Bruce wrote:
>I used a pencil-type typewriter eraser to clean off all of the oxidation on
>the contacts and on the little copper dumbbell that actually shorts the
>contacts, and lo and behold I have operating flashers! To be on the safe
>side I applied a light coating of WD40 to try to help control future
>oxidation. By rights the contacts should have been gold plated, but that
>would have made too much sense (and cost too much) for Lucas to contemplate.
Petroleum jelly (petrolatum or whatever) is a better choice... WD40 has some
volatiles which will evaporate over time. A coating of petrolatum will stay for
years and protect from corrosion better. BTW, the contact resistance is *not*
adversely effected by the presence of the protective jelly film. The contact
quality is a function of *pressure*, so make sure that the little spring is well
protected. Since it is steel, it is susceptible to corrosion too. If it
corrodes and looses some of its spring constant, the reduced pressure will
effect proper switch operation.
regards, John Pratchios
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