Optimate problem

RAINMAKER · Post by **RAINMAKER** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:37 pm

I have an Optimate which is great for keeping the battery topped up and it really does stop the alarm from running the battery flat.
I have it permanantly connected with the male/female connectors which just plug together and off you go.
the problem is corrosion inside the connector which i just cant get into,

the hole is too small, any ideas how to remove the greenish corrosion and to improve the contact ?

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:33 am

FB
It is possible, with a watchmakers screwdriver to unclip the metal from the plastic plug but it's a fiddly little job.
If the corrosion is not too bad why don't you try giving it a good squirt with WD40 and then packing some grese into it. Shove the plug and socket together about fifty times, flush the mess out with some more WD40 and then pack it with some fresh grease.

Pete.l
P.S
If it's really bad and the lead needs replacing you can buy them.

Post by **sirch345** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:56 am

I hope you don't mind me saying Pete, but you should really use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and not grease!
You can use hot water to remove the corrosion I think, I know it works on a car battery terminals, obviously disconnect the lead from the battery first, as water is a conductor as you probably know

so you don't short your battery out, and make sure its fully dried out before re-fitting it. Depending on what material the corroded connector is made off, I would think (once disconnected) you could immerse it into very hot water using an old bake bean tin or simular,

Chris.

PS (My brain has just kicked in) If your connector lead has an in-line fuse you could just remove that to try out what I suggested first!

cupasoop · Post by **cupasoop** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:05 am

sirch345 wrote:I hope you don't mind me saying Pete, but you should really use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and not grease!

Your just asking for trouble making statements like that

Post by **sirch345** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:22 am

cupasoop wrote:
sirch345 wrote:I hope you don't mind me saying Pete, but you should really use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and not grease!
Your just asking for trouble making statements like that

LOL. I was waiting for something like that

So it was a good job I did my research first eh Cuppa

http://www.vjmw.org/workshop/elec.htm

Post by **sirch345** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:29 am

I don't know how I do it for the money

How about this for an alternative

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/house/house26.html

Chris.

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:23 pm

Petroleum Jelly... Wheel bearing Grease.... it all works.

But your right, Vaseline is better......It's much kinder on your skin

RAINMAKER · Post by **RAINMAKER** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:50 pm

never belive it but the corrosion came off with 'brown sauce' wife remembered using it as a child to shine pennies.#
worked a treat, washed off with WD perfecet connection now.
thanks to all.

essexbloke · Post by **essexbloke** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:57 pm

A bit like bolting the gate after the horse has gone, but new connectors are only about Â£6.00 !!!!

(i recently bought a new set)

RAINMAKER · Post by **RAINMAKER** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:00 pm

Dumb or what.............never thought of that

plivesey · Post by **plivesey** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 5:26 pm

I had the same problem but one squirt of Halford's electrical contact cleaner sorted out the problem. Invaluable stuff.

RAINMAKER · Post by **RAINMAKER** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 7:00 pm

had yours gone green and manky too ?

plivesey · Post by **plivesey** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 7:14 pm

RAINMAKER wrote:had yours gone green and manky too ?

Yep and so had the connector on my Optimate.