what do you use to clean edge connectors? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: fabiodl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 11:33:39 am
content: What do you use to clean edge connectors and other places where q-tips do not fit?

author: tkamiya
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 03:43:20 pm
content: It really depends on exact configuration but I tend to use toothpick or wooden stick (used in ice cream making) wrapped with small amount of paper towel. That with high grade isopropyl alcohol. Uncoated business card material works well also.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 11:14:12 pm
content: For switch contacts, paper which does not contain clay which is abrasive so like vellum or some card stock. Alcohol is typically the solvent of choice but sometimes acetone is called for.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 11:29:21 pm
content: Quote from: fabiodl on October 26, 2020, 11:33:39 amQuote from: David Hess on October 26, 2020, 11:14:12 pmFour sentences, that's all it took. And I wonder why threads wander off track so often around here?For me: Generally, neat isopropanol wiped off with lint-free tissues (if I have them handy, kitchen roll otherwise). If that doesn't do the job, the reason is usually contamination that is water soluble but not soluble in non-polar solvents - in those cases I use a mixture of isopropanol and distilled/deionised water, wipe off, repeat if necessary, and finish up with neat isopropanol.Extreme cases may call for use of abrasives and then cleaning as above. In that case the abrasive of choice for me is either a fibreglass pencil or one of the very finest grades of Scotch-Brite.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 12:09:50 am
content: I think a careful reading of the OP makes it quite clear he isn't talking about gold fingers, but the sockets that receive them. Those enclosed spring contacts are indeed similar to knife switches and other types of switches.I usually use these:https://www.mgchemicals.com/products/electronic-cleaning-products/cleaning-swabs/single-head-chamois-swabs/if the gap is wide enough. They are about 1.5mm thick.Edit: There's also a similar swab from Electrolube if that is easier to get.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 12:27:15 am
content: Ah, OK. The word "sockets" wouldn't have gone amiss then.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 12:30:31 am
content: Clean like get a bunch of gunk out of them, or just brighten them up to fix an intermittent (perhaps dusty or corroded) contact? Contact cleaner works wonders, in any case. Whichever brand name will do, I think; Deoxit is the famous one, but I have a can of MG Super Contact Cleaner which does a fine job as well.Right, mechanical contacts are mechanical contacts, it doesn't much matter what they're there for. A connector is a kind of long-range switch, you might say.Tim

author: fabiodl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 12:36:15 am
content: Thank you all. I use kimwipes wet by 95% IPA placed on a card, and slide it in/out several times.I am interested in cleaning both the contacts and the slot itself. I was looking for something exactly like the product mentioned by helius, thank you!Quote from: helius on October 27, 2020, 12:09:50 am

author: fabiodl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2020, 10:37:12 am
content: I got them, they are thicker than I thought, about 2.2mmThey are relatively soft, and can be forced down the connectors, but not slided.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2020, 10:59:32 am
content: These or a variant of and a solvent/contact cleaner.They're a plastic card (obviously credit card sized) covered with a lint free cleaning wipe surface, cut them down to suit the connector and ignore the price there, you can find them far cheaperhttps://webstore.scott-law.co.uk/af-cardclene-atm-pos-magnetic-head-cleaning-cards-pack-of-20-ccp020

author: fabiodl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2020, 11:41:03 pm
content: Thank you for the suggestion! I found them on aliexpress

author: opabob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2020, 10:27:46 pm
content: I use to use chamois tipped swabs for cleaning VCR's. (Notice the name of these.) I may still have some around..