I have been doing electronic work for 40+ years. I have ALWAYS used dielectric grease on my exposed electrical or electronic connections. No it is not conductive. A good electrical connection depends on the mechanical connection. If you have a solid mechanical connection it will not cause any issues. The grease will be forced out of the way of the metal parts where they touch. You don't want conductive grease on something like a gps/depthfiinder plug or you would be shorting the pins together. When I build battery cables I shoot the lug full of the grease, stick the cable in the lug, then crimp the lug. Then the heat shrink. I have done hundreds and never had one come back. Same with any other boat or trailer wiring except that in the bilge area or on a trailer I wipe off the excess grease after crimping, paint the connection with 5200, then slip the heat shrink over it. Yes, it's messy but it will last a lifetime.
Dielectric grease is a non-conductive, silicone grease designed to seal out moisture and, therefore, prevent corrosion on electrical connectors. Being non-conductive, it does not enhance the flow of electrical current. This property makes it an ideal lubricant and sealant for the rubber portions of electrical connectors.Dielectric grease is typically a translucent, grey substance that is insoluble in substances such as ethanol, methanol, mineral oil, and water. It is soluble, however, in the industrial solvent methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and mineral spirit. It is important to note that dielectric grease will melt silicone rubber over time, and thus should not be used on connectors, such as o-rings, that are made of this rubber.While the indicated use of dielectric grease calls for it to be used only on the non-metal parts of a connection, it has been shown to be effective at preventing corrosion when applied directly to the metal connectors as well. Care should be taken when using it in this way, because this application can, in some instances, cause the connection to stop working. A common reason for such a failure is that the grease has not been pushed entirely out of the way between the two points of contact.
Dielectric grease is a nonconductive grease. As such, it does not enhance the flow of electrical current. Thus electrical conductors should not be coated with dielectric grease prior to being mated. Dielectric grease is, however, often applied to electrical connectors, particularly those containing rubber gaskets, as a means of lubricating and sealing rubber portions of the connector.The widest use of dielectric grease is in high-voltage connections associated with spark plugs. The grease is applied to the rubber boot of the plug wire. This helps the rubber boot slide onto the ceramic insulator of the plug. The grease also acts to seal the rubber boot, while at the same time preventing the rubber from becoming stuck to the ceramic. Generally spark plugs are located in areas of high temperature, and the grease is formulated to withstand the temperature range expected.Another common use of dielectric grease is on the rubber mating surfaces or gaskets of multi-pin electrical connectors used in automotive and marine engines. The grease again acts as a lubricant and a sealant on the nonconductive mating surfaces of the connector. It is not recommended to be applied to the actual electrical conductive contacts of the connector because it could interfere with the electrical signals passing through the connector.
Yeah, I use a Klein crimper. I bought an expensive Ancor crimper but I don't like using it. I have an old hand powered battery cable crimper. It's about 3' long but it's a cam action and like you, I dare someone to try to pull the wire out of the lug. (don't you just love the ones you replace that were crimped by flattening them with a hammer? )
