Lubricating cell pins

Padowan · 23rd February 2007, 21:41

Been thinking about trying something to try to reduce the black mouldy build up on the cell pins. Some people have talked about using grease to redice corrosion, but I was wondering what possible down sides using normal grease could be - silicone grease is non-conductive from my researsh, so it would not be a good choice where we are dealing with mV sized voltages.

In the absence of finding a proper electrical conductive grease, I was wondering if perhaps something like CopperSlip could be used, as it has lubrication (anti sieze) properties, and also contains a high percentage of copper, so would have thought that it would be a better conductor. Obviously I'd need to be careful to ensure that I didn't have any grease shorting out the cell pins, but so long as I do that, I think it's a nice cheap solution.

Anyone tried using this, or would I be asking for trouble giving this a go.

Marky Mark · 23rd February 2007, 22:07

I would have thought that a non conductive grease would be the correct stuff to use as it would stop and condensation getting to the pins while allowing the metal to metal contact required to make a circuit. The grease shouldn't take part in the circuit.

**nigelh** · 23rd February 2007, 22:14

I'd reach for the electrical contact cleaner that I used to use to 'decrackle' volume controls. I think it was just a cleaner with some silicon grease in it so it cleaned the surface and then dumped some goo so the dirt didn't redeposit itself as the volatiles evaporated.

Failing that the electrical silicon grease I tend to use on everything that isn't hp oxygen.

paulraymaekers · 24th February 2007, 09:16

our experience with cell contacts: grease them well, and in exxess, with (offcourse) a non-conductive grease (avoiding short-circuit between pins)

electrical contact is by metal-metal contact, where the contact is, the grease is 'pushed away'
where no contact: the metal stays protected

thinking that you can isolate two metals that are in contact with each other, by just applying some grease, no way :-)

paul

Skipbreather · 24th February 2007, 16:40

There’s a combination cleaner/ conditioner/ lube called ‘ProGold G5’ that is popular w/ many of the MK15.x folks for keeping their priceless Bendix pins in good form. KJ recommended it heavily during my MK15 course and swears by it. Performed well for me on pins. Stuff is expensive as hell but works. Sounds like a good bet for your needs as well.

Ken

silent running · 24th February 2007, 17:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by Skipbreather)

There’s a combination cleaner/ conditioner/ lube called ‘ProGold G5’ that is popular w/ many of the MK15.x folks for keeping their priceless Bendix pins in good form. KJ recommended it heavily during my MK15 course and swears by it. Performed well for me on pins. Stuff is expensive as hell but works. Sounds like a good bet for your needs as well.

Ken

Yes, ProGold is good stuff, I use it on all my contacts, the sensor pins, harness pins and also the male parts of my Lumberg cable at the head. It is expensive, but you only need a very small amount for it to be effective. I still have the same tiny tube I got with my spares kit 5 years ago, I'm about 1/2 way through it...

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 24th February 2007, 17:51

Of course, I am using a different unit (Optima). So, I don't know enough about how everything works in yours.

This being said, I spray some ProGold into the harness pins holes from the sensors plug in. I let it sit to evaporate the residue, and then I plug back in. That way, I am not putting anything on the pins directly but the cable contacts cleans the pins when I slide the connector on. This has worked well for me, and I do not feel like I am taking a chance with creating a short.

dive2dive2000 · 24th February 2007, 17:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

Yes, ProGold is good stuff, I use it on all my contacts, the sensor pins, harness pins and also the male parts of my Lumberg cable at the head. It is expensive, but you only need a very small amount for it to be effective. I still have the same tiny tube I got with my spares kit 5 years ago, I'm about 1/2 way through it...

dido great stuff. I just slip pin in and out of tube very little is needed (and a pin head drop in all my other connectors. Sometimes less is more

dive2dive2000 · 24th February 2007, 17:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

Of course, I am using a different unit (Optima). So, I don't know enough about how everything works in yours.

This being said, I spray some ProGold into the harness pins holes from the sensors plug in. I let it sit to evaporate the residue, and then I plug back in. That way, I am not putting anything on the pins directly but the cable contacts cleans the pins when I slide the connector on. This has worked well for me, and I do not feel like I am taking a chance with creating a short.

IMHO what unit you dive is irrelevant, moisture and corrosion can alter mv readings and electrical connections. Pro Gold is a good lub to help prevent this.

Mdemon · 24th February 2007, 21:06

Si, you already know I just stick O2 grease on the pins and squirt some into the molex. It works, but not for very long. Buy some of this expensive stuff everyone is on about and I'll help you try it out...

23rd February 2007, 21:41	#1 (permalink)
Padowan Proper Boffin Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kent, UK. Posts: 518	Lubricating cell pins Been thinking about trying something to try to reduce the black mouldy build up on the cell pins. Some people have talked about using grease to redice corrosion, but I was wondering what possible down sides using normal grease could be - silicone grease is non-conductive from my researsh, so it would not be a good choice where we are dealing with mV sized voltages. In the absence of finding a proper electrical conductive grease, I was wondering if perhaps something like CopperSlip could be used, as it has lubrication (anti sieze) properties, and also contains a high percentage of copper, so would have thought that it would be a better conductor. Obviously I'd need to be careful to ensure that I didn't have any grease shorting out the cell pins, but so long as I do that, I think it's a nice cheap solution. Anyone tried using this, or would I be asking for trouble giving this a go. __________________ Padowan The future's bright, the future's Yellow .....for now padowan.net - Latest Video: Scapa Flow Rebreather Diving
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23rd February 2007, 22:07	#2 (permalink)
Marky Mark New Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Darlington, UK Posts: 88	Re: Lubricating cell pins I would have thought that a non conductive grease would be the correct stuff to use as it would stop and condensation getting to the pins while allowing the metal to metal contact required to make a circuit. The grease shouldn't take part in the circuit. __________________ It'd be rude not to. "You are a terrestrial mammal for crying out loud - you have no business going underwater in the first place." - Richard Pyle (and my mum)
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23rd February 2007, 22:14	#3 (permalink)
nigelh New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, Sussex, UK Posts: 837	Re: Lubricating cell pins I'd reach for the electrical contact cleaner that I used to use to 'decrackle' volume controls. I think it was just a cleaner with some silicon grease in it so it cleaned the surface and then dumped some goo so the dirt didn't redeposit itself as the volatiles evaporated. Failing that the electrical silicon grease I tend to use on everything that isn't hp oxygen. __________________ nigelh
(Online)

24th February 2007, 09:16	#4 (permalink)
paulraymaekers rEvo's daddy Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: belgium Posts: 1,494	Re: Lubricating cell pins our experience with cell contacts: grease them well, and in exxess, with (offcourse) a non-conductive grease (avoiding short-circuit between pins) electrical contact is by metal-metal contact, where the contact is, the grease is 'pushed away' where no contact: the metal stays protected thinking that you can isolate two metals that are in contact with each other, by just applying some grease, no way :-) paul __________________ www.rEvo-rebreathers.com .... the earth is flat, Elvis is alive, and radial scrubbers give longer dwell time than axials...
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24th February 2007, 16:40	#5 (permalink)
Skipbreather Reads the fine print Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet MK 15.X Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA Posts: 557	Re: Lubricating cell pins There’s a combination cleaner/ conditioner/ lube called ‘ProGold G5’ that is popular w/ many of the MK15.x folks for keeping their priceless Bendix pins in good form. KJ recommended it heavily during my MK15 course and swears by it. Performed well for me on pins. Stuff is expensive as hell but works. Sounds like a good bet for your needs as well. Ken __________________ "Entropy RULES! Enjoy the interim."
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24th February 2007, 17:19	#6 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,832	Re: Lubricating cell pins Quote: (Originally Posted by Skipbreather) There’s a combination cleaner/ conditioner/ lube called ‘ProGold G5’ that is popular w/ many of the MK15.x folks for keeping their priceless Bendix pins in good form. KJ recommended it heavily during my MK15 course and swears by it. Performed well for me on pins. Stuff is expensive as hell but works. Sounds like a good bet for your needs as well. Ken Yes, ProGold is good stuff, I use it on all my contacts, the sensor pins, harness pins and also the male parts of my Lumberg cable at the head. It is expensive, but you only need a very small amount for it to be effective. I still have the same tiny tube I got with my spares kit 5 years ago, I'm about 1/2 way through it...
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24th February 2007, 17:51	#7 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,130	Re: Lubricating cell pins Of course, I am using a different unit (Optima). So, I don't know enough about how everything works in yours. This being said, I spray some ProGold into the harness pins holes from the sensors plug in. I let it sit to evaporate the residue, and then I plug back in. That way, I am not putting anything on the pins directly but the cable contacts cleans the pins when I slide the connector on. This has worked well for me, and I do not feel like I am taking a chance with creating a short. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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24th February 2007, 17:55	#8 (permalink)
dive2dive2000 PRISM DIVER & LUVIN IT! Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 788	Re: Lubricating cell pins Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Yes, ProGold is good stuff, I use it on all my contacts, the sensor pins, harness pins and also the male parts of my Lumberg cable at the head. It is expensive, but you only need a very small amount for it to be effective. I still have the same tiny tube I got with my spares kit 5 years ago, I'm about 1/2 way through it... dido great stuff. I just slip pin in and out of tube very little is needed (and a pin head drop in all my other connectors. Sometimes less is more __________________ Safe Diving, Martin
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24th February 2007, 17:59	#9 (permalink)
dive2dive2000 PRISM DIVER & LUVIN IT! Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 788	Re: Lubricating cell pins Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) Of course, I am using a different unit (Optima). So, I don't know enough about how everything works in yours. This being said, I spray some ProGold into the harness pins holes from the sensors plug in. I let it sit to evaporate the residue, and then I plug back in. That way, I am not putting anything on the pins directly but the cable contacts cleans the pins when I slide the connector on. This has worked well for me, and I do not feel like I am taking a chance with creating a short. IMHO what unit you dive is irrelevant, moisture and corrosion can alter mv readings and electrical connections. Pro Gold is a good lub to help prevent this. __________________ Safe Diving, Martin
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24th February 2007, 21:06	#10 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,926	Re: Lubricating cell pins Si, you already know I just stick O2 grease on the pins and squirt some into the molex. It works, but not for very long. Buy some of this expensive stuff everyone is on about and I'll help you try it out...
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