Contact cleaner of choice

[Jheard89]

So the most popular contact cleaner I've seen seems to be DeoxIT Gold GN5, with a number of online dive shops selling it themselves.

Problem is, I'm unable to find it in Taiwan where I'm currently working.

Could anyone please recommend some alternatives? The specialist WD40 electrical contact cleaner is sold pretty much everywhere here, but I'm hesitant to use a product I'm not familiar with on a very expensive piece of kit. Part of me thinks that DeoxIT must be doing something special, that other contact cleaners aren't, in order to justify the high price?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mike Walker]

They have two distributors in Taiwan - try calling them.

(Ignore the forum converting of what I pasted - the links do work)
This item is no longer available.
This item is no longer available.

Given the amount of electronics produced in Taiwan I'd imagine it's very easy to buy by the truck load - but I'm sure you can find a retailer as well.
CAIG products are very popular in the live entertainment business (particularly with audio companies) so you might look in that direction as well.

It is worth noting that there are several versions of Deoxit for different purposes. If you want to waste a couple hours read through their site....

 

[davehicks]

Just get a toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol. Bush the contacts clean.

 

[tbone1004]

@Jheard89 they're gold plated contacts, nothing special about them. Stock standard parts from industry. Just use whatever electrical contact cleaner you have around, just make sure it's good stuff

 

[Jheard89]

They have two distributors in Taiwan - try calling them.

(Ignore the forum converting of what I pasted - the links do work)
This item is no longer available.
This item is no longer available.

It is worth noting that there are several versions of Deoxit for different purposes. If you want to waste a couple hours read through their site....

Ah great, hadn't realise. Thank you.

Yea the variety of versions was giving be a bit of a headache so I've always just opted for the gold gn5 that I've seen a number of online shops selling in Europe and the US.

 

[Jheard89]

@Jheard89 they're gold plated contacts, nothing special about them. Stock standard parts from industry. Just use whatever electrical contact cleaner you have around, just make sure it's good stuff

That's what's confusing me though. What differentiates 'good stuff' from not so good stuff?

I tried asking a local rebreather instructor what he thought, but he reckoned the specialist wd40 contact cleaner could damage the o-rings in my battery and e-module. His English wasn't great though, so maybe he misunderstood and thought I was talking about regular wd40.

 

[njdiverjoe]

That's what's confusing me though. What differentiates 'good stuff' from not so good stuff?

I tried asking a local rebreather instructor what he thought, but he reckoned the specialist wd40 contact cleaner could damage the o-rings in my battery and e-module. His English wasn't great though, so maybe he misunderstood and thought I was talking about regular wd40.

On the info page for wd40 cantact cleaner it says safe for rubber. What I'd probably do is squirt some into a small cup and then use a qtip or some other small implement to clean only the contacts.

 

[tbone1004]

That's what's confusing me though. What differentiates 'good stuff' from not so good stuff?

I tried asking a local rebreather instructor what he thought, but he reckoned the specialist wd40 contact cleaner could damage the o-rings in my battery and e-module. His English wasn't great though, so maybe he misunderstood and thought I was talking about regular wd40.

the "good stuff" will be specific for gold plated contacts and will usually come from name brands, etc. You'll usually find it in the high end computing and audio world which shouldn't be an issue in Taiwan since you make a lot of it.
The two main brands are Deoxit and Progold for reference.

As far as damaging rubber, you shouldn't be spraying the whole thing, just wipe on with q-tips, but it shouldn't degrade rubber.

 

[dcvf2]

@ Jheard89

Power contact (1) or electronic contact (2) need specific liquid cleaner.
(1) High voltage ( 230 V and more) and strong current ( > 1 A)
(2) mV and A ( e.g. data logger) Rinse product needed to neutralize the corrosive effect of the cleaner

The cleaner for general electric use are to aggressive for certain micro-electronic circuit.

Ok with davehicks
‘toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol’

But a "soft toothbrush" and do not brush the thin LCD connector 'engraved’ into the glass.

I had a very bad experience with "display" of my heart rate monitor 'POLAR' ... very small cuts (3) caused by the toothbrush ... with too hard bristles.
(3) only visible with a magnifying glass x10

 

[davehicks]

@ Jheard89

Power contact (1) or electronic contact (2) need specific liquid cleaner.
(1) High voltage ( 230 V and more) and strong current ( > 1 A)
(2) mV and A ( e.g. data logger) Rinse product needed to neutralize the corrosive effect of the cleaner

The cleaner for general electric use are to aggressive for certain micro-electronic circuit.

Ok with davehicks
‘toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol’

But a "soft toothbrush" and do not brush the thin LCD connector 'engraved’ into the glass.

I had a very bad experience with "display" of my heart rate monitor 'POLAR' ... very small cuts (3) caused by the toothbrush ... with too hard bristles.
(3) only visible with a magnifying glass x10

My assumption is that the OP is looking to clean and maintain the electrical interfaces on their rebreather. Cell connectors, computer handset & cable, etc. If you are cracking open the electronics of a heart rate monitor (?!) or whatever then please feel free to ignore.