Installing new Diaphragms

**badtoby** · February 15th, 2012, 07:41 PM

So... I have new diaphragms for my 802's and they need the new wires to convert to the quick connectors. I have 1/4" connectors but they do not make a firm connection. Are these metric? Also what wire do you use I have rat shack stranded 20g.

**Old Guy** · February 16th, 2012, 05:54 AM

20 is a tad small, I use generally 18, but doubt the difference is much on a short piece. Sometimes VERY lightly pinching the connectors with a pair of needle nose helps.

**badtoby** · February 17th, 2012, 03:49 PM

Thanks OG for the advice someone suggested a drop of solder to keep them connected. They are so lose that if you hold them upside down the connectors fall off. Which made me wonder if they were metric.

**Altec Best** · February 17th, 2012, 05:08 PM

They are adjustable as OG said. Just pinch them with needlenose.Just be super careful around the magnetic field and diaphragm.If you pinch them too tight it maybe hard to slip them on the male connector.

**VolvoHeretic** · February 17th, 2012, 11:13 PM

Shouldn't a guy be using a dab of dielectric grease on all connections?

**badtoby** · February 18th, 2012, 12:53 AM

Dielectric grease? Is that the stuff they smear on the paddles before they jump start you at the hospital.

**cradeldorf** · February 18th, 2012, 01:34 AM

Originally Posted by badtoby

Dielectric grease? Is that the stuff they smear on the paddles before they jump start you at the hospital.

That would be the stuff, although it won't work if your terminal...LOL I personally wouldn't put it on my terminals, I don't like the sound of grease in my speakers...or on my speakers for that matter. Shabamm!!!That is my first double Pun!!! I hope John Travolta or Olivia Newton John doesn't read this.

**bowtie427ss** · February 18th, 2012, 08:51 AM

You'd want a conductive grease, not dielectric.

If you know a tower climber or lineman, you might luck into some of this stuff. I use it on most of the electrical connections on my powertoys and outdoor mechanical connections on solar panels.

contax

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · February 18th, 2012, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by bowtie427ss

You'd want a conductive grease, not dielectric.

I've never heard of using conductive grease. Dielectric is used on electrical connection to keep moisture out, not as an aid to electrical conduction. I don't see any reason to use grease on speaker/diaphragm terminals, becasue moisture shouldn't be an issue.

**bowtie427ss** · February 18th, 2012, 10:58 AM

I don't see any reason to use grease on speaker/diaphragm terminals, becasue moisture shouldn't be an issue.

I was caught in a time warp, thought we were hangin 291's on 203's at the race track.

I agree that in a home application, properly tight and dry is the way to go.

FWIW, mechanical connections of dissimilar metals can(and do) form non conductive layers of oxides over time when exposed to the elements(even indirectly). This is sometimes why some audio enthusiasts hear vast differences when they install new interconnects. The difference in their case has more to do with scraping clean contact area that had formed surface oxidation. Cleaning connectors should be considered as routine annual(or more often) maintenance, IMO.

That ITT "goo" used to be used for all ground and lightning suppression connections, and some RF connections on communications towers in this area as well as telephone line junctions.