Maximize Your Power Supplies

CAIG Laboratories: The Home of What You Need to Maintain and Maximize Power Supplies

For anyone using non-tethered/cordless powered devices and equipment, you know that the power supply is critical to performance.  Likewise, on water craft, autos, motorcycles and other recreational vehicles, power supplies are also key to successful operation.  Despite these facts, many people neglect to care for these key component power sources.  This is a mistake!     

There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure that your power supplies are maximized and ready to work when you need them.  With this small amount of routine maintenance, you will extend the life of your power supplies and ensure they are ready to work called upon.

There are way too types of powered equipment, devices and vehicles to go over each type individually.  The following is intended to give some basic tips and guidelines for maintenance of the various types of power sources used in these things.

I. Before You Start

  • The First step YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT! Use extreme caution at all times.  
  • If the following tips are in any way contrary to the instructions of the manufacturer of the equipment, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Observe all applicable safety protocols listed by the manufacturer of the device, equipment or vehicle, if any.
  • Make sure the equipment is turned off (disconnect the battery and/or unplug the device).

II. The Problems with Power Supplies

Contamination of internal components of power supplies can be caused by water, saltwater, or other corrosive agents such as sulfur, methane, etc.  Even the actual recharging process for batteries produces gassing as a result of the breakdown of oxygen and hydrogen gas.  

Contaminants deteriorate battery performance. Corrosion can travel inside your battery cables causing high resistance and improper charging.  Batteries will lose power more quickly, not recharge as fully, and will ultimately lead to complete failure and need to replace the power supply.

In larger automotive, RV and marine batteries, corrosion develops along the battery terminals.  This can cause interference with the connection, and the vehicle may have trouble starting among other problems. 

*Special case of lithium-ion batteries.  These rechargeable batteries have improved over the years and are much safer today.  However, they have still been known to explode, especially in the case of older batteries.  Extreme heat is nearly guaranteed to cause a failure.  When recharging, corrosion on the contacts will result in the creation of excess heat.  Depending on the battery case, this could cause overheating resulting at best in loss of battery life, but also possibly leading to an explosion.  

Any of these factors (moisture/oxidation, other corrosion, chemicals in the environment, heat, etc.) can lead to a reduction of conductivity due to resistance.  This will negatively impact your power supply by preventing it from fully charging, stopping it from providing the necessary power to your device, and will make the power supply ultimately die before its time.   

III. Maintaining the Power Supply

**Prior to beginning your maintenance, we recommend that you apply Hand E Glove protective lotion to your hands. ==>> Click here  This lotion will protect you from harsh chemicals and will dampen static while you work on maintaining your tools and powered equipment.  In addition, if you put the Hand E Glove on before you work, you will notice that cleanup is very easy, even greases and adhesives will come off with simple soap and water.

With your powered equipment, you will have either a battery or a cord and plug.  

For the cord and plug, there is not much maintenance you can perform, but it is good to make sure of two things:

  • That the plug is relatively clean and free from oxidation. Use DeoxIT D Series for this – choose the applicator that works best for you, but a wipe may do just the trick here ==>>Click here ;
  • Make sure that the cord is well connected to your equipment and that there are no breaks, cuts, frays or other damages to the chord.

For lower voltage power supplies:

  • Lower voltage power supplies are in devices like phones, tablets, laptop computers, some power tools, RC vehicles, etc.
  • Clean all battery terminal connectors with DeoxIT D Series for this – choose the applicator that works best for you ==>>Click here ;
  • Clean all interior battery connections on your equipment with DeoxIT D Series for this – choose the applicator that works best for you ==>> Click here 
  • Clean all charging terminals or posts (in your charging bar or cradle) with DeoxIT D Series for this – choose the applicator that works best for you ==>>Click here 

For lower voltage power supplies that are primarily used outdoors or stored in a place where temperatures and humidity can fluctuate or generally used in severe environments (such as those containing higher amounts of sulfur and methane)

For larger/higher voltage (50v and over) power supplies:

  • These are power supplies found in automobiles, golf carts, boats, RVs, etc.
  • You should always maintain these types of power supplies as well.  This is true whether you are looking to clean off oxidized and corroded connections or terminals or you are sealing and protecting a new battery against corrosion and oxidation.
  • We recommend using a brush on product, rather than a spray protector, as the brush on will do the best job at penetrating and removing the oxidation and corrosion that develops under the plastic wire sheathing.

On used power supplies, especially if there is significant oxidation and corrosion, use a wire brush and gently brush off the terminal connectors and posts.  This step will accelerate the cleaning process, and is not necessary on newer or already cleaned power supplies.

  • Apply DeoxIT® Battery Cleaner & Protectant to all contact surfaces. ==>>Click here
  •  Brush this product to these critical points on the power supply: battery posts, terminal connectors, wire connection to the terminal connector, any ground connectors, if any, and any other connection through which power will flow.  This will remove existing corrosion and oxidation through chemical action over time.  It will also seal up the connection keeping oxygen out and eliminating oxidation, and leave a coating to protect the surfaces from other types of corrosion.  

In conclusion, A little bit of maintenance goes a long way.  Clean and well protected battery connections will produce the highest and best conductivity.  Plus, maintaining power supplies will make sure that you get the maximum battery life.  This will save you money in the long run and will certainly save you some time when your device, equipment or vehicle starts right up, runs well and up to spec, and does so when you need it and for as long as you need it!