7-Pin Plug Hard to Connect. Is Dielectric Grease the Answer??

andyboy

I have a new TV with a newly installed 7-pin receptacle. Seems to be quite a tight fit. Connecting to it takes a few times and causes a bit of frustration, lots of colorful language (I have yet to find the right combination of words to make it easier) and a few bumps and bruises along the way. I realize tight is right connection-wise but is there something I can do to make it easier?

The dielectric grease seems like it could help by adding a bit of lubrication, according to things I've seen on YouTube and in Google. But then again I gave myself an appendectomy from what I learned from those two sources---didn't go well.

So with this connector for our 320S Boondock, I don't want to take any chances.

So! Will it help? And howbest apply it?

Sharon_is_SAM

@andyboy - tight is right?  Our 7 pin goes in easier by tipping it up and leading with the lower end.  Kind of hard to describe.

andyboy

So rather than going straight it, sneak in underneath and then  tip it in straight to connect?
By tight is right, I meant it has to seat securely rather than “almost securely.”

Sharon_is_SAM

@andyboy - correct.  Ours is mounted so that it faces inward toward the license plate and it can be a challenge, so I am empathetic😊

ChanW

It should help. Dielectric grease is a good idea anyway. It keeps the water out, and prevents corrosion.
A corroded plug (or receptacle) is never a good thing!

tabiphile

Dilectric grease should not be used on the connector terminals. It is not conductive. Connector plugs are designed for a "bare" contact. Connectors should not require any lubrication in that they are designed to self lubricate. Dilectric grease could also carry dirt into the connectors. 
It would be appropriate to use it on the outside of the shell to help you insert/remove it (and keep water out) but do not get it inside the plug.
If you think you have a connectivity issue a product like Tweak is designed for improving contacts connectivity but based upon your explanation it sounds like a fit/alignment issue, not connectivity.
You might want to check the alignment tab on both sides of the connector to see if there are burrs or damage that are keeping the plug from fitting.

andyboy

tabiphile, it’s definitely a fitament issue. Connectivity seems to be fine. Thanks for your advice.

Sharon_is_SAM

We use the dilectric grease to protect the 7 pin from corrosion and water effects, too.  This is the first time I have heard not to use it that way.  Found this info on theDrive.com.

Will Dielectric Grease Worsen a Connection?

There is a myth floating around that putting dielectric grease into electrical connections can cause them to fail because the grease gets between the metal. That’s not true. 

Although the dielectric grease does insulate the metal and wiring from external invaders, the contacts are tight enough to still maintain a connection, the grease is just displaced. That said, you do not need to squirt huge globs of dielectric grease into your connectors as you see in some videos out there.

When To Use Dielectric Grease

Dielectric grease acts as a lubricant, a sealant, an insulator, and a protectant when lightly used on these applications.

• Battery terminals
• Spark plug boots
• Bulb sockets
• Trailer connectors
• General electrical connections
• General plastic or rubber lubrication

tabiphile

Sharon_is_SAM said:

We use the dilectric grease to protect the 7 pin from corrosion and water effects, too.  This is the first time I have heard not to use it that way.  Found this info on theDrive.com.

As previously noted, connectors are designed with a very specific interference type fit that insures conductivity when the male and female side are joined. Most include a plating that prolongs the life of the contact and also enhances conductivity. Typically they are made of brass, phosphor bronze , beryllium copper and similar alloys (Ampcoloy 944 etc.) and then plated with gold, nickel or tin. The addition of a "lubricant" is unnecessary and may be counter productive and especially if (in the case of grease) it carries dirt or contamination into the connector. 

From the same "the Drive" article FAQ:

Q: So Does Dielectric Grease Improve a Connection? 

A: No, dielectric grease is not conductive, so it does not improve connectivity. 

Q: Then Is Dielectric Grease Necessary?

A: No, dielectric grease is not needed for any connections to work.

rcarlson1957

Use electrical contact cleaner for your electrical part of the connection. You can use it to clean both the male (tow vehicle receptacle) and female (camper power plug). Use silicone lubricant on the the non electrical part (outside) of the connection (part that goes in the channel - that may be what is binding). Like previously mentioned, dielectric grease to protect a connection not improve it - it's not conductive. But if it's something you tighten like a battery terminal it will force the grease out as you tighten it. Here's an example: clean battery cable and battery terminal with electrical contact cleaner. Connect cable to battery. You can now put dielectric grease over the connection to protect it from dirt and other contaminants. I use a battery protector spray instead of dielectric grease for that purpose. On my TV and camper connection I just clean periodically with electrical contact cleaner.
 

andyboy

@Sharon_is_SAM and @tabiphile, well it seems the plot thickens or gets greasier about dielectric grease!

I applied some of the stuff on the outside of the connector and the inside of the  receptacle which seemed to help to make a connection.

Sometimes.

And @Sharon_is_SAM, I tried your suggestion of attacking from below but it didn't seem to help. And then, I can't tell you why, I tried from the left side and it connected, with difficulty and not consistently, but it made a solid connection. Upon closer inspection it looked as though one of the connnector blades was bent a bit. I got it into alignment and then all my problems were solved.

I did not use the dielectric grease on any of the connectors, just the outsides as a lubricant. Like I know what I'm doing.....but it seemed to help. Thank you all for your wisdom.