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Cleaning electrical contacts

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  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Saturday, October 22, 2022 8:25 AM

I would not spray anything on my locos. What type of loco are we dealing with?

Simon

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • 1,057 posts
Posted by wrench567 on Friday, October 21, 2022 9:38 PM

 . I'm picturing in my head an old Bachman split frame diesel with the bronze contact bars under the frame or an Athearn with the shiny metal strips. A pencil or better yet pen eraser would be my first choice.

    Pete.

  • Member since
    November 2020
  • 71 posts
Posted by CGW103 on Friday, October 21, 2022 2:40 PM

I have never tried it on model trains but that was one of the uses of WD40. I have used it on Ford trucks when the distributrer got wet. Try it at your own risk.

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    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Friday, October 21, 2022 1:58 PM

fisker4jc
I've isolated the problem down to where to electrical contacts are suppose to touch.  One part looks oxidized (copper i think).  What can I use to clean it?

 

I've had good luck with this.  It will not damage electronic circuits or boards, and it will clean electrical contacts almost instantly without effort.  I got this in Walmart auto section:

 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, October 21, 2022 1:49 PM

An ordinary pencil eraser can get a lot of crud off things like battery contacts.  That's a good first stopgap attempt.

Radio $hack used to sell spray contact cleaner.  I don't know if they still do.  There are still a few of them scattered around the country.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by jjdamnit on Friday, October 21, 2022 1:03 PM

Hello All,

There are many electrical contacts on an engine depending on it's type and manufacturer.

Which specific contacts are you referring to?

Are you dealing with a steam or diesel engine?

If you can narrow down your inquiry it would help.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 93 posts
Cleaning electrical contacts
Posted by fisker4jc on Friday, October 21, 2022 12:44 PM

I have an HO diesel engine that I'm trying to get running again.  I've isolated the problem down to where to electrical contacts are suppose to touch.  One part looks oxidized (copper i think).  What can I use to clean it?

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