Cleaning electrical contacts...

**Barnacle Bill** · 10-06-2009, 08:38 PM

The old cross bar telephone switches had many, many, many relays in it. They were a constant fight to keep clean and we found that using a new dollar or 100 dollar bill worked just great as they do not leave any lint. I cleaned many of them that way. It was either that or replace them and some of them had up to 24 connections and everyone wire wrapped.

**jaxsprat** · 10-06-2009, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Yodibuzz

thanks cane pole

one question, where can i find silicone dielectric grease?
thanks for all these little tips you pass on to us.

Any auto parts or hardware will carry PERMATEX Brand dielectric grease, usually comes in a small 2 1/2 to 3 inch tube, like toothpaste tube. Been using it for years on car bulbs, outdoor flood lites, & all boat wiring-anything electrical, wire connection or bulb socket that will be near water. Just a little dab on a outdoor lite bulb thread & bulb will not corrode in socket & be as easy to unscrew as day it was installed.

**Cane Pole** · 10-06-2009, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by jaxsprat

Any auto parts or hardware will carry PERMATEX Brand dielectric grease, usually comes in a small 2 1/2 to 3 inch tube, like toothpaste tube. Been using it for years on car bulbs, outdoor flood lites, & all boat wiring-anything electrical, wire connection or bulb socket that will be near water. Just a little dab on a outdoor lite bulb thread & bulb will not corrode in socket & be as easy to unscrew as day it was installed.

Permatex. That is the name I couldn't remember.:o:o

**ifish** · 10-09-2009, 10:23 PM

Can you use dielectric grease on fuse holders? Mine are breaking contact and the fuses on the old Bass Tracker are a bugger to get to.

**Cane Pole** · 10-10-2009, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by ifish

Can you use dielectric grease on fuse holders? Mine are breaking contact and the fuses on the old Bass Tracker are a bugger to get to.

Yes. Remember corrosion is also an insulator. You pick the less of the two evils. Thin coat is best after cleaning the contacts. I don't care what the pros say (it's an insulator grease). I have used it for years with great results. Bell South also uses it in their phone jacks that are exposed to the elements.

**Cane Pole** · 10-14-2009, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by IBNFSHN

The old cross bar telephone switches had many, many, many relays in it. They were a constant fight to keep clean and we found that using a new dollar or 100 dollar bill worked just great as they do not leave any lint. I cleaned many of them that way. It was either that or replace them and some of them had up to 24 connections and everyone wire wrapped.

I like to watch them crossbars work. Amazing. Can't clean with the dollar bill anymore. I heard it shrunk to nuthin.

**Hanr3** · 10-14-2009, 11:25 PM

Good post CP.

I use a pencil eraser to clean my contacts. Habit from my AFX race track days.

From my electrician days I used dielectric grease for all my auto/boat contacts, including light bulbs. The grease prevents the sockets from corroding and prevent dim bulbs, plus they keep teh water and other elements out. You can pick it up at auto parts or your local electrical supply store. I have been using a fairly large tube for the past 20 plus years.

I also use it on my boat trailer, and I never unplug my trailer lights. Second season on this set of bulbs. So far, so good.

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