Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

[drewmitch44]

Im having a problem with a 10 pin plug on my yamaha. I have to move it around and get the correct angle for everything to work(tilt trim buttons, tach, ignition, charging,) The female plug that comes from the controlls looks like it needs cleaned up where it meets the male pins. I was just wondering if there was some kind of spray that i could use to clean them up before i go jaming a nail or something in there to try to clean them up. If not what is the best thing to do in this case? I dont want to mess anything up so im trying to be careful. I am pretty sure that its not loose wires inside the plug itsels because as i move it around different things work/stop working as i believe the pins are making better contact. Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

Fast drying contact cleaner, make sure to clean the pin side too! as if the pins are corroded they could cause some of the same issues.

There are tons and tons of them, just make sure it says it's fast drying electrical contact cleaner.

I wouldn't recommend using a nail because if you stick something too large inside them you may end up making the holes too large for your pins to make proper connection. A real small file or a torch tip cleaner would work better and not damage the socket.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

Just spray both ends with WD-40.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

WD-40 despite its 300 some odd uses is NOT a contact cleaner, you need a solvent something that will break up any built up corrosion not a lubricant. WD-40 does have anti corrosive properties but you should get rid of the corrosion before you prevent more

 

[burroak]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

What ever you do to clean up the dirt and corrosion, apply dielectric grease to prevent air(oxygen) and moisture from migrating into the connectors. This will inhibit corrosion greatly.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

Although your picture is somewhat out of focus, it appears as though the socket pins in your connector are slotted cylinders and that some of the slots are a little wider than others. If this is so, after cleaning (Radio Shack contact cleaner will be fine), take a small pair of needle nose pliers and gently squeeze the cylinders to close up those wider slots. You will get tighter, better contact with the mating pins. A big YES on the dielectric grease after cleaning. WD40 will work in a pinch, but its moisture proofing properties will go away much sooner.

Good Luck!

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

It's hard to tell from the pic but it doesn't appear to be that dirty. Needle nose pliers method works great, just be careful not to crush them. Chances are the female side has loosened up. As far as those kinds of plugs go, you want the female tight. Not so tight that you can get it in there, but tight enough that you get some resistance. You can tell by feel. If it's tight, you can use some lube, like dielectric grease(better) or WD (OK), and it should slide right in.

 

[burroak]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

It's hard to tell from the pic but it doesn't appear to be that dirty. Needle nose pliers method works great, just be careful not to crush them. Chances are the female side has loosened up. As far as those kinds of plugs go, you want the female tight. Not so tight that you can get it in there, but tight enough that you get some resistance. You can tell by feel. If it's tight, you can use some lube, like dielectric grease(better) or WD (OK), and it should slide right in.

Just what are we talking about here?

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

Just what are we talking about here?

Okay, once I stopped rolling on the floor laughing I realized that i didn't see this at all the FIRST time I read BJ's response.

Thanks for the 'heads' up, burroak.

 

[gstanton]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

Once you get the connection made, using one of the "scrapers" mentioned above, try using Liquid Wrench spray to keep the contacts clean. I've been using it for years with success. It seems to coat the metal enough to prevent corrosion.

 

[jim_arndt]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

Do this:

1) Get all the grease off the connector, simple green or any degreaser. Let dry.

2) Get a can of "DeoxIt", there is NOTHING better for cleaning electrical connections. Yes, it's expensive, but it works so well you will find you will start cleaning every electrical connection you have (RCA stereo wires, scratchy volume control, potentiometers, everything comes out good as new.)

3) Once cleaned, protect it with dielectric grease as mentioned above.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

DeOxit.. it's all coming back now. GREAT stuff. I was throwing 50 or so sonobouys into the water off Kauaii a few years ago, and then recovering them a few days later. Did this over and over for months. Used DeOxit to clean all the contacts that weren't properly protected by the supposed 'water proof' cover. It was the only thing I found that would return the contacts to useable condition. Then filled the whole thing with dielectric grease, no more problems.

 

[byacey]

Re: Spray for cleaning electrical plugs???

DeOxit is made by Caig Laboratories for anyone trying to track it down; a fine product.