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Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE!

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Old 9th Jun 2022, 3:54 pm   #1
keland_uk
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Default Corroded terminals

I suspect I know the answer to this.

1) Picture one of Corroded switch, I can use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean all the loose stuff, but will the cables be so iffy that best to cut them off and remake if enough cable to "clean" Copper, because the copper in the wires are so corroded.

2) Picture two. One of the fingers has broken. What are battery terminals made of, these look like they may be tinned copper, or are they just tin? Probably Copper by the green corrosion. Any hints on remaking them?


3) Ditto cut off and remake all connections?

(Think I'm answering my own question here... Battery terminal metalwork source and hint would be helpful)
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Old 9th Jun 2022, 6:06 pm   #2
Craig Sawyers
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Default Re: Corroded terminals

vinegar for cleaning battery corrosion

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Old 9th Jun 2022, 6:22 pm   #3
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Default Re: Corroded terminals

Use a dry toothbrush to remove as much of the green stuff as possible. Blow it out, then use another brush with vinegar on it to neutralise the corrosion. rinse with clear water and dry with tissues then a hairdryer. Apply Servisol contact cleaner 10 to the contacts in the switch and operate it.
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Old 9th Jun 2022, 7:51 pm   #4
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Default Re: Corroded terminals

(Yes, green corrosion confirms copper or a copper alloy such as brass)
At least the chemical treatment suggested will expose just how compromised the connections are.

Vinegar has quite low surface tension so it's liable to creep into tight spaces where it's not easy to remove it afterwards. Lemon juice is perhaps milder, but there's the same creep issue. You may end up chopping the ends off and starting again, but sometimes verdigris or blackening of copper wires extends back up inside the insulation for several inches, and you end up replacing the whole wire.

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Old 9th Jun 2022, 8:38 pm   #5
Uncle Bulgaria
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Default Re: Corroded terminals

I had great success dunking corroded battery terminals in a citric acid solution (so The Philpott's lemon juice really). I could see the verdigris bubbling off! As above, a rinse, dry and spray with Servisol 10 and all is well.
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Old 9th Jun 2022, 9:00 pm   #6
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Default Re: Corroded terminals

Yep, you can't beat removal and immersion. In my case the terminals were green all over and i assumed the original nickel plating had gone away....but no, most of it was still there, just hidden under verdigris. I think i scrubbed with an old toothbrush then gave them a second dip. I watered down the lemon juice slightly, 1:1 i think. 30 minutes total.

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Old 9th Jun 2022, 10:22 pm   #7
keland_uk
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Default Re: Corroded terminals

[QUOTE= but sometimes verdigris or blackening of copper wires extends back up inside the insulation for several inches, and you end up replacing the whole wire.

Dave[/QUOTE]

Thank you.


That's what I thought :-(, so basically cut out any black wires. By the look of them there isn't much copper left...
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