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Using the Silver Paste
Threads provide
electrical contact
Silver paste is applied to thumbscrew threads
on new units at the factory to improve the
electrical connection from the battery compart-
ment through the housing on any SMB Series
transmitter. This applies to the standard battery
door and the battery eliminator.
The small enclosed vial
contains a tiny amount (25
mg) of silver conductive paste.
A small speck of this paste
will improve the conductivity
between the thumbscrew and
the case.
With improved conductivity (lower resistance) more of the battery voltage can
get to the internal power supplies causing reduced current drain and longer
battery life. Though the amount seems very small, it is enough for years of
use. It is, in fact, 25 times the amount that we use on the thumbscrews at the
factory.
To apply the silver paste, first completely remove the cover plate from the SM
housing by backing the thumbscrew completely out of the case. Use a clean,
soft cloth to clean the threads of the thumbscrew.
NOTE: Do NOT use alcohol or a liquid cleaner.
Simply hold the cloth around the threads and turn the thumbscrew. Move to
a new spot on the cloth and do it again. Do this until the cloth remains clean.
Now, clean the threads in the case by using a dry cotton swab (Q-tip) or
equivalent. Again, clean the case threads until a fresh cotton swab comes
away clean.
Open the vial, and transfer a pinhead speck of silver paste to the second
thread from the end of the thumbscrew. A easy way to pickup a speck of paste
is to partially unfold a paper clip and use the end of the wire to acquire a tiny
bit of paste. A toothpick will also work. An amount that covers the end of the
wire is sufficient.
It is not necessary to spread the paste more than a little bit on the thread as
the paste will spread itself every time the thumbscrew is screwed in and out of
the case during battery changes.
Do not apply the paste to any other surfaces.
The cover plate itself can be cleaned with
a clean cloth by rubbing the slightly raised
rings on the plate where it contacts the bat-
tery terminal. All you want to do is to remove
any oils or dirt on the rings. Do not abrade
these surfaces with a harsh material such
as a pencil eraser, emery paper, etc., as this
will remove the conductive nickel plating and
expose the underlying aluminum, which is a
poor contact conductor.
Apply paste to second thread
from end of thumbscrew
