Switchgear

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Switchgear

Postby Uncle Nick » Wed Nov 29, 2017 5:40 pm

Hi all, as it's freezing in the garage I've brought the (non-working) switchgear into the house to strip. I've separated and cleaned the contacts etc, which were very mucky with a thin black grease material covering everything. I've cleaned that off and lightly sanded the contacts, which appear ok. I suspect that the black stuff may have been a light oil that has protected the contacts but then ground accumulated dirt into a paste, until the contacts were insulated and stopped the switch from working.
So my question is, what type of oil or grease (if any) should I use on reassembly?
Thanks.
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Re: Switchgear

Postby DAVID THOMPSON » Thu Nov 30, 2017 2:43 pm

something that does not conduct electric
but no wd 40 or 3 n1 oil
Dave 2002 MZ RT125+1995 Saxon Tour(500cc)
1997 MZ 660 Traveller+6/13/09 WV USA
"IN the end times the IDIOTS will be in charge
of everything"
"I like the road less traveled if it's PAVED!"
wd8cyv at yahoo dot com
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Re: Switchgear

Postby Uncle Nick » Thu Nov 30, 2017 3:01 pm

Yes I think that it may be WD40 to blame.

I wonder if contact cleaner spray would be any good?
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Re: Switchgear

Postby DAVID THOMPSON » Thu Nov 30, 2017 11:07 pm

now that tv tunners are all solid state the good tuner cleaners are all gone
any one got any ideas

dave
Dave 2002 MZ RT125+1995 Saxon Tour(500cc)
1997 MZ 660 Traveller+6/13/09 WV USA
"IN the end times the IDIOTS will be in charge
of everything"
"I like the road less traveled if it's PAVED!"
wd8cyv at yahoo dot com
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DAVID THOMPSON
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Re: Switchgear

Postby Blurredman » Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:52 am

Vaseline or Dialetic Grease. 8)
1972 MZ ES250/2 - 16,000 miles - The project! :)
1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9,000 miles - Mud :)
1981 Honda CX500B - 91,000 miles - Long Distance :)
1987 MZ ETZ300 - 38,000 miles - Sun :)
1990 MZ ETZ251 - 49,000 miles - Commute :)

ftp://blurredmanswebsite.ddns.net/Vehicle_Documents/MZ_Documents/
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Re: Switchgear

Postby DAVID THOMPSON » Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:34 am

Vaseline + BIG MESS
Dave 2002 MZ RT125+1995 Saxon Tour(500cc)
1997 MZ 660 Traveller+6/13/09 WV USA
"IN the end times the IDIOTS will be in charge
of everything"
"I like the road less traveled if it's PAVED!"
wd8cyv at yahoo dot com
User avatar
DAVID THOMPSON
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Posts: 5150
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:01 am
Location: Parkersburg, West Virginia USA .questions answered MZ 95 up, BMW 1953 to 1979 and ham radio WD8CYV

Re: Switchgear

Postby Uncle Nick » Sat Dec 02, 2017 6:55 am

Thanks for the help guys. I've put a thin smear of silicon grease on the moving plastic parts but would like to try and prevent corrosion of the brass connections as well if possible.

I've never heard of a dielectric grease, I'll have to have a Google!
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Re: Switchgear

Postby DAVID THOMPSON » Sat Dec 02, 2017 8:30 am

dielectric grease a common use is when mount a power transistor to a heat sink
but not wanting an electrical connection
Dave 2002 MZ RT125+1995 Saxon Tour(500cc)
1997 MZ 660 Traveller+6/13/09 WV USA
"IN the end times the IDIOTS will be in charge
of everything"
"I like the road less traveled if it's PAVED!"
wd8cyv at yahoo dot com
User avatar
DAVID THOMPSON
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Posts: 5150
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:01 am
Location: Parkersburg, West Virginia USA .questions answered MZ 95 up, BMW 1953 to 1979 and ham radio WD8CYV


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