Cleaning contacts

[kb0rrg]

What techniques or products have you used to clean batteries and light contacts to remove oxidization to improve performance and reduce flickering in your lights. I have heard of people using WD-40 and Contact cleaner. I have not tried WD-40. I tried radio shack contact cleaner, but I thought it was kinda weak. If I can get the terminals, I use a fine steel wool, but that does not prevent future oxidization. If you are using a specific product, say where you got it.

 

[vcal]

Did you know that even though
WD-40 is very good lubricant,
it is NOT a very good conductor?
(a good friend friend of mine
had his entire a/v system SHUT DOWN after a well intentioned cleaning of all the connectors
after using it

-I had to go over 2 his place and completely
re-clean/lube the connectors just to get his system going again.
Good Products (for great conductivity-and lube) would be:
Caig DeoxIT-5 from www.mcm.electronics.com or Techspray Rid-ox from same co.
-actually ANY good TV/radio contact cleaner/lube works o.k.

Don't get me wrong, I still use
WD-40 for other things, but folks, I ain't ever gonna use it
for electrical/electronics applications.....

 

[Badbeams3]

Well, I would never try using WD-40 for electronic components but to clean flashlight switches and battery contacts it has worked very well for me in the past 30 years. But I would try some of the ones Doug has mentioned as WD-40 only last a couple months before you must redo.

 

[Badbeams3]

Gold plating is the best way, although it is not always practical

 

[vcal]

Ken,
While th WD-40 isn't entirely
Non-conductive, (it allows flow
in higher draws-like flashlites
-many milliamps), I was very
surprised when I tested the difference about 20 years ago with a multimeter.

 

[Badbeams3]

I`m not sure I understand Doug. I thought all the WD-40 was doing was removing the oxidation and allowing better metal to metal contact (and maybe slowing down the rate of new oxidation). Is it important for it to be a conductor too?

 

[vcal]

Ken,
The reason the WD-40 can be problematic is that it leaves a
thin FILM/residue that not too
desirable for this particular
purpose.-that petrol film is not
something I want (except for
preventing GROSS rust formation.
Not to be-labor the point, but
the contact enhancers already do
that,without the undesirable oil
film (which is not the world's
greatest conductor).

 

[Badbeams3]

Ok, thanks Doug.

 

[Brock]

I use "Electrowash" It comes in a spray can and is great on electronics.

Brock

 

[kb0rrg]

where can I get some?

 

[Brock]

I get ours at Popkeys, an electronics dealer. I would imagine GreyBar might have it?

Brock