On Tue, 8 Apr 2014 08:38:40 -0400, BAR wrote:

Isn't the problem and solution the same as with corroded battery
connectors in cars? Baking soda and water and coat the terminal and the
connector and let it fizz. Wait a few minutes and the pour on some water
to wash away the gunk?

===

With battery connectors you just need to neutralize the acid build up.
That's where the baking soda does does its job. With old wires you
first need to remove the oxide layer before you can make a good
connection. That requires a mild acid which then gets neutralized
with baking soda to stop the reaction from progressing.

Harold's point regarding replacing the entire wire with a new run of
tinned copper is perfectly valid but frequently very difficult,
especially on a larger boat.