doomed
Member
I'm sorry if this was asked before. But what is the best method of cleaning leaf switches.I was told to run a business card between the contacts. Does that do anything?
-
Please post all monitor technical topics in the Technical - Videogames - Monitors section, not in the General Help section.
How to clean leaf switches
- Thread starter doomed
- Start date
Peale
Active member
The business card is to get the right spacing between the contacts, it doesn't clean anything.
Use either an emery board or some very fine sandpaper, and just give the contacts a bit of a rub. The business card then between the contacts, and adjust until proper.
Use either an emery board or some very fine sandpaper, and just give the contacts a bit of a rub. The business card then between the contacts, and adjust until proper.
DiamondDave
Member
Thats what I use, and it works great, but it knida pisses my wife off, she can never find one when she needs one.
Dr Galaga
Active member
I cut (or rip) paper in to small strips. Spray contact cleaner on one and run it through the switch as I'm pushing the switch together. I continue to do this with other pieces until there are no longer dirty streaks on the paper. I then run some clean sheets through the switch.
KenLayton
In Memoriam
On a video game the leaf switches are gold plated because of the low voltage/low current. Filing or burnishing destroys this coating! I NEVER file or burnish video game leaf switches. Two methods can be used on these types of switches. One method is to use an ordinary business card and you run it between the contacts as you squeeze them together with either your fingers or needle nose pliers. The card is NOT used for setting the gap. The other method (which is what I use) is to get one of those "correction" pencils from an office supply store. You know the ones with a brush on the end and it has a white ink eraser core. You sharpen it like a pencil. These were used for correcting typewritten mistakes. To use this method spread the contacts and use the white correcting end to gently rub the tarnished contacts clean. Now take a Q-tip swab moistened in 99% rubbing alcohol and swab between the contacts. It gets the contacts absoultely clean without removing or damaging the gold plating.
Now if you want to clean the leaf switches in an electro-mechanical pinball machine that's when you use an automobile "points" file! Electronic pinballs also use gold plated switches so they can't be filed.
Now if you want to clean the leaf switches in an electro-mechanical pinball machine that's when you use an automobile "points" file! Electronic pinballs also use gold plated switches so they can't be filed.
OregonPacman
New member
I haven't used a business card before but have used a dollar bill in the past. That seems to work alright.
flamebero
New member
Doller bills seem to dirty to clean with
