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Stabilant 22

Discussion in '308/328' started by mike996, Apr 22, 2009.

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  1. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    #1 mike996, Apr 22, 2009
    I've seen recommendations for this product re treating elec connections so I've done some research. I ran across an USAF test where it was rated as "not accepted" for the purpose for which it is sold. Just thought it would be interesting for those considering using it. Apparently there are much better products though how available they are, I have no idea.

    I've never personally used any of these "contact enhancers," I'm a "clean the contacts and apply dielectric grease" kind of guy which has worked flawlessly for me on cars and boats for more years than I care to admit! But I might try out one of the "accepted" products in the future. :)

    The test is here...http://www.lektro-tech.com/images/Scott_Dobson.pdf
     
  2. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #2 enjoythemusic, Apr 22, 2009
    Proven contact enhancers and cleaner are made by Caig Labs. Still, they can 'gum up' of sorts and i like your method best. For TRULY CRITICAL connection (like airbags for cars, mil spec items for jets, etc) use gold.
     
  3. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

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    #3 Paul_308, Apr 23, 2009
    My experience with military connections agrees with Steven, especially about gold plating. One fault with modern cars is the electrical connections which aren't gold, yet are expected to work more than ten years which is adequate time for tin based surfaces to heavily oxidize and become intermittent.

    That said, I do have and use Stabilant 22a in the 15ml bottle which cost $52. While not a miracle cure, it's worth having around for the times it does work.
     
  4. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

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    #4 davehelms, Apr 23, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    When improperly used the Stab leaves an insulating film that causes more harm than good. Use of that product over the years is what led to my Gold Contact Kit for the motronic and other systems on the car. The Tin terminals had a designed life span of 10 assemble/disassemble cycles, the gold contacts are rated at 100 cycles. Notice the gaps in the contact's on the old OEM Tin ones, corrosion is only part of the problem at hand.
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  5. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #5 mike996, Apr 23, 2009
    Interesting...that USAF test mentions that even gold contacts corrode, at least under the conditions used on aircraft. As I read more about this last night I also discovered that "Tweek," a contact enhancer marketed to audiophiles some years ago is Stabilant 22. I was a TOTAL audiophile back then and tried all sorts of stuff, including that, to "improve" sound. I couldn't tell that it did anything at all from a circuit longevity point and, like all of the audio snake oil products, and there are jillion of them, it did absolutely nothing to improve the sound unless you were "pre-convinced" that it was going to. Then the "performance increase" was dramatic. But that sort of pre-convinced performance improvement is common in automotive products as well...
     
  6. spiderseeker

    spiderseeker Formula 3

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    #6 spiderseeker, Apr 23, 2009
    I've used Radio Shack's contact cleaner spray with good luck, but what I do, is use the cleaner to remove and dirt-corrosion, then wipe the contacts clean and apply a light coat of dielectric grease, then attach the connector. Never had a problem.
     
  7. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

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    #7 davehelms, Apr 23, 2009
    True on both, there is a reason the USAF, Aerospace and high end Audio industries use Gold. None of the systems in the 308/328 are critical or sophisticated enough to require its use. All depends on how good/long someone wants something to work and last and the environmental conditions it is subjected to.

    'Mechanic in a can'.... very few do precious little in the way of measurable results and then there are some that work all too well. Some of the fuel injection cleaners do an incredibly good job of cleaning the fuel tanks of all debris....
     
  8. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #8 enjoythemusic, Apr 23, 2009
    Agree that corrosions is only part of the problem. You have insertion lossm etc. True mil spec also means a gas-tight connection to keep air out (guess you could have an atmosphere of nitrogen around the cotnact just before 'sealing' them to aid at reducing corrosion). Also agree that things tend to gum up from the use of 'cleaners/enhancers. On another front, Caig has different formulations for different metals. Relaitvely recently some have been using a type of super fine silver in a kid of dielectric grease. When silver corrodes even the 'corrosion' is quite good at carrying an electical signal.


    As an audiophile, there are some good and less than good products. Some are great, others may be 'snake oil'. Somewhere in my database is the FAA's aircraft spec stuff yet can't find it. Just did a search, check http://ato-p.se-apps.faa.gov/faastandards/FAASpecs.htm

    The ideal would be a vacuum, short of that i am guessing a gas tight fit (with nitrogen or perhaps some other gas before it is sealed up).

    Also, BE CAREFUL with various contact enhancers as they may react BADLY to various plastic formulations.
     

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