In several videos, I've seen them spray those dreaded electrical connectors. I'm assuming it's to help disconnect them. I've searched and can't find any specific electrical connector spray. I found some old forum that talked about using soapy water. However, those videos seem to be spraying some sort of aerosol spray.
Does anyone know of such a spray? What do you use?
Is soapy water really a good idea? Water conducts, couldn't that cause a short? Or rust?
I really don't know what you were seeing in the videos, but I do have a very good suggestion for you as far as connectors go. Use WD-40. It does three things for you.
Something about water is, pure water does not conduct electricity. However, once you start putting impurities in it, like soap, it will conduct then. Soap will also collect crud (dirt, dust, what have you), which will cause you issues in the future.
What I think you are looking for is Di-Electric Grease.
Di-electric grease seals, lubricates, waterproofs and insulates electrical connections with a thin, non-curing silicone compound that helps maintain electrical performance by reducing voltage drops and problems caused by adverse weather conditions.
Di-electric grease also provides an exceptional lubricant for fasteners used to support temporary electrical work.
There are several brands making them. I use it on my boat engine. Search for Contact Spray.
But never, ever, ever use WD40! That thing destroys more engines than saltwater! It is a great spray but not for everything!!! Use that only on metal which is stuck/corroded. Though, Never on moving parts because it DOES NOT have any lubricant in it. It dries things out and it attacks plastics too!
For car batteries, there is terminal grease, which basically is a simple grease with corrosion inhibitors. Since it is an insulator, some pressure is required to make a good electrical connection between the contacts.
This pressure makes this grease less optimal for small connectors with lighter contacts. Here, oily contact sprays are better.
But be warned since there are often two kinds of contact sprays. For example, I know KONTAKT 60 and KONTAKT 61 from the german company Kontakt Chemie. The first is a cleaner for electrical connectors, which removes existing corrosion. This is done by some aggressive ingredients, which later will lead even more corrosion. (Like vinegar: can be used to remove rust, but also causes rust) The second product is used after to protect the now clean contacts from further corrosion.
But in general, there often is no need for that special products. Simple petroleum jelly is often used instead of terminal grease, and a simple oil can be used instead of contact spray. They don't contain corrosion inhibitors, but due to their greasy nature, are mostly good enough.
By the way: There is a contact spray form WD40, too, but it is more a cleaner to remove grease, oil, flux and other residues from PCBs etc.
