T5 light end lubrication

[rayn]

I just picked up two 6 bulb tex lights. They came with the tank setup I bought. Going through everything and cleaning, figuring out what needs replaced I am taking the bulbs out. They turn, to me, rather hard and almost need pried out. Is there a safe lubrication for the end caps of these lights?

 

[143MPCo]

just to confirm you're talking about the "end cap" rubber rings noted in the first image below?

Or is it the electric connection points...

 

[redfishbluefish]

Dielectric Grease. Check auto stores....commonly used on spark plug connections....might be called something like dielectric tune-up grease.

 

[rayn]

Yes, the end caps. I pulled the reflectors to clean them, but here is the light. Still cleaning it up


Dielectric grease, hadn't thought of that.

 

[143MPCo]

Ok, thanks for clarifying that for me... lol

+1 on the "Dielectric grease".

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yes, the end caps. I pulled the reflectors to clean them, but here is the light. Still cleaning it up


Dielectric grease, hadn't thought of that.

Wow! That pictures shows me that they are really crudded up. You also might want to consider what we use to call "red juice".......Deoxit. It cleans up contacts. It's available as a spray and drops. I've only used the drops, and it's magical. Had a problem with the IceCap connectors and it fixed it immediately.

 

[MarkDarnell]

You can probably use standard deox. Ideal is a manufacturer that I know of and you can buy it at Home Depot or Lowe's in the electric aisles.

 

[rayn]

I took a step back from these lights. I need to figure out what I want and what to do with them. There are two of them, both in the same shape. Besides this I need all new bulbs and only one ballast works in each light, so I would end up replacing all 4. Not sure if I want to go forward with them or replace them, they are used to me anyway...came in a complete setup I bought.

 

[rayn]

Wow! That pictures shows me that they are really crudded up. You also might want to consider what we use to call "red juice".......Deoxit. It cleans up contacts. It's available as a spray and drops. I've only used the drops, and it's magical. Had a problem with the IceCap connectors and it fixed it immediately.

Thanks, didn't know about this stuff. Will get some if I keep these lights.