Contact Cleaner

Link

Above is what Radio shack sells. The stuff is getting expensive because of the EPA. Dont use anything flammable.  What you used should not have hurt anything though. A drop of Bachmann conductive oil or silver grease may be in order. Make sure the outer wheels are clean also.

Dale H

I would use the CRC electro cleaner on a Q tip BUT and a BIG BUT the solvent will attack the plastic in your trolley if it is the #60.  How do I know ??  Guess-it was an accident and not a lot but it does work.

There is a CRC cleaner that CRC says is safe for plastic.  "QD Electronic Cleaner."

I generally use pure mineral spirits.

Another good product is Caig Labs Deoxit.

Caig makes a number of products that I keep on hand and use.

Keep alcohol away from trains.

I bought a can of the QD cleaner but they tell you several times that it is EXTREMELY flammable so I haven't used it.

Whatever you use, always follow up by using a dry, clean applicator.  Q-Tips leave fuzz behind, most electronic stores (and in the beauty aids dept stores) carry sponge-tipped applicators.

Thanks a bunch for the info!

I have never cleaned the wheels so I think I will start there.

Might go to the hardware store and take a look at pure mineral spirits.

Radio Shack is also near by.

RickM46

Some mineral spirits are diluted with water. I think the stuff sold at Lowes is diluted. I've been purchasing my mineral spirits at my local Ace and True Value hardware stores.

I've had good luck using radio shack TV tuner spray. It's the only thing I've ever seen that will clean and fix a sticky e unit on a Marx loco to shift like new. If it can do that then I trust it on anything electrical on my trains. The only con is it should be sprayed in a very well ventilated area with good air flow. Don't ask me how I know this

I have been using Radio Shack tuner cleaner for electrical contacts for many many years.

i swear by it. When the shack went bankrupt I tried many other products. Nothing works as well. As luck would have it I came across a Radio Shack still in buisness and low and behold the still sell the cleane. I recommend this product highly. By the way, it  also works great on tuners.

Nate, is there any risk of it harming plastic??

I really like CRCs cleaner, has solved many problems for me. Not sure if we have any RadioShacks around here but will look. Having sold to that industr for awhile, there is a good chance both cans come off the same filling line. Amazing how basic some of those products are. One corp. was selling a "defoamer" and a good price and all it was- deodorized kerosene at a much higher price.  I just watch the plastic when I use it.

RichM46,

   Use the correct CRC cleaner and it works perfectly.

PCRR/Dave

Most electronics stores will have these. This ad from Fry's, for example (they carry a number of contact cleaners); $6.99 and safe for plastics, can order on line:

 

• Frys.com #3222211
• Manufacturer: T.A.
• UPC #649104036005
• Model #3600

Detailed Description  |  Warranty Info

Extra-Strength (ES) Contact Cleaner is specifically formulated to provide the extra cleaning power desired to remove most types of heavier contaminants found in electronic applications. Quick penetrating, low surface tension action removes oils, greases, grime, dirt, silicones, fluxes and other heavier contaminants in helping to achieve the optimum level of surface cleanliness. Moreover, ES Contact Cleaner evaporates quickly, leaves zero residue and is safe on most plastics and metal materials.

Applications: contacts, controls,switches, relays, connectors, sockets, circuit breakers, solenoids, potentiometers, rheostats, integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, microprocessors, terminals, tuners, timers, motors, generators, wire harnesses, industrial machinery, telecommunication equipment, electromechanical devices, electronic components, electrical equipment, avionics and aerospace electronics.

Note: While safe on most plastics, precaution should be taken on certain soft plastics.

Yep, got a can of it now.  Really like the CRC line.

Wow!

You have just got to love this forum!

When one of us has a Homer Simpson 'DOH' moment, there is no end to the helpful advice available.

I think I will head over to ACE hardware and see if they have any CRC QD; hopefully, it will not dissolve plastic.

RickM46

Also, another note on the Trolley.

The center rollers and the copper strips on the axles are delicate.

Anytime I attempt to clean them with alcohol, behavior of the trolley goes erratic a tad for a number of runs around the layout (it stops and lights go out).  Cleaned the wheels and track which were incredibly dirty; still, erratic for a bit.

After about 20-30 runs around the 6 foot layout, it smooths out and runs great.

Go figure.

RickM46

I have several different aerosol spray contact cleaners on hand, and do use them occasionally.
One reason I like mineral spirits is that it is less volatile than spray cleaners. I don't like breathing chemicals. If one doesn't work on trains very often, I guess this is a non-issue.

I doubt if your problem is caused by the isopropyl alcohol.  I suspect the contacts were contaminated either by some fibers that came off your pipe cleaners or some other foreign matter.

Earl

Thanks Earl,

What material do you use when cleaning contacts??

RickM46

I use Deoxit D5, it works great to improve conductivity.  I have to agree with Earl, I seriously doubt that the alcohol was the issue, I use that for a lot of board cleaning, it's never affected conductivity.

I use 91% alcohol for certain things. Cuts grease great-clean my stove with it. Put some in a Lionel 2065 that wasn't smoking very well today, ran it for about 30 mins, cleaned it out, got it smoking good. No flames either. Have to be careful with the flammable stuff, though plus ventilation. I agree with Gunner on breathing the stuff in.

91% alcohol???????

I was using 70% iso-propyl; maybe that is the problem.

Went out to ACE yesterday and bought an aerosol can of CRC QD; sez on the can safe for plastics.

Now, for the next DOH question:

Do you spray the cleaner onto an applicator and then swab the contacts or do you use the snorkel to go direct onto the contacts??

I use only 91%, cuts some grease and grime other stuff won't touch. was never able to really get the cooking grease off around and on the stove until I tried 91%.  I sold industrial cleaners and chemicals for 15 yrs so have had a little experience.

Here is a link to the Ciag website.

Note that they charge full retail, I've found much better prices elsewhere.

One product that works well for me is their Fader lubricant/cleaner.

It has quieted a number of noisy pots on stereo equipment for me.

The 70% "rubbing alcohol" contains other ingredients, some of those may not agree with the electrical contacts.

70% "rubbing alcohol" --- YES for other ingredients

70% isopropyl alcohol  --- NO other ingredients

Tom B

So, 70% isopropyl is OK; 70% rubbing alcohol is NOT OK?

Yes.  If it is labeled as "isopropyl alcohol" it is diluted isopropyl alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol contains extracts & essences.

Tom B

Thanks for the alcohol info.

Went out to ACE yesterday and bought an aerosol can of CRC QD; sez on the can safe for plastics.

Now, for the next DOH question:

Do you spray the cleaner onto an applicator and then swab the contacts or do you use the snorkel to go direct onto the contacts??

RickM46

Try this as well.

I went to a local Sally Beauty Supply with my wife.  I saw several different types and shapes of emery boards and sticks.  Bought some to use as contact cleaners and voila', a non-chemical, environmentally safe way of cleaning contacts etc.  For really dirty one's the spray is essential, but try the non-chemical way for maintenance.

Emery boards and sticks?

According to almost all the trade information I've read on servicing relays (contacts) the use of abrasives is not recommended.
Nothing more than an index or business card.

Sometimes I moisten the business card with a bit of contact cleaner or mineral spirits.