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03-05-2017, 05:27 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 42
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Cleaning the 7-way power cable connector
I went to check on my winter-stored trailer, and I found that at some point the power cable end fell onto the ground. The 7-way connector is now pretty much full of mud and grit. Can anyone give me some advice on the best way to clean the contacts? Would spraying a load of WD40 in there help? It's stored at a remote site with no power or water, and I'd quite like to have the electrics working when I tow it out.
Thanks,
John
2016 FR Evo 20'
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John Thomlinson
San Pedro, CA
2016 EVO-ATS 200RDS
Slowly figuring out the meaning of life
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03-05-2017, 05:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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I suggest this, WD makes a contact cleaner as well.
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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03-05-2017, 08:30 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 42
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Thanks
Thanks for the recommendation - I can even get it at my local Walmart.
Cheers,
John
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John Thomlinson
San Pedro, CA
2016 EVO-ATS 200RDS
Slowly figuring out the meaning of life
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03-05-2017, 08:54 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 459
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Old toothbrush and some water and dish soap to get the crap out of it. Then use some electronics cleaner. Then some dielectric grease on each terminal to keep them from corroding again in the future.
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03-05-2017, 08:56 PM
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#5
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Cyber Phrenologist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern Crescent
Posts: 1,806
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You might also pick up a can of compressed air and some of those weird plastic toothpicks with the little "brush" on the end to clean out down in there.
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KU4OJ
2008 (or is it 2009?) Rockwood 8280SS - 2022 F-250 7.3L
Lot's of mostly Kenwood radios
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03-05-2017, 09:03 PM
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#6
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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A simple paper clip or small solid wire formed with a small L on the end will also clean the mud out and then squirt with WD40.
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03-05-2017, 09:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,219
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Once you get it cleaned out go down to Walmart and pick up a 7 pin truck connector and slide your trailer plug into it. Will no longer matter if it is laying on the ground. Got mine for 7 bucks and have had a clean plug ever since.
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2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
EQUALIZER E4 1200/12000
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03-05-2017, 10:00 PM
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#8
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbrjet
Once you get it cleaned out go down to Walmart and pick up a 7 pin truck connector and slide your trailer plug into it. Will no longer matter if it is laying on the ground. Got mine for 7 bucks and have had a clean plug ever since.
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Suggest you get a big hose clamp and clamp it to the tongue jack facing up and just plug the end into it when you unhook from the tow vehicle. With it facing up and the female facing down, rain water will not bother it either.
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03-06-2017, 11:02 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 42
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Thanks to everyone
Some really good suggestions here. Thanks so much. I'd rather not have to store the trailer at all, but until retirement it'll be off the road quite a bit. It's nice to know that with those PM suggestions this is one thing I shouldn't have to worry about in the future.
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John Thomlinson
San Pedro, CA
2016 EVO-ATS 200RDS
Slowly figuring out the meaning of life
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03-06-2017, 01:41 PM
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#10
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jkoenig24
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Box Elder, SD (formerly NY)
Posts: 953
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AFTER you physically clean the prongs, apply "DeOxIt" to the prongs. DeOxIt neutralizes the chemical corrosion giving you better electrical contact. I use the red liquid that has its' own applicator brush.
Homepage - CAIG
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03-06-2017, 02:34 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Franklin, TN
Posts: 746
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After cleaning it use electronics cleaner. Have used battery terminal cleaner to remove corision if it is there. Used Wd-40, got a ground issue with it, used electronics afterwards and ground issue went away. Apparently the center pin and another made through contact through the WD-40, not sure. Use female dummy plug as well as I store outside.
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2020 Georgetown 31L, Safe T steering, Sumo springs, Onan Geny
2015 GMC Canyon 4X4 TOAD w/Blue Ox tow plates, InvisiBrake
Pepper 🌶 PomChi rescue 545 nights as our camping buddy
Days camped in FR 2011-12 = 77, 13-14 = 98, 15-16 = 129
17 = 81, 18 = 44, 19 = 83, 20= 45, 21 = 76, 22 = 57, 23 = 42
Retired : 
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03-06-2017, 03:24 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 176
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X2 on the deoxIT. Amazing stuff, can be used on connectors and jacks you don't think about like USB, HDMI, component video, etc.
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03-06-2017, 04:28 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SW ONTARIO
Posts: 354
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Quote:
Originally Posted by metalsideup
X2 on the deoxIT. Amazing stuff, can be used on connectors and jacks you don't think about like USB, HDMI, component video, etc.
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Could you give me the detail of the precise product you use? I just called the distributor here, and he needs more detail. DeoxIT comes in incredible number of types and containers.
Thanks
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03-06-2017, 04:45 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 176
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Yes Sir, I use their red version, the D100 on electronics. I keep a small bottle with a needle applicator in my trailer's electrical tool kit. Pricey stuff but works like nothing else.
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03-06-2017, 05:32 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: East Ohio
Posts: 82
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All but WD
I stay away from the WD-40 mainly because it will pick up dust and dirt over time. The contact cleaner mentioned earlier is the best thing to use. My 2
Cents! 😊
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03-07-2017, 08:31 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SW ONTARIO
Posts: 354
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Quote:
Originally Posted by metalsideup
Yes Sir, I use their red version, the D100 on electronics. I keep a small bottle with a needle applicator in my trailer's electrical tool kit. Pricey stuff but works like nothing else.
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Thank you very much, I'll order some today.
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03-07-2017, 08:44 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SE Arizona's Gila Vally
Posts: 1,511
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I up a terminal cleaning kit from Snap On tools that has special blades that you can push in n out of the socket to clean those flat style terminals with.
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2016 RAM 1500 - 2016 Keystone Laredo 265SRK
The road goes on forever and the party never ends.
Illegitimum non carborundum
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