|
Components and Circuits For discussions about component types, alternatives and availability, circuit configurations and modifications etc. Discussions here should be of a general nature and not about specific sets. |
|
Thread Tools |
27th Mar 2004, 7:45 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North London, UK.
Posts: 6,168
|
Lubricating variable resistors
What magic potions do you find effective on switches and pots? How do you get them inside some of the better sealed parts?
I've just bought a can of PTFE dry lubricant. It's absolutely magic on locks etc as it does not gum up or attract dust. I wonder if it would be any good on pots etc. |
27th Mar 2004, 7:55 pm | #2 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Fareham, Hants
Posts: 188
|
Re: Lubricating variable resistors
I normally go for Electrolube EML or Servisol Super10...but yes, getting inside some of the pots is tricky sometimes when there's no obvious hole to squirt in!
Steve J |
27th Mar 2004, 8:25 pm | #3 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 785
|
Re: Lubricating variable resistors
I also use Servisol although recently I've used Maplins own switch cleaner - seems to be just as effective although I haven't been using it for long enough to see if there are any longer term implications.
As for pots which are bad and are sealed - I tend to take them apart or if that is not practical I try to replace them with a pot that does have holes for applying cleaner. |
27th Mar 2004, 9:10 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 7,580
|
Re: Lubricating variable resistors
Hi all.
The best thing to use on pots and switches is a proprietry switch cleaner. I remember once, someone used an unknown brand of cleaner and it disolved the track in a pot! He thought it was all the dirt running out!. Another time he used it on a system switch in a dual standard TV and it went up like petrol. You should find that anything supplied by RS, Maplin, CPC or Farnel will be perfectly OK. You're right about some pots. The really good ones do not have any holes to squirt the stuff in and I've had to take a few to bits. So far I've not had to scrap a pot and always managed to re-assemble it OK. Rich.
__________________
There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman..... |
28th Mar 2004, 8:17 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,236
|
Re: Lubricating variable resistors
In my fairly limited experience I have found that just squirting in switch cleaner works for a short while, but the crackling soon returns. I have started to take the pots apart as a matter of course. As much of a problem as dirt seems to be that the spring that carries the wiper becomes loose and allows the wiper to lose contact with the track. This problem particularly affects those with a combined on/off switch, presumably because of the greater use they get.
Taking it apart allows for the careful re-tensioning of the spring. Probably many repairable original pots are replaced when the switch cleaner does not work. Paul
__________________
Paul |
30th Mar 2004, 3:15 pm | #6 | |
Pentode
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 131
|
Re: Lubricating variable resistors
Quote:
Gordon. Last edited by Paul Stenning; 29th Dec 2004 at 12:48 pm. |
|
30th Mar 2004, 4:30 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,310
|
Re: Lubricating variable resistors
Might be good for variable capacitors and tuning drive shafts,pulleys etc. though.
__________________
"Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly." |