Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it. They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Thanks

Lee.

In article , Lee
Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking
ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a
slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in
place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it.
They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Cotton buds with contact cleaner or IPA (not the beer type)

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

On 06/06/2020 12:19, charles wrote:
In article , Lee
Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking
ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a
slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in
place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it.
They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Cotton buds with contact cleaner or IPA (not the beer type)

Many moons go, when working in computers, when we got contact problems
we were advised to use Pepsodent toothpaste to clean them. The contacts
were gold, after a while the gold disappeared, we were then told to stop
using it. Now you know where the advert "You will know where the yellow
went" originated!

On 06/06/2020 11:42, Lee Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it. They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Thanks

Lee.

super 10

On 06/06/2020 13:12, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:
On 06/06/2020 11:42, Lee Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile
looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits
into a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to
hold them in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it.
They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Thanks

Lee.

super 10

Methylated spirits if IsoPropyl Alchohol isn't to hand.

On Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 11:42:34 AM UTC+1, Lee Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it. They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Thanks

Lee.

I'd also suggest IPA, but perhaps on a small scrap of suede leather. Make sure
you pull the leather in the right direction.

Another idea might be to use a pencil eraser - one of the soft plastic ones.

You used to be able to get speshul erasors for cleaning contacts; I have one but
haven't seen them for years.

Go slow and gentle whatever you do; a couple of strokes max (!)

On 06/06/2020 11:42, Lee Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it. They seem so fragile and fiddley.

You can use cleaners like "deoxit", but also a circuit board cleaning
"rubber"[1] is often an easy way to clean those.

[1] A rubber block impregnated with a very fine abrasive - designed for
cleaning copper clad circuit boards prior to layout and etching.

e.g.

https://www.rapidonline.com/Catalogu...0Scrub%20Block


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On Saturday, 6 June 2020 15:20:58 UTC+1, John Rumm wrote:
On 06/06/2020 11:42, Lee Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it. They seem so fragile and fiddley.

You can use cleaners like "deoxit", but also a circuit board cleaning
"rubber"[1] is often an easy way to clean those.

[1] A rubber block impregnated with a very fine abrasive - designed for
cleaning copper clad circuit boards prior to layout and etching.

e.g.

https://www.rapidonline.com/Catalogu...0Scrub%20Block


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Thanks all. Do I need to clean inside the socket as well as the cable? If so how do you do that?

On Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 3:35:51 PM UTC+1, Lee Nowell wrote:
On Saturday, 6 June 2020 15:20:58 UTC+1, John Rumm wrote:
On 06/06/2020 11:42, Lee Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it. They seem so fragile and fiddley.

You can use cleaners like "deoxit", but also a circuit board cleaning
"rubber"[1] is often an easy way to clean those.

[1] A rubber block impregnated with a very fine abrasive - designed for
cleaning copper clad circuit boards prior to layout and etching.

e.g.

https://www.rapidonline.com/Catalogu...0Scrub%20Block


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Thanks all. Do I need to clean inside the socket as well as the cable? If so how do you do that?

I hope not! I have no particular tips to offer if you have to do that ;-/

Thanks to John Rumm for reminding me of the 'Seno Rubber' name

On 06/06/2020 15:35, Lee Nowell wrote:
On Saturday, 6 June 2020 15:20:58 UTC+1, John Rumm wrote:
On 06/06/2020 11:42, Lee Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it. They seem so fragile and fiddley.

You can use cleaners like "deoxit", but also a circuit board cleaning
"rubber"[1] is often an easy way to clean those.

[1] A rubber block impregnated with a very fine abrasive - designed for
cleaning copper clad circuit boards prior to layout and etching.

e.g.

https://www.rapidonline.com/Catalogu...0Scrub%20Block

Thanks all. Do I need to clean inside the socket as well as the cable? If so how do you do that?

No, just the cable typically. Inserting and removing the flexi from the
socket will tend to "wipe" its contacts anyway.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 06/06/2020 13:02, Broadback wrote:
Many moons go, when working in computers, when we got contact problems
we were advised to use Pepsodent toothpaste to clean them. The contacts
were gold, after a while the gold disappeared, we were then told to stop
using it. Now you know whereÂ* the advert "You will know where the yellow
went" originated!
Gold contacts seldom need cleaning and never with abrasive

Silver is another matter

--
€œThe fundamental cause of the trouble in the modern world today is that
the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt."

- Bertrand Russell

On 06/06/2020 16:23, John Rumm wrote:
No, just the cable typically. Inserting and removing the flexi from the
socket will tend to "wipe" its contacts anyway.

doing that a few times is a better bet than one of those rubbers. Like
the toothpaste it's an abrasive; it'll strip the gold off (if there is any!)

We were warned off them for that reason... sometime in the last millenium.

Andy

On 06/06/2020 20:41, Vir Campestris wrote:
On 06/06/2020 16:23, John Rumm wrote:
No, just the cable typically. Inserting and removing the flexi from
the socket will tend to "wipe" its contacts anyway.

doing that a few times is a better bet than one of those rubbers. Like
the toothpaste it's an abrasive; it'll strip the gold off (if there is
any!)

There is not usually gold on that type of flexi.

We were warned off them for that reason... sometime in the last millenium.

Use very gently certainly, but handy in cases of visible corrosion.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Are you sure the tracks just close to the stiffener strip are not fractured?
This is the normal failure mode. Anyone who has had a true Sinclair ZX
computer can tell you all about that particular design issue.
Brian

--
----- --
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Lee Nowell" wrote in message
...
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking
ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a
slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in
place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it.
They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Thanks

Lee.

Also make sure the sockets are not full of debris from the cable. A give
away that the cable is knackered, or almost.
Brian

--
----- --
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"charles" wrote in message
...
In article , Lee
Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile looking
ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into a
slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in
place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it.
They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Cotton buds with contact cleaner or IPA (not the beer type)

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

In article ,
Lee Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile
looking ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits into
a slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them
in place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it.
They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Thanks

Normally, simply removing and replacing will make a decent contact again.
Unless obvious signs of corrosion like green gunge.

--
*Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Sat, 06 Jun 2020 13:02:23 +0100, Broadback wrote:

Many moons go, when working in computers, when we got contact problems
we were advised to use Pepsodent toothpaste to clean them. The contacts
were gold, after a while the gold disappeared, we were then told to stop
using it. Now you know where the advert "You will know where the yellow
went" originated!

I think it was: "You'll wonder where the yellow went". I remember because
it was the first TV advert I ever saw.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 06/06/2020 13:02, Broadback wrote:
On 06/06/2020 12:19, charles wrote:
In article , Lee
Nowell wrote:
Hi all

I have a couple of issues which require me to clean those fragile
looking
ribbon cables like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/swy7yKKWHqjZ8mND6

They are the type that look more like a strip of plastic that fits
into a
slot like connector with a tiny plastic strip that seems to hold them in
place.

Question is what to use to clean the connection and how best to do it.
They seem so fragile and fiddley.

Cotton buds with contact cleaner or IPA (not the beer type)

Many moons go, when working in computers, when we got contact problems
we were advised to use Pepsodent toothpaste to clean them. The contacts
were gold, after a while the gold disappeared, we were then told to stop
using it. Now you know whereÂ* the advert "You will know where the yellow
went" originated!

I would guess there are not many who recall the ad... I only know the
theme tune because I used to here people sing it when I was a kid, and
at the time had no idea what it was about or where it come from!


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/