Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> Left alone, the base metal will rust
> or corrode. I smear on some grease to slow down the corrosion, but
> find that it's not really adequate. I wouldn't mind painting the
> contacts with clear acrylic after masking the contact area, but that's
> often difficult or awkward to accomplish.
Here in Israel amomonia based window cleaners were replaced years ago with
vinegar ones. They do a great job of removing the crud left by a battery.
I usually put it on the tip of a cotton swab, and apply carefully. Battery
door covers that are removable and loaded with it get removed and sprayed
directly.
After they are clean, I dry them thoroughly. The part that actually makes
contact, I do a final cleaning with DeOxit (the red liquid on a cotton swab),
and remove any residual deoxit with a clean swab.
As part of a kit, I got DeOxit brand contact enhancers, and occasionally I
use them after the contacts have been cleaned and the device tested.
If you are in the EU, you can buy a better cleaner called Cramolin, which
used to be sold by the people who sell DeOxit. Post 9/11 the Cramolin
products can not be shipped by air in the US, so DeOxit was created by
their US distributor to fill the gap.
There is a competing product called Stabilant-22 made in Canada. I have
not used it becuase it is very expensive. You buy a small bottle and dilute
it with alcohol, so the per use price is low. Motorola sells it for
repairing LMR radios.
The price to me would be over $100 for the smallest bottle and shipping,
so I stick with the $5 tubes of DeOxit, which can be sent in a regular
envelope airmail.
Geoff.
--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, N3OWJ/4X1GM/KBUH7245/KBUW5379