Electronic Pin & Cable Socket Cleaning

[navigator97]

Hi Group, Can anyone give me some guidance on a proper cleaner and cleaning process to cleam Radar Display pins and cable sockets to ensure good contact on all pins. Once cleaned I was planning on applying Dielectric Grease to the pins and sockets to try to prevent any future environmentel reaction with sockets during the time that the radar display is not mounted and connected. I only connect it when we are using the boat and then not every day. Would appreciate any inputs. Thanks

Dick
S/V Puffin
H-33.5

 

[Maine Sail]

Hi Group, Can anyone give me some guidance on a proper cleaner and cleaning process to cleam Radar Display pins and cable sockets to ensure good contact on all pins. Once cleaned I was planning on applying Dielectric Grease to the pins and sockets to try to prevent any future environmentel reaction with sockets during the time that the radar display is not mounted and connected. I only connect it when we are using the boat and then not every day. Would appreciate any inputs. Thanks

Dick
S/V Puffin
H-33.5

The product you want to use is called DeoxIT by Caig Labs and comes in small spray cans.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Once cleaned you should consider using Boeshield T9 rather than dialectric grease.

 

[navigator97]

Thanks Maine & Stu,

I'll look for deoxIT to clean and I actually have some Boeshield T9 on board - I'll use that. I appreciate the input . Maine, do you know where I can get deoxIT?

 

[Bob Poff]

Radio Shack carries DeOxit in a bottle. At least it still shows on the web site.

When you apply it, don't dump a great quantity on. Also do as they recomend and wipe off the excess. If you leave a thick coating it tends to collect dirt.

I've used it for the last thirty years. Great stuff.
Really good to clean and protect oxidized connectors.

 

[kenn]

Hi Dick,

For contact treatment, I still have some Stabilant 22 from my pro audio days - it's crazy expensive, but if you use it properly, $50 worth will last a lifetime (unless you own a 120-input mix console). The other suggestions are also good choices.

I only connect it when we are using the boat and then not every day.

The enemies of contact surfaces are dirt, environmental exposure... and wear. Is it absolutely necessary to connect/disconnect the unit so frequently? Use of one of the recommended contact enhancers will reduce contact wear, since they are lubricants. Disconnected connectors should have covers to protect the contacts from damage and dirt.

 

[navigator97]

Thanks for all of your collective inputs. I will follow most all of them. I really appreciate it. I was thinking of using a vinyl "cap" to put over the connector. The reason for all of the disconnect is that the radar display is mounted in the cockpit under the dodger. When not in use I remove it and put it in the cabin in a cubby behind the settee to be out of the weather for prolonged times. But then again, that leaves the connector end exposed in the cockpit. Thanks again guys.