Conductive Grease?

[wake74]

Short back-story: Trying to get a horn installed on my track-rat BMW E36, that has the typical NRG short hub (non-quick release) and aftermarket wheel. It's driven to the track, so needs an inspection. A BMW horn grounds through the column, with the horn button as the switch in the circuit. Everything works correctly with the wheel & hub just pushed onto the splined shaft. As soon as I tighten the center bolt mounting the hub to the wheel the horn doesn't work. Assuming, with it loose it is "laying" on the splines and making better grounding contact. When I tighten it, it must be pulling centering the splines just enough to not make good contact.

Long story for a short question. I'm thinking conductive grease on the splines would bridge the small gap. I've got the usual stuff in the garage, copper anti-seize, bearing grease, etc. Would one of those work, or is there something at HD / Lowes?

 

[EOC_Jason]

You can always stick your meter in your anti-seize on the Ohm setting and see what it does...

 

[TomC750]

Several times I have wanted a conductive grease. I have checked several compounds and settled on graphite. None of the others had any conductivity at all.

 

[matt_i]

Try this

Jet Lube SS-30. Used to make temp repairs on spot welding equipment when it can't be serviced right away.
http://www.jetlube.com/pages/SS30.html

Also there's Jet Lube Kop-R-Kote if you need more of a grease and less of the copper.

 

[Lightning rod]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gardner-Bender-1-oz-Ox-Gard-Anti-Oxidant-Compound/4514334

 

[awdblazer]

copper to copper penetrox

 

[MEngineer]

Ideal makes some for electrical terminals that can be found at Lowe's.

 

[wake74]

Thanks guys. A few options to check out this morning. I'll report back later today, if I'm successful with the horn project.

 

[drewsifer714]

I found out on accident that engine assembly break-in grease is conductive. Did very strange things when some got on an open distributor.

I don't know 'how' conductive it is.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Parker CHO-LUBE 4220 is designed specifically for that type of application. It is a conductive grease.

Tommy

 

[rlitman]

I found out on accident that engine assembly break-in grease is conductive. Did very strange things when some got on an open distributor.



I don't know 'how' conductive it is.

That’s the moly in it. It can oxidize over time though.

The graphite suggestion is a good one. Nickel anti seize would work too if you have it.

 

[kbs2244]

Wouldn't an auto parts store carry it?
It is often called for when replacing bulbs.

(I have mine left over from before the local Radio Shack closed.)

 

[laser3kw]

Permetex web site says copper never seize has good electrical conductive properties. I tried to get a reading with a DVM -nada

 

[rlitman]

Wouldn't an auto parts store carry it?

It is often called for when replacing bulbs.



(I have mine left over from before the local Radio Shack closed.)

Dielectric grease is non conductive. It helps out in conductive joints by preventing oxidation. But it won’t help much here.

 

[Worsedog]

Auxiliary horn button on the dash.

 

[wake74]

Auxiliary horn button on the dash.

Worsedog is the winner. I messed with it some more this afternoon, using one of the conductive electrical greases listed above, and still couldn't get the stupid thing to work when bolted all the way down. Was getting frustrated screwing with something as simple as a horn.

Going to a momentary pushbutton near the interior light fade switch on the dash.

 

[matt_i]

I just thought of this. I have had issues starting my GMC Yukon for a couple of years, I am always worried about overtorquing the bolt in the side terminal battery and stripping out the lead-pocket. Battery stays on a minder almost all of the time.

Slightly in desperation before replacing the B+ cable, I coated both side terminals with the SS-30 that I mentioned above and it started the first time and every time after with so much speed, I was pretty floored. It actually looks like ground up copper that someone put a few drops of oil into.