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racer4's avatar
racer4
Explorer
Aug 05, 2018

Use DeoxIT Spray On Power Post Outlet?

When I get a RV site with a suspicious looking power post outlet, is it good to use DeoxIT D5 or DN5 spray to clean the outlet terminals?

What I mean by suspicious is not broken, but old and worn. Getting a different RV site is often not practical. So what can I do to make the best of it? I don't want to end up with burnt prongs on an expensive ($80-$150) power cord.

If using DeoxIT is good, which version should I buy?

DeoxIT D5 says to let it dry for 2 to 3 minutes and it says the solvent is flammable.

DeoxIT DN5 says "May be used where fast evaporation and/or non-flammability is required, and no dripping is preferred. It is also safe on plastics." I wonder if it cleans as well as D5.


DeoxIT® Directions For Use pdf
  • As far as cleaning power goes D-100 has far and away more cleaning power. You know how much push and pull effort it takes to fit a new receptacle. If the plug droops in the receptacle I would be reluctant to use it....period. Once the metal gets annealed by too many heatings it may tolerate only 5 or so amps.
    I did not ask permission from one renter when I yanked his plug at ten PM. His plug was blistering hot. My sockets were brand new. He emerged angry as hell. I gave him a choice, depart with a refund or buy a new plug and I would install it for ten dollars.
    I had an inventory of 8 plugs from the US. He was not a happy camper. So the next morning at breakfast I brought his charred and broken plug to breakfast and laid it on the table. The other four campers gave him pure hell for it.
    He departed right after breakfast. I was not in the business of subsidizing damage from cheapskate-stupid 'rv' owners.

    USA RV parks must spend a fortune on replacement receptacles. It is equally frustrating for RV owners given a site with a destroyed receptacle.

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    I had a plug with a pull handle on it. Before I moved an inch from the office I would walk down to the site and check the receptacle. IIf the plug fit loosely on the tiniest bit of black came out with the disconnect it would be "Let's try another site"
  • I wouldn't spray anything on a pedestal plug. Male plug OK and might be more effective. As others have said it may/may not help.
  • Just don't put anything in there that is going to leave a residue.
    Real electrical contact cleaner s/b fine but it wont remove much in the way of corrosion without mechanical effort. As the previous gentleman indicated, it also isn't going to correct for worn or loose contacts either - which is generally the real problem.
  • It's not going to repair the weak springs or worn out contacts.

    It's contact cleaner.

    Why isn't getting another site practical? The cost of the shore power cord seems important to you. If the outlet looks "questionable", get it repaired or get another site.
  • I use the d-100 and apply it to the male plug prongs. Then I slide the plug in and out of the female socket a few times.
  • Not sure I'd want to spray ANYTHING into an outlet, whether the power is off at the breaker or not. Best thing (IMHO) is to turn the power off, plug cord in, then turn power back on, thereby eliminating the arcing and schparking. Again, just MHO.

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