how to clean FF contacts - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

batty1of3 · 08-04-2010, 05:44 AM

I let some salt water get on my ff connectors a while back and it has since stopped working. The connectors are all corroded and i'm looking for something that can clean them i tried with a wire brush but can get into the small holes in the connectors. does anyone know of a solution that would clean them off like CLR or something ?

thanks in advance

mckenzie · 08-04-2010, 06:26 AM

Nothing! If the connections are corroded, start over with new connections, you may need some new connection wire too.

Cost of playing in salt water.

Holy Mackerel · 08-04-2010, 08:16 AM

Try WD-40 to clean it, or actually West Marine sells a corrosion spray, that is pretty awesome. It may start up with just this... but I'd use Di-electric grease next time, between your FF, and plug.

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...-Grease/Detail

zinkysd · 08-04-2010, 08:41 AM

Soak the contacts in vinegar. Works everytime.

Ken
Team Dana Point Jet Ski

dsafety · 08-04-2010, 09:09 AM

X2 on the vinegar. Dip a q-tip in vinegar and wipe the contacts until the corrosion is gone. A little dielectric grease will slow future corrosion.

One way to quickly ruin your contacts is to leave the battery connected to the FF cable while in storage. The moist air inside the kayak plus the electric current will cause the contacts to rot away.

Bob

lterrero · 08-04-2010, 09:42 AM

Baking Soda works also, but get wire & connectors new?

maui jim · 08-04-2010, 10:03 AM

Perfect excuse to upgrade FF unit......Do it now....

Geoffkoop · 08-04-2010, 10:38 AM

X3 on vinegar. Then grease em.

Rob929 · 08-04-2010, 03:19 PM

I've used vingar, and baking soda at the same time.. u get that reaction that seems to help break up the corrosion. Dialectric grease is the key for prevention.

tunaseeker · 08-04-2010, 08:19 PM

If you use the vinegar (acid ph 3) and baking soda (ph10) at the same time you will generate some carbon dioxideFgas. The acid will etch the metal parts and the extra oxygen will oxidize the cable too. It will get rid of the corrosion but eventually thing the wires. Temp solution and add some dielectric grease. should work unitl it gets corroded again.

T-Rex · 08-07-2010, 04:03 PM

Be careful using the vinegar...I use vinegar to remove rust from pliers and other tools. Left a pair of needle nose pliers in a cup of vinegar for a week and was surprised how much metal dissolved.

Gino · 08-07-2010, 05:39 PM

Corosion X id think would work well? spray it on and in a couple secounds it goes away! Dielectric grease everything! Pep Boys has a little blue packets of grease for a dollar a pop. 1 packet last me awhile with some to spare.

08-04-2010, 05:44 AM	#1
batty1of3 Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 51	how to clean FF contacts I let some salt water get on my ff connectors a while back and it has since stopped working. The connectors are all corroded and i'm looking for something that can clean them i tried with a wire brush but can get into the small holes in the connectors. does anyone know of a solution that would clean them off like CLR or something ? thanks in advance

08-04-2010, 08:41 AM	#4
zinkysd Hobie Fishing Team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 145	Soak the contacts in vinegar. Works everytime. Ken Team Dana Point Jet Ski __________________

08-04-2010, 10:03 AM	#7
maui jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cypress, CA Posts: 789	Perfect excuse to upgrade FF unit......Do it now.... __________________

08-04-2010, 08:19 PM	#10
tunaseeker TB Metal Art Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 651	FF If you use the vinegar (acid ph 3) and baking soda (ph10) at the same time you will generate some carbon dioxideFgas. The acid will etch the metal parts and the extra oxygen will oxidize the cable too. It will get rid of the corrosion but eventually thing the wires. Temp solution and add some dielectric grease. should work unitl it gets corroded again.

08-07-2010, 04:03 PM	#11
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	Be careful using the vinegar...I use vinegar to remove rust from pliers and other tools. Left a pair of needle nose pliers in a cup of vinegar for a week and was surprised how much metal dissolved. __________________

08-04-2010, 06:26 AM	#2
mckenzie Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 46	Nothing! If the connections are corroded, start over with new connections, you may need some new connection wire too. Cost of playing in salt water.

08-04-2010, 08:16 AM	#3
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	Try WD-40 to clean it, or actually West Marine sells a corrosion spray, that is pretty awesome. It may start up with just this... but I'd use Di-electric grease next time, between your FF, and plug. http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...-Grease/Detail

08-04-2010, 09:09 AM	#5
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	X2 on the vinegar. Dip a q-tip in vinegar and wipe the contacts until the corrosion is gone. A little dielectric grease will slow future corrosion. One way to quickly ruin your contacts is to leave the battery connected to the FF cable while in storage. The moist air inside the kayak plus the electric current will cause the contacts to rot away. Bob

08-04-2010, 09:42 AM	#6
lterrero Leo Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: La Jolla, CA Posts: 482	Baking Soda works also, but get wire & connectors new?

08-04-2010, 10:38 AM	#8
Geoffkoop Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 302	X3 on vinegar. Then grease em.

08-04-2010, 03:19 PM	#9
Rob929 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 134	I've used vingar, and baking soda at the same time.. u get that reaction that seems to help break up the corrosion. Dialectric grease is the key for prevention.

08-07-2010, 05:39 PM	#12
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 520	Corosion X id think would work well? spray it on and in a couple secounds it goes away! Dielectric grease everything! Pep Boys has a little blue packets of grease for a dollar a pop. 1 packet last me awhile with some to spare.