4
Tried a different way to clean those tiny fiber optic connectors on a Garmin G500 unit.
We had a G500 with a weak signal fault, and the usual cleaning sticks weren't cutting it. I had a box of those single-use lens wipes for my glasses, the kind soaked in alcohol. I figured, why not? I tore off a tiny corner, wrapped it around the stick, and gave the connector end face a gentle wipe. Checked it under the scope and it was spotless, better than any dry clean I'd done. The signal strength jumped right into the green. I guess the little bit of fluid helped lift the oil film the dry sticks were just smearing around. I'm not saying it's the new standard, but for stubborn, oily contamination on those little ends, it worked a treat. Has anyone else tried something like this, or is it a fast track to getting yelled at by the shop lead?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
milessmith1mo agoMost Upvoted
Honestly, I was always in the "dry clean only" camp, scared of leaving residue. But your result is hard to argue with. That makes total sense about the alcohol lifting the oil instead of pushing it around. I used to have the same mood as @taraanderson mentions, always waiting for the shop lead to frown at any new method. Seeing a signal jump into the green would change anyone's mind. It sounds like a smart fix for a specific, stubborn problem.
8