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| Thread ID: 84755 | 2007-11-17 03:35:00 | Cleaning dirty potentiometer (or finding a replacement) | Agent_24 (57) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 612193 | 2007-11-17 03:35:00 | as the title suggests... what should I clean it with? or would replacement be better? Where to get dual ones with pins in line, rather then 2 separate rows? This it the pot in question: www.imagef1.net.nz |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 612194 | 2007-11-17 04:49:00 | This stuff (www.jaycar.co.nz) is not too bad. Still, since you have got the thing out, why not go the whole hog and dismantle it? Clean the innards with isopropyl alchohol (or kerosene) and a paper towel, then when it looks shiny, gently rub the carbon tracks with a soft pencil. Then all you have to do is get it back together and re-installed. :waughh: |
R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 612195 | 2007-11-17 05:30:00 | Still, since you have got the thing out, why not go the whole hog and dismantle it? Clean the innards with isopropyl alchohol (or kerosene) and a paper towel, then when it looks shiny, gently rub the carbon tracks with a soft pencil . Don't put a pencil anywhere near it, you will stuff up the resistance value . There is no need to dismantle it either, in fact you will probably stuff it completely if you try . Just squirt some CRC inside (using a nozzle extension) and rotate the shaft a few times . You don't even need to take them out of the equipment unless there is no access for the CRC nozzle, in which case removal and careful drilling of a small hole is required . There are specialist pot cleaning sprays around, but I've always found CRC to be just as effective . Forty-odd years of experience has taught me that much, though for the first decade or so CRC didn't even exist and we used Servisol instead . Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 612196 | 2007-11-17 05:48:00 | Don't put a pencil anywhere near it, you will stuff up the resistance value. There is no need to dismantle it either, in fact you will probably stuff it completely if you try. Just squirt some CRC inside (using a nozzle extension) and rotate the shaft a few times. You don't even need to take them out of the equipment unless there is no access for the CRC nozzle, in which case removal and careful drilling of a small hole is required. There are specialist pot cleaning sprays around, but I've always found CRC to be just as effective. Forty-odd years of experience has taught me that much, though for the first decade or so CRC didn't even exist and we used Servisol instead. Cheers Billy 8-{) While I would have no problem opening it up and doing whatever I had to (which would seem a lot easier than finding a replacement that looks even anything like this one) - I think I'll go with the CRC Looks like I'll have to go buy some though, as I've run out, and I guess WD40 wouldn't be good for it :lol: My other option is head cleaner (Isopropyl Aclohol and Trichlorotrifluroethane) if that's any good? |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 612197 | 2007-11-17 05:50:00 | Oh and BTW, which CRC product should I use? | Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 612198 | 2007-11-17 05:51:00 | I personally use a CRC product called Electro-Cleaner. Its good stuff. |
Metla (12) | ||
| 612199 | 2007-11-17 06:57:00 | Straight CRC 2-26 is fine . I wouldn't dismantle a pot, there is nothing you can do inside to help and with small pots you may well bugger it up completely . It is very hard to reassemble them anfd have everything tight as it should be . I assume that the issue is noise, and 2-26 will clean the track and suppress noise no problem . You can use a range of CRC products but I've never found the need to use anything else on pots . Contact cleaner is good for switches and will also quieten a pot for a while but it tends to remove the lubricants as well . Alcohol is no use at all, but WD40 will probably do just as well as CRC though I haven't tried it . It won't do any harm . Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 612200 | 2007-11-17 17:32:00 | Had a rubber-based resistance element that WD40 really destroyed once! Can youse guys still get Tric 1,1,1? WOW! I'd stick with either Radio Shack's pot cleaner or get the CRC . . they are both good . BTW: Fender Guitars makes a really good lube/cleaner too for their guitar pots! |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 612201 | 2007-11-17 18:31:00 | If all the above fails it may be because the carbon track is worn through in places. Your last chance then is to carefully dissect it and carefully move the wiper/s sideways a fraction, ½ a mm is enough. But really, if the CRC doesn’t work a new one is the next best option, however, desperate situations need desperate measures. Good luck. Joe, I think they’ve banned Trichoethylene in NZ. Nor sure why but I used to use it by the gallon. |
B.M. (505) | ||
| 612202 | 2007-11-17 18:58:00 | I assume that the issue is noise, and 2-26 will clean the track and suppress noise no problem . Alcohol is no use at all, but WD40 will probably do just as well as CRC though I haven't tried it . It won't do any harm . Cheers Billy 8-{) Yeah it's pretty noisy . . hopefully this will at least minimise that, I think i'll go with the CRC 2-26 . If that doesn't work too well I have an idea with a standard dual pot to do some modifications to how it mounts, possibly upside down on its own PCB :waughh: |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
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