Contact cleaners

BlueFox

BlueFox

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Next Tuesday, 4/30/19, is my last day to work. Finally. LOL

Anyway, once I retire I want to spend the time and really tweak my stereo. One of those tweaks is cleaning all the cable connections.

What is the best contact cleaner for the stereo, and the circuits at the breaker?
 
I use CAIG Deoxit D5 for everything except Gold contacts, where I use Deoxit Gold.
They make a kit that has a bunch of their products in spray, wipe, and gel forms.
I’ve never used it on breakers, but I do have a torque wrench I use to tighten all my ac connections once a year.
 
W9TR said:
I use CAIG Deoxit D5 for everything except Gold contacts, where I use Deoxit Gold.
They make a kit that has a bunch of their products in spray, wipe, and gel forms.
I’ve never used it on breakers, but I do have a torque wrench I use to tighten all my ac connections once a year.
Click to expand...

Yes, Deoxit.
 
Deox helps keep dissimilar metals from reacting against each other and oxidizing. It does work well as a contact enhancement. If you are truly looking to clean the connections then you might want to look at some Jewelers Rouge. I myself was wondering how I could burnish or polish the inside pins on a 12ax7 socket. Never quite got to trying anyting in there.

Whatever you do, if you do use deox be very sure to wipe all of it away on tube pins. What I mean by that is leave no buildup on your pins. All that should be left is the thinnest of film. Any buildup will melt from heat and puddle into your socket potentially causing a short circuit. It will also gunk up over time and actually decrease the contact between two points. I like to shove the pins through a piece of paper then deox. I am trying my best to keep any of the deox from making contact with the glass on top of the tube. You would be amazed how little getting on there will cause electrical arcing between the pins.

It can be more liberally applied under compression points such as clamps on receptacles or ring type terminals.
 
Kingrex said:
Deox helps keep dissimilar metals from reacting against each other and oxidizing. It does work well as a contact enhancement. If you are truly looking to clean the connections then you might want to look at some Jewelers Rouge. I myself was wondering how I could burnish or polish the inside pins on a 12ax7 socket. Never quite got to trying anyting in there.

Whatever you do, if you do use deox be very sure to wipe all of it away on tube pins. What I mean by that is leave no buildup on your pins. All that should be left is the thinnest of film. Any buildup will melt from heat and puddle into your socket potentially causing a short circuit. It will also gunk up over time and actually decrease the contact between two points. I like to shove the pins through a piece of paper then deox. I am trying my best to keep any of the deox from making contact with the glass on top of the tube. You would be amazed how little getting on there will cause electrical arcing between the pins.

It can be more liberally applied under compression points such as clamps on receptacles or ring type terminals.
Click to expand...

ARC uses Deoxit on tube pins because it doesn't do what you are describing.......
 
Sure go ahead. goop it on. It's specifically formulated to enhance electrical continuity. I want to hear how your amp fairs when 600v to 900v has a nice median to travel from pin to pin on. Don't forget, that won't be warranty damage that you'll be fixing.
 
Kingrex said:
Deox helps keep dissimilar metals from reacting against each other and oxidizing. It does work well as a contact enhancement. If you are truly looking to clean the connections then you might want to look at some Jewelers Rouge. I myself was wondering how I could burnish or polish the inside pins on a 12ax7 socket. Never quite got to trying anyting in there.

Whatever you do, if you do use deox be very sure to wipe all of it away on tube pins. What I mean by that is leave no buildup on your pins. All that should be left is the thinnest of film. Any buildup will melt from heat and puddle into your socket potentially causing a short circuit. It will also gunk up over time and actually decrease the contact between two points. I like to shove the pins through a piece of paper then deox. I am trying my best to keep any of the deox from making contact with the glass on top of the tube. You would be amazed how little getting on there will cause electrical arcing between the pins.

It can be more liberally applied under compression points such as clamps on receptacles or ring type terminals.
Click to expand...
For your stereo, DeoxIT D5 is highly recommended. It’s excellent for cleaning and restoring electrical connections without damaging sensitive components. For circuits at the breaker, use a contact cleaner rated for high-voltage applications, like CRC QD Contact Cleaner. Always power down your equipment before cleaning and allow the cleaner to dry completely before turning it back on.
 
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