Dirty Harness Connector - Cleaning?

[Joe Gleason]

Just dug my unit out of some serious snow... 2 hours of hard digging...

Turns out the cap on the car was left off... so it was full of dirt... and corroded...

I had electric tape on the camper connector... that had peeled back and was buried in the snow... (looks ok)...

Surprisingly - everything works - but a few times ... It didn't...

Any good way of cleaning those up?  A Spray... or something?

It's 8 degs today... Almost hated setting up - as I would think it would be hard on the cables to lift... the pull out sounded like crap... but the weather is forecasting - windy... snow ... so this might be my last break..  Before we go...

[Campaholics]

I'm assuming brake and tail lights are the problem.  Auto supply and electronics stores sell contact cleaner.  But first, try to get a contact file from an electrical supply store.  It's a small flat file that just fits in the Bargman connector.  In a pinch a trimmed down emery board will get enough crosion off to make a reasonable contact.  After cleaning all the contacts (plug and receptacle) with the file, hit them with the contact cleaner.  


Bob

[aw738]

Get some dielectic greese to help keep the contacts clean afterwards.

[Joe Gleason]

Not knowing any better, I was thinking of spraying WD40 or something... Really appreciate the tips... Sounds like the better solution (by a long shot)

[wynot]

Just dug my unit out of some serious snow... 2 hours of hard digging...
 
Turns out the cap on the car was left off... so it was full of dirt... and corroded...
 
I had electric tape on the camper connector... that had peeled back and was buried in the snow... (looks ok)...
 
Surprisingly - everything works - but a few times ... It didn't...
 
Any good way of cleaning those up? A Spray... or something?
 
It's 8 degs today... Almost hated setting up - as I would think it would be hard on the cables to lift... the pull out sounded like crap... but the weather is forecasting - windy... snow ... so this might be my last break.. Before we go...

Too late now, but I think that most manufacturers do not encourage opening or closing below 20 deg F.
 
If the contacts are corroded, you probably have some work ahead of you.  Use an abrasive (emery paper, sandpaper, small spark plug brush, knife edge.)  Dielectric grease (also known as distributor or tuneup grease) will help make and keep contacts.  Just keep the grease out of the sand.  I accidently dropped my Bargman trailer plug into the sand in Delaware and spent the next 2 hours cleaning grit out of the greased contacts, etc. at a campsite.  
 
I put a dab of grease on the connectors a couple times a season and make sure it is well greased on the TV before winter.