reach the small places where your fingertips can’t.
Dielectric grease can be used between wires, but only for low-current connections. Again, this is due to the high voltage rating of the battery connectors.
Honestly, the property of an anti-corrosive spray isn’t an electrical conductor. Yet, it’s still an ideal safeguard because it won’t obstruct the output of your battery connections.
Lithium Grease
Lithium grease is another anti corrosion grease for battery terminals that may be used as a substitute. It is considered a white and all-purpose lubricant that may work wonders for various applications.
You can buy this product at auto shops, which is a perfect suggestion because it does not harm the connection.
In detail, we can use this product to lubricate metal-metal or metal-plastic contacts. It will aid in reducing friction to create the smooth movement of components. Moreover, this item acts as a rust preventative.
In addition, lithium can work to prevent future corrosion by displacing air and moisture from the surrounding area. As a result, it provides protection against such issues.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly (also known as petrolatum) is a semisolid jelly-like material. It is made chiefly of waxes and mineral oils. Since Robert Augustus Chesebrough found it in 1859, this product hasn’t altered much.
Due to its benefits and various applications, it is a common product in every household. For example, Vaseline is one of the most well-known petroleum jelly products.
An application of petroleum jelly is to apply to the battery terminals when reattaching the cables.
You can accomplish this by rubbing a small quantity into the terminals before attaching the cables. After cleaning and letting the terminal dry, you may apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to them.
A modest quantity would be sufficient to provide the correct lubrication, avoiding corrosion and assisting in the connection’s strengthening.
FAQs
Can I Use Silicone Grease On Car Battery Terminals?
Yes, you can.
Silicone grease is a combination of silicone oil and a thickener featuring waterproof characteristics. It is also known as dielectric grease.
Because silicone grease has such a wide temperature range and won’t liquefy at higher degrees or during the summer heat, unlike automotive grease, Vaseline, etc., this product is far superior to nearly any other substance for avoiding corrosion on battery connections and lugs.
Is Vaseline A Dielectric Grease?
No, they can’t be more different.
Dielectric grease is a translucent compound primarily used to seal and shield electrical wires from dust, sand, dirt, etc. Meanwhile, Vaseline is the name of a famous brand of petroleum jelly.
In contrast to petroleum jelly, which will burn if exposed to heat or an electric current, dielectric grease does not conduct electricity.
Additionally, vaseline has a relatively low melting point compared to dielectric grease, which can sustain extremely high temperatures. As a result, Vaseline will flow and dry out if it is subjected to any heat.
Moreover, dielectric grease is rated more effective at maintaining connections than Vaseline.
Thus, petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is less durable and would not outlast dielectric grease under high temperatures.
What’s The Difference Between Dielectric Grease And Regular Grease?
Lubricating grease and dielectric grease are created differently to serve different purposes. The lubricating grease often consists of lubricating oil, a thickening, and other additives.
Meanwhile, a dielectric one is typically formed of a thickener and silicone.
An impressive characteristic of dielectric greases is an electrical nonconductor. This is what most of the lubricating grease doesn’t have.
Yet, the ability of various greases to conduct electricity relies on the additives added to the basic grease.
Where Should You Not Use Dielectric Grease?
As mentioned before, dielectric grease is a silicon-based product. Thus, you should not use it on any silicone-based plastics or rubbers since it will cause the degradation of such materials over time.
In addition, it is not recommended to apply this type of grease directly on an electrical connection’s mating surfaces (sockets and pins). It is because it is a non-conductor product.
Since dielectric grease has a low viscosity, many experts also advise against using it in high-temperature parts that will reach temperatures of more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
To conclude, using dielectric grease on battery terminals can work well in preventing electrical connections from corrosion.
Yet, you might remember that it is only recommended for low-current connections. That’s why some alternatives will help.
Moreover, because dielectric grease for battery terminals is optional, the engine can do well without using it.
However, misusing this product can cause problems with the flow and significantly shorten the battery life.
As a result, please take note of all the necessary information above to reduce the potential risks!