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Cleaning electric connectors

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Catskill Pete

06-15-2003 19:40:46

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Working on more and more implements with electric operated adjustments. The connectors are giving me fits, has anyone found a spray on "something" that really works to clean the copper connectors.

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Jim in NM

06-18-2003 14:25:06

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

Many years ago (before they realized that it depleted the ozone) one of the best cleaners for electrical connectors was Tric. (Triclouroethane, later called Triclourotriflouroethane) Due to the fact that you can't use it anymore, and if you do it would be wise to wear rubber gloves and a respirator because of the carcinegens and a few other cancer causing related things...may I suggest alcohol and an acid brush. Good way to get those connectors clean, and it evaporates off without any harm or hazards to the body or the enviroment. There is/was a spray cleaner called Electra-Clean made by Permatex. You may want to try this also or some Dielectric.

Good Luck with your project.

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buickanddeere

06-18-2003 09:06:46

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

The ultra sonic cleaning baths with various chemical brews. Will leave greasy or corroded metal clean without breaking tiny pins or stretching sockets.

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06-17-2003 19:58:50

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

I have been using "Bowl Cleaner" to clean copper and brass for years. Just make sure you use plenty of water to nuteralize after. Then coat with plain old "Vasoline". Vasoline works on battery terminals and small electric bulbs as well.

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Fred OH

06-17-2003 11:32:44

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

Well, I see a couple of new (unusual ones) that I've never tried...but the best one I know of is none other than Kool-Aid!...Huh! Yep...learned it in the navy. Any brass or copper based metal can be cleaned by using probably any of the citris based powders in a little water. Works better if you can boil the part for a while in this solution. Try it on a penny and see. items required: Kool-Aid (regular 2qt. pkg), pan, water and heat source and tray of ice cubes. You weren't gonna waste the Kool-Aid, were you? Use your favorite flavor. The stuff we used in the navy was something like...Beverage Base, type 1 class 2...and for some reason it was called "Bug Juice", never knew why. Any other old sailors know? Also, for some reason I keep thinking we used coffee grounds...but maybe that was for steel decks...anyone? Only kidding about drinking the beverage base...unless your stomach is plumbed with copper pipes (smile) L8R....Fred OH

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buck

06-16-2003 07:16:18

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

If your connections have that greenish-white corroson brought on by the effects of battery acids try brushing on a solution of baking soda and water.Just a tea spoon of baking soda in a coupla ounces of water is good to work with. Many times(especially with 6V) this corrosion will work it's way through the wire a long way from the battery.The old military trick was to coat connections with bearing grease after cleaning but I hesitate to do this unless it is a presistent problem because of dirt/dust buildup. Should your connections have a drownish/rusty look then the corrosion is likely coming from the presence of moisture and something to prevent the presence of moisture may be necessary. Heat shrink covering or soldering will reduce this desease. If a particular piece of equipment is giving alot of problems I would tend to have a look at the voltage delivered to the individual components. Should vibration be a concern then hardwiring with solder and heat shrink covering can be the answer

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Catskill Pete

06-16-2003 07:10:05

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

The problem is that the wiring connectors are embedded and so small that I usually have to use a dentist pick to try to clean them. As to the protection after they are cleaned--sounds like a good idea. But what to use, I'm familar with dielectric silicone for spark plug wires, will that work? Or is their something better?

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Ben in KY

06-16-2003 08:27:18

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Re: Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-16-2003 07:10:05

Not sure on the dielectric grease. I got a quart of EJC at an electrical supply house about 25 years ago, and still haven't used half of it. Great stuff, use it for coating battery terminals and contacts on trailer light bulbs, Home and shop wiring connections, etc. Check with your electrical supply house, they will have something, just don't get the stuff with copper grit in it ( for compression connections).

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Vern-MI

06-17-2003 09:24:31

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Re: Re: Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Ben in KY, 06-16-2003 08:27:18

Gardner Bender, (GB) Inc. of Milwaukee, WI makes a product called Ox-Gard, cat. #OX-400 to be used as an anti oxidant compound on electrical connectors including aluminum wiring. It comes in 4 ounce squeeze tubes. Moisture can wick up into the wires and quite a distance back into the harness. The only way around this is to use non-wicking wire. The connectors, spade lugs and barrel pins and sleeves also loose a significant amount of their interference fit with each successive connect and disconnect. Automotive installations are good for 5-7 installations and disconnects before they must be replaced.

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Ben in KY

06-16-2003 06:44:45

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

Cleaning is just the first part of solving the problem. After cleaning, coat the connector surfaces with a good electrical joint compound grease to prevent corrosion from coming back.

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revredneck

06-16-2003 05:42:57

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

Pete,
There are several methods that work well, depending on how accessible the parts are. A wire brush usually does the trick, but it can take a lot of elbow grease. Also sand paper or scotch brite pads does a fine job of cleaning contacts and terminals to a shine. If corrosion is your problem, you can get stuff in a spray can at your local auto parts store, just be sure to use lots of water to rinse the stuff off. But in the case of things like battery cables where you can work them around or even remove them, I have had excellent results by pouring some Coca Cola into a plastic cup and soaking the parts in that for a while. It's amazing how well that will clean corroded cables. Hope this helps. Good Luck and God Bless, Tommy

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rhouston

06-16-2003 05:51:46

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Re: Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to revredneck, 06-16-2003 05:42:57

I like the coke idea never tried that one. I have used ketchup that seems to work well on the small stuff. Radio Shack may have something that is spray on.

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George

06-15-2003 23:35:58

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

To protect a cleaned connection, I found some stuff at the hardware store (Ace) you brush on. Sorta reminds me of some sort of vinyl paint. Comes in red and black. Also remember brushing on rubber cement many years ago to do the same thing.

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Alton

06-18-2003 15:01:25

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Re: Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to George, 06-15-2003 23:35:58

We use something like this at work and it is called liquid tape.

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Rod (NH)

06-15-2003 20:59:36

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

Hi Pete,

CRC makes a spray electrical contact cleaner that does a good job of cleaning corrosion products from contacts such as the blades in wiring connectors. I don't have the exact name handy but you can check it out at your local NAPA.

Rod

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Jeff

06-15-2003 20:17:50

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Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Catskill Pete, 06-15-2003 19:40:46

Actually, an eraser works quite well.

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Catskill Pete

06-18-2003 06:54:07

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Re: Re: Cleaning electric connectors in reply to Jeff, 06-15-2003 20:17:50

Thanks for the help. Whole lot of good ideas, guess I'll have to experiment with a few and see what happens.

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