Lubrication for Rotary Switch

[rstor22]

I recently purchased an old decade capacitor box. Two of the rotary switches appear to turn smoothly however the third has much more friction. I sprayed some CRC 2-26 lubricant on the metal to metal contact and it appears to have improved. I wanted to know if some grease such as Lubriplate white (see below) would be recommended for the metal on metal area highlighted in red (below).

Rotary Switch:

Lubriplate:

[danadak]

Whenever you grease an open frame switch like that use minimal amount of
grease, basically goal is a simple film. To prevent any grease from migrating
into switch contacts.

DeOxit has a number of cleaners/lubricators for switches.


Regards, Dana.

[rstor22]

Thank you Dana. Is the area I highlighted in red known as the bearing section of the rotary switch?

Do you think the lubriplate I have would work or do you suggest I purchase Deoxit brand grease?

[nanofrog]

They do use white lithium grease for electronics, but there are additives (straight lithium grease will oxidize and gunk up). For example, DeOxit's L260DNp is a mixture of white lithium grease and D100L (red liquid).

Lubriplate makes a similar product, DS-ES, and is less expensive. You may be able to find this locally, such as in an automotive parts store (worth a shot anyway.  ).

[rstor22]

I have been googling for a Canadian retailer of Lubriplate DS-ES however I don't appear to be having much luck. I do see that a local electronics store carries electronic grade lithium grease and it mentions on the product that it won't harden:

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/greases-and-lubricants/lubricants/lithium-grease-8461

Also see attached TDS

Do you think this will be good ?

[Gregg]

Super Lube NLGI 2 would probably be better than Lubriplate.  Amazon carries it and automotive stores should carry it.  it is synthetic grease that doesn't oxidize or dry out.

[P90]

grease is a bad idea on any open contact, it collects dirt and creates a resistance. use a switch contact cleaner/lub instead.

[rstor22]

I have CRC QD contact cleaner which I have used in the past on switches. In those cases I would follow up with CRC 2-26 lubricant.

For the electrical contacts of a rotary switch I could envision using the above. For the open ball bearing area wouldn't grease make sense as it is high friction metal on metal ?

[nanofrog]

For the open ball bearing area wouldn't grease make sense as it is high friction metal on metal ?

IMHO, yes.

It provides better lubrication than an oil, and due to the high viscosity, tends to stay put. FWIW, the MG Chemicals would do as well (not sure of your budget is, so wanted to offer up an alternative or two that comes in under Caig's Deoxit grease). It's excellent stuff though, and a little goes a long way (thin film, not oozing out).

Not sure about Super Lube as I've never tried it. I just bite the bullet as they say and buy Caig's products (D100L, G100L, F100L, and grease). They're a bit on the pricey side, but their products work IME. They offer sample packs (tubes) that keep the costs down (not the grease though).