Best way to clear grit and sand out of 7 pin plug??

[profdant139]

Just got back from the desert -- seriously dusty conditions. I unplugged my trailer and noticed that there is a lot of junk in the 7 pin plug.

What's the best way to clean it out? I will try the shop vac and an air compressor, but there is some sand stuck way back in there.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!!

[profdant139]

Lots of great suggestions here -- thanks! I never would have thought of washing it out with water, but of course the connections get wet in the rain. So water should be ok.

And obviously, I will try dry methods (vacuum and air compressor) first. Then water. The let it dry and blow it out some more.

The screwdriver idea makes sense -- I can insert the blade gently to open up a gap so the grit can be blown out.

I am reluctant to try WD 40 -- I'm worried that it will trap more grit.

Someone suggested taking the unit apart -- it's a one piece molded item and can't be disassembled.

I've done a lot of off road towing, and I have never seen so much dust and grit in my equipment as we experienced in the Mojave Desert. Wow!! Might be a good idea to wrap some plastic around the 7 pin next time we go there, as suggested above.

[hornet28]

I use one of these to keep it clean and dry it works great.
https://www.reese-hitches.com/products/7_Way_Plug_Storage_Box,P-320

[hornet28]

I use one of these it works great.
https://www.reese-hitches.com/products/7_Way_Plug_Storage_Box,P-320

[RCMAN46]

I would suggest first blow out as much as possible with air.
Next submerge in Simple green without diluting it. Leave in the Simple green for several hours or if you have the time a full day.
Next blow out the simple green with air then use hot water to remove the rest of the Simple Green. Then blow out with air until completely dry.

As stated get a cover for the plug when not is use. I found one at my local NAPA Auto Supply. 7 way rubber boot

[schlep1967]

pigman1 wrote:
Duhh? Take it apart, wash thoroughly with soap and water using a toothbrush to get in crannies, rinse and let dry and put it back together.

Duhh? Not all of them come apart. Some are molded together at the factory.

[pigman1]

Duhh? Take it apart, wash thoroughly with soap and water using a toothbrush to get in crannies, rinse and let dry and put it back together.

[zigzagrv]

A can of CRC contact cleaner will blast out the grit, improve electrical connection and leaves no oily residue. You can get it at most auto stores.

[John_Burke]

Get a can of computer keyboard duster (the compressed air in a can) and blow it out.

[valhalla360]

schlep1967 wrote:
I would not use any spray until you get as much as possible out with air. Wet sand sticks unless it is very wet. Add in an oily mixture like wd-40 and it will stick forever. If you are talking about the pigtail I would disconnect the battery in the trailer, unplug the camper and dip that pigtail into a bucket of water. Move it around, shake it, force water into it maybe even use a hose to flush the sand out. After it is clean hit it with the air to get it dry. Then add whatever you use on your pins normally. But if you are going back to the sandbox I wouldn't put any lubricant in there unless you plan on putting a plastic bag over it when not hooked up. And it wouldn't hurt to wrap it with plastic when it is hooked up.

Agreed, as long as you aren't trying to use it immediately, hit it with a strong spray of water (even a pressure washer).

The plug is intended to live out in the weather, so as long as you give it a chance to dry out a bit before use, it should cause no harm. (if you are traveling in a rainstorm, it's certainly not going to keep water out)

Anything oily just tends to attract more dust and grit which is then even harder to remove.

[rhagfo]

Pigtail end unless it is a molded end disassemble it and clean with compressed air and vacuum. If molded unit I would blow and vacuum as much as possible
, then contact cleaner.
Vehicle end disassemble and blow out.

[schlep1967]

I would not use any spray until you get as much as possible out with air. Wet sand sticks unless it is very wet. Add in an oily mixture like wd-40 and it will stick forever. If you are talking about the pigtail I would disconnect the battery in the trailer, unplug the camper and dip that pigtail into a bucket of water. Move it around, shake it, force water into it maybe even use a hose to flush the sand out. After it is clean hit it with the air to get it dry. Then add whatever you use on your pins normally. But if you are going back to the sandbox I wouldn't put any lubricant in there unless you plan on putting a plastic bag over it when not hooked up. And it wouldn't hurt to wrap it with plastic when it is hooked up.

[wa8yxm]

Boomerweps wrote:
WD40 and a flat blade screwdriver. Use the screwdriver to open the connector blades. Wash it out with WD40. Then blow it dry.

WD 40 was designed to displace water on Electrical connections (WD=Water Displacement) So a very very good suggestion.

IF you are talking the SOCKET (Female holes) a small drill bit might work better than the screwdriver but either will work with enough WD-30 to flush it out. If you are talking the PLUG (the part with prongs) then the screwdriver is likely best.

When not plugged in a "Cap" over the beast might not be a bad idea.

After the WD-40 has basically gone away there is a product called DE-OX-IT (Give WD at least a month) and I'd spray 'em down with that as well... 5 or 10 if the contacts are fairly clean (DE-Ox-It comes in many "Strengths" from 5 to 90 or more. the bigger the number the bigger the $$$ number. it refers to the strength of the de-oxidizer in the spray)

[Sjm9911]

Contact cleaner. Spray the hell out of it.

[Boomerweps]

WD40 and a flat blade screwdriver. Use the screwdriver to open the connector blades. Wash it out with WD40. Then blow it dry.