http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Cleaning electrical contacts? en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:38:37 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2056#post-21721 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:08:55 +0000 Dave 21721@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well, it's a bit late not to use sandpaper - but from the behaviour described I suspect this is the deal (cheap plated contacts). Unfortunately the suspect one is the female which is an integral part of the light - way beyond my ability to replace.</p> <p>I'll try some contact cleaner and if that doesn't work, apparently you can get carbon conductive grease for sliding contacts. Mine don't slide in use, but...</p> <p>I'm fairly happy with the battery because we have three identical light heads, and it's only on my daily-use light that I have the particular problem, BTW. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2056#post-21720 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:48:10 +0000 alibali 21720@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Best avoid sand paper, as Dave says, it'll take the plating off. Bare metal underneath will initially then fail in a day or so as it corrodes.</p> <p>Best answer is a contact cleaner/lubricant such as Electrolube EML200F (rswww.com 101-4937) or whatever equivalent they stock at Maplin or Omni Electronics (South Side). Lube element helps keep the contact from corroding or fritting with movement. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2056#post-21692 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:28:31 +0000 DaveC 21692@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I would not advice using sand paper unless you know for sure the contacts are solit copper. Most cheepert contacts are plated tin or copper over a cheeper substate. The only way to know for sure that the cable isn't broken part way through is to replace the hole cable. Maplins in Haymarket/Dalry can sell any cable you want and if you take the old one in then theyll most likely be able to find a near exact fit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2056#post-21689 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:06:21 +0000 steveo 21689@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If its dirt then methylated spirit will lift the dirt then evaporate. If the connector is badly corroded the meths may lift that also but i've never found sand paper that bad, failing that if its the wire end you could replace the male connector. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2056#post-21687 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:46:52 +0000 Dave 21687@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>OK, next random technical question... </p> <p>My bike light uses a standard DC plug fitting - male on the battery, female on the light.</p> <p>In some orientations the light gets flickery or even dies altogether, but I now know for sure it's not the cable fraying internally because I rewired it last night!</p> <p>What's the best way of cleaning out the connectors and getting a solid connection? I've previously shifted corrosion with a light sandpaper, but suspect it just corrodes up again pronto. Is there some sort of conductive grease that might work, or is that a bad idea? </p>