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Cleaning battery connections

Former Member
Former Member over 6 years ago
I've got a pair of Vector 3 pedals, new battery door, v3.5, used since June no problems. Replaced batteries a month ago, past week had right pedal missing error messages. Limited dropouts last week indoors, and then complete failure outdoors at weekend. Looked at the battery connections and in the pedal body the gold terminals have black marks in the middle. Tried cleaning these off with cotton buds to limited effect. Still can't connect with right pedal properly.

I've read that mineral oil should have been used when changing batteries, I didn't do that initially. Any suggestions on how to clean off the marks? The cotton buds came away initially with black marks, but stopped after initial wipe.
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    Use a cotton swap with rubbing alcohol and wipe the contacts until you see shiny metal. You should definitely use a conductive grease, mineral oil, or other conductive oil between every surface including battery to contact on both ends and between each battery. Mineral oil was the suggested product because I think it was assumed that was just the most likely thing someone would have around. I have used motor oil successfully Since my bike is usually on my trainer in my shop. The first time I changed batteries with the new doors I didn't use any oil and immediately had dropouts. I pulled the batteries and placed a small drop of motor oil between all contact surfaces and have not had a single problem since.
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    The intent of the lubricant is to eliminate the buildup of a resistive layer between the various electrical contact points that can occur due to fretting damage. The lubricant acts to (a) reduce friction between the components and (b) exclude oxygen from the contact points. It is not necessary or desirable for the lubricant to be electrically conductive.

    The recommended lubricants are baby oil, a low-viscosity non-waxy bicycle lubricant like Tri-Flow, or other light (low viscosity) machine oils such as sewing machine oil.