Ridiculous Lithium Grease Question

[IGWright]

Got a Sony C-800G. Love that mic. Need to replace the tubes.

The tube in the mic itself has a cooling jacket that also needs to be replaced everytime the tube is replaces. Before the new tube is placed into the mic the frame that holds the tube needs to be packed with lithium grease.

I talked to Sony and they said any brand of lithium grease 'll do. I just wanted to confirm this with y'all.


All the best,


Ian:cool:

[Phil O'Keefe]

I don't own a C-800, and I've never replaced a tube on one... but if Sony says it's okay to use any lithium grease, I'd be willing to take them at their word... but I would get the name of the person I talked to, for "insurance" purposes, if you know what I mean. ;)

[IGWright]

Thanks Phil. That makes sense. Sony has always been a company that I've trusted. From consummer to pro, they seem to have it covered.

But you right about the name thing. It's funny how often a tech will give you advice and then when you get their name, they go check with someone else to make sure that what they are saying is right.

It almost like: "Oh, you wanted the real answer."


Ian:cool:

[greendoor]

As far as lubricating grease goes, the general description of "any lithium grease" is really too vague. I would expect them to mean any general purpose NLGI 2 grease with a lithium-based soap thickener. The type that is typically used in automotive wheel bearings. Whether it's an Extreme Pressure grease or not shouldn't make any difference in this application.

It seems like a reasonable choice, because most multi-purpose lubricating greases in the market are lithium-based, and they are naturally water resistant and have a high dropping point (aka melting point).

Grease products like Vasoline would be useless, as they melt at hand temperature. Wheel bearing grease can take up to 200 degrees Celsius before softening and running out.

[IGWright]

As I understand it, the grease is used to aid in heat dissipation. It was suggested to me that any electronics store should have the right item.


Thanks,


Ian:cool:

[greendoor]

I would be surprised if an electronic store carried lithium-based grease ... it's more of an automotive/industrial type grease. Very common, but I wouldn't associate it with electronics.

It's surprising they didn't recommend a silicon-based grease, which has way better thermal properties than a mineral-oil/lithium-soap grease.

[IGWright]

I'm outta the loop. This is what Sony recommended:confused:


Ian