I was wondering about using dry graphite on the axle bushings on my P2K Geeps. Will it conduct electricity? I have used it before on the needle point bearings on some of my rolling stock with excelent results, Just a dab, don’t want any on the wheels or track. If the stuff will conduct electricity why not use a SMALL dab on the ends of the axle for luberication? It will not collect dust and is an excellant lubercant. Any ideas on the subject? Thanks. Mike
I use graphite grease for my kadee coupler’s and draft gear boxes. I use either labelle or wahl’s clipper oil on my locomotive drive system gears. I guess the graphite will work on the gears in the locomotive but will really get your hands and the equipment pretty dirty and smudged by using it… chuck
Unless there is a warning on the label about not using it on surfaces that are meant to be electrically neutral when they are in proximity, or something along those lines, I think it should not inferfere with the functions that way. I would wonder about how it would migrate outward onto surfaces where it may affect appearance.
Mostly, though, I would want to know which delivery medium is being used. Is it plastics safe? How about for the paints typically used?
Yes and no.
It is a conductor, but not a great conductor of electricity.
A heavy pencel line does a fairly good job, but, in that case the plates of graphite is forced to touch each other and have reasionably good contat with each other.
OTOH, with powdered graphite there is nothing to ensure that the plates of graphite have good contact with each other.
motor brushes are made of graphite so conductivity should not be a problem. since the graphite is used in coupler pockets on cars it should not be an issue with the paint. i wouldn’t use it in loco axles where electrical pickup is made because i like electrical connections to be clean and dry. also the powder may migrate to the wheels and rails.
Perhaps, but, motor brushes are made from a solid piece of graphite, which is going to give better conductivity than powdered graphite.
Mike, I personally have never done this but I know that it is done successfully! The key words to remember are RESTRAINT and SMALL AMOUNT!!!
I use it on my rolling stock with great results like you said. It worked fine on my locos but I found it was a little messy to apply. I’ve been using a dab of that CRC 2-26 cleaner/lubricant on all my locos. I love that stuff.
The graphite will migrate out of the bushings and end up on the rails causing your loco(s) to lose traction big time.
Most wheel bearing surfaces are made of either bronze or phosforbronze and really don’t need extra lubrication. Adding graphite or any other lubricant is really just asking for trouble, dirt in the works, on the track, etc. If the wheels aren’t already turning freely, then something else may be causing a problem like dirt, binding, etc. The best thing you can do for loco bearings is run your trains, the more you run them, the more the bearings will seat. Using graphite anywhere in a loco is not a good idea as it does tend to migrate everywhere and gets messy.
The only place I use it is a tiny puff in the kadee coupler boxes.
I mix it with alcohol and put just a tiny bit right where I want it with a toothpick. Alcohol dries in a flash, and the graphite is left exactly where I want it, and no where else. Been working for about 20 years if I remember right.
Great idea! Thanks![tup]
Has anyone used graphite with moly on loco’s?
Used some on my son’s pine wood derby car and it moved like a scalded cat - and while a few cars beat it to the base of the ramp none of them could keep their speed up like it did.