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Cleaning electrical contacts?

(5 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by Dave
  • Latest reply from Dave
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. Dave
    Member

    OK, next random technical question...

    My bike light uses a standard DC plug fitting - male on the battery, female on the light.

    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!

    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?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. steveo
    Member

    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.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. DaveC
    Member

    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.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. alibali
    Member

    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.

    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.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. Dave
    Member

    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.

    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...

    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.

    Posted 13 years ago #

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