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Old 14th Jun 2017, 11:18 am   #1
Voxophone
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Default Cleaning LOPTs with white spirit

How safe is it to clean a pitch covered LOPT with white spirit? I know it’s been done before, but I’m concerned about the effect it may have on the enamel of the windings.

I have a Bush LOPT with rotten EHT wires and I’m trying to clean up the tags for soldering. I’ve used white spirit sparingly so far and it seems to do the trick. I’m wondering if it would be safe to do a general clean with it for a better appearance and re-coat with anti-corona lacquer.

Most of the pitch from the upper white portion has already flaked off.

Cheers

Liam
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Old 15th Jun 2017, 12:12 am   #2
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Default Re: Cleaning LOPTs with white spirit

I wouldn't get solvent into the windings of a LOPT. You could try carefully melting the pitch with a soldering iron and try to cover any exposed windings. If there isn't any corona or any other signs or arching, I'd leave well alone!
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Old 15th Jun 2017, 1:09 am   #3
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Default Re: Cleaning LOPTs with white spirit

Those of us who have spent time trying to find a chemical means of stripping enamel from wire have tended to find it is impervious to just about anything unless it is very very hot.

That said, I am one person who is far more concerned with functionality than appearance and, although it may do no harm, I wouldn't apply solvent to a LOPT just for aesthetics.

B
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Old 19th Jun 2017, 12:55 pm   #4
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Default Re: Cleaning LOPTs with white spirit

Thanks. I'll try to keep the cleaning to a minimum. I've had to clean the solder tags however to replace the perished EHT wires.

On a related note, does it matter which way round the heater wires on the EY51 are connected? Stupidly I've lost track of which was which after removing it.

Thanks

Liam
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Old 19th Jun 2017, 2:26 pm   #5
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Default Re: Cleaning LOPTs with white spirit

No it doesn't matter which way round they are on the EHT rectifier valve.

Make sure that you leave no sharp points on your soldered connections. Points in EHT systems can lead to corona and/or sparking.

Charles

Last edited by space_charged; 19th Jun 2017 at 2:33 pm. Reason: Added text.
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