Hi all bright DIY's!
Since i re-started my journey in hi-fi I've realized that there is a lot of good to very good old Hi-fi out there. And some of the better ones are only beaten by today more expensive topp-end products.
Way to often a nice piece of quality hi-fi find it's way to the junkyard because of small and simple things that a DIY would have manage to fix.
Usally 2 things bring the stuff to the junkyards.
1. Servicing are well over due and the sound starts failing/fading etc. And today's service cost get to high compared to the new crap at the electric outlets.
2. Some essential item's are no longer in production and are hard if not impossible to replace.
My intention with this thread is to save and make a knowledge base for (2) those essential product's no longer available. And (1) make rescue and servicing possible to a lot of hi-fi that deserves an even longer life 🙂
Since i re-started my journey in hi-fi I've realized that there is a lot of good to very good old Hi-fi out there. And some of the better ones are only beaten by today more expensive topp-end products.
Way to often a nice piece of quality hi-fi find it's way to the junkyard because of small and simple things that a DIY would have manage to fix.
Usally 2 things bring the stuff to the junkyards.
1. Servicing are well over due and the sound starts failing/fading etc. And today's service cost get to high compared to the new crap at the electric outlets.
2. Some essential item's are no longer in production and are hard if not impossible to replace.
My intention with this thread is to save and make a knowledge base for (2) those essential product's no longer available. And (1) make rescue and servicing possible to a lot of hi-fi that deserves an even longer life 🙂
First out...
Alps rotary/sliding selector switch, Alps 1-822-11 923L
Application: Sony TA-F xxx ES, speaker selector.
Function (CW): 1+2, OFF, 1, 2
Total impression of amp before restoration, a bit weak on power, thin bass and flat sounding. Low on dynamic/freq.band.
Fault: Speaker selector switch made cracking noise when engaged.
Fix: Unmounted and disassemble the switch. Parts where very dirty due to somebody prior to this tried to fix it with some elektro- cleaner- spray (this is a hazel, PLS don't spray things it only works for a short time and then make things worse). For metal parts I clean it out, and use a metal polish to get rid of any oxidation. Then clean of any chem. rests with ISO propanol to void bad contact.
For the plastic part's I just cleaned them.
- But how can we lube or preserve them better?
- Is it possible to treat metal (cu, al) parts for better contact and longer life?
Picture of disassemble switch,
Alps rotary/sliding selector switch, Alps 1-822-11 923L
Application: Sony TA-F xxx ES, speaker selector.
Function (CW): 1+2, OFF, 1, 2
Total impression of amp before restoration, a bit weak on power, thin bass and flat sounding. Low on dynamic/freq.band.
Fault: Speaker selector switch made cracking noise when engaged.
Fix: Unmounted and disassemble the switch. Parts where very dirty due to somebody prior to this tried to fix it with some elektro- cleaner- spray (this is a hazel, PLS don't spray things it only works for a short time and then make things worse). For metal parts I clean it out, and use a metal polish to get rid of any oxidation. Then clean of any chem. rests with ISO propanol to void bad contact.
For the plastic part's I just cleaned them.
- But how can we lube or preserve them better?
- Is it possible to treat metal (cu, al) parts for better contact and longer life?
Picture of disassemble switch,
Attachments
Yes, use a good quality contact grease. I use Electrolube SGB. Wonderful stuff for contacts and pots.
SGB200DR | Electrolube SGB 200 ml Contact Grease Aerosol for Contacts, Thermoplastics | RS Components
SGB200DR | Electrolube SGB 200 ml Contact Grease Aerosol for Contacts, Thermoplastics | RS Components
Thanks Jon!
Will order and try that one. Do you treat variable carbon resistors with it too?
Don't know what kind of aerosol been used on this amp but it has done more harm then good!
Here is one more Alps rotary selector for function's, making noise of course, was a bit oily on outside when I took it apart. Works perfect after a real cleaning.
Next is a carbon pot. that to sprayed to a greasy bad sounding control. Quiet narrow signal path on some, any risk for crosstalk here?
Will order and try that one. Do you treat variable carbon resistors with it too?
Don't know what kind of aerosol been used on this amp but it has done more harm then good!
Here is one more Alps rotary selector for function's, making noise of course, was a bit oily on outside when I took it apart. Works perfect after a real cleaning.
Next is a carbon pot. that to sprayed to a greasy bad sounding control. Quiet narrow signal path on some, any risk for crosstalk here?
Attachments
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same for me.
I use different types of cleaners / lubricants depending on the application.
mainly in the ranges of KF and Loctite products
I use different types of cleaners / lubricants depending on the application.
mainly in the ranges of KF and Loctite products
I like the old Philips Contact cleaner, but sometimes I use Molycote for lubing mechanical parts. Very thin sandpaper or steel wool also makes wonders.
I spend lot of time restoring 70s and 80s gear and I find the Deoxit line of products to be good. I am sure that there ar emany other alternative solutions, but that is what I have been using.
some of these old components can be really dirty, but one must be really careful with the method of cleaning. Most of the alps selector switches are silver or sometimes gold plated. Using any abrasive measures of cleaning could affect that thin layer of silver and actually make things worse. If cleaned correctly, the resistance should be almost non existent. For the silver plated contacts, they are bound to tarnish again, so an anti oxidant dielectric is recomended. I use Deoxit Feather lube. This is not an anti-oxidant, but it is very good at creating a long lasting protective layer that keeps moisture out and inherintely protects agains tarnish.
as far as crosstalk, grease based lubes do sometimes result in crosstalk. I have never had the issue after cleaning and applying Deoxit.
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