Solution to a Problem

heiney9

I had asked this question in another post. That post was rather long so I'll ask the question here again.

I just got a Nak Sr-3A which is now 19 yeras old. The input terminals are pretty oxidized. Any suggestions on what to use to clean them up. I'd prefer common houseold products as opposed to expensive audiophile "solutions".

Also any suggestions on cleaning all the rotary knobs. They are not terribily dirty but if I'm going to clean other parts I might as well do the whole thing right.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated

H9

phoneisbusy

Hi heiney9,

Deoxit and progold from Caig (www.caig.com) are well thought of. I just used deoxit to clean out the balance pot of a receiver. Cleared up the popping and crackling problem I was having.

It's not the cheapest contact cleaner but it's not crazy expensive either.

Just to clarify, are you looking to clean the grime/dust of the actually knobs or are you talking about cleaning the switches/pots?

regards

Dave

F1nut

Windex for exterior cleaning, otherwise follow the advice above.

heiney9

I'm looking to do both. I usually use Endust for Components(not the furniture polish) to clean the outer casing, display window and individual knobs. But I"ll look into Deoxit for cleaning the swithces and pots, assuming they aren't sealed like my Nak CA-5 preamp.

Thanks

H9

heiney9

Ok I got the top off my Nak Sr-3A and I'm starting to remove all the knobs and am planning to take the face plate off for better access to the pots/switches. What's the best way to lube those areas? Just squirt contact cleaner and toggle the switches around? This baby is dirty inside.! Is there any safe way to clean up some of the "grime" off the components and boards? Is compressed air safe to use to blow the dust bunnies out with?

One thing I noticed is there are 5 seperate fuses on the board with the caps and power cord connection, and they are soldered onto pins that stick out of the boards. So if a fuse ever goes it's going to be a job to replace it!

I knew I should have paid more attention in Electronics class during high school

Any suggestion; ideas; or advice are greatly appreciated.

H9

F1nut

Yes to the contact cleaner and yes to the compressed air.

heiney9

Thanks F1.

I know it seems common sense, but I just hate **** with stuff unless I'm absolutely sure what I'm doing.

The face plate was a **** to get off. I had to dis-assemble the LED display board and the tuner preset board with the memory swithces. It's never as straight forward as it looks.

I found 2 dead spiders lots of dust balls and an old candy wrapper and wadded up sticker inside the actual face plate. Now that the front is apart it's much easier to get to the switches and pots. Except of course the tone controls which are located under another series of boards in the lower chamber of the chasis. I don't plan on using them so I may not worry about them, except I hate to do things half-assed......I'm in there now and I should just get it done!

H9

F1nut

Originally posted by heiney9
I found 2 dead spiders lots of dust balls and an old candy wrapper and wadded up sticker inside the actual face plate.

LOL......makes one wonder about it's previous owner.

heiney9

I'm thinking there may have been more than one previous owner. The unit, especially the face plate, is in great condition. The face plate and knobs don't have a nick or scratch. Hopefully I can keep it that way:D . None of the previous owners ever thought to clean her out!

Yah, how did that candy wrapper get in there anyways

Airplay355

candy wrappers are great for stopping distortion or something

heiney9

Originally posted by Airplay355
candy wrappers are great for stopping distortion or something

LOL.....I believe some use them as sound/vibration dampers.

H9

phoneisbusy

Originally posted by heiney9
Ok I got the top off my Nak Sr-3A and I'm starting to remove all the knobs and am planning to take the face plate off for better access to the pots/switches. What's the best way to lube those areas? Just squirt contact cleaner and toggle the switches around? This baby is dirty inside.! Is there any safe way to clean up some of the "grime" off the components and boards? Is compressed air safe to use to blow the dust bunnies out with?

...

Any suggestion; ideas; or advice are greatly appreciated.

H9

Just a followup. Deoxit leaves a oily/conductive residue which is desireable inside a switch and pot but NOT on a circuit board. If you use contact cleaner on a circuit board, make sure the clean leaves no residue. I use isoprophyl (sp) alcohol to clean boards.

Squirt the contact cleaner into any gaps you can find. You may have to hunt for the openings and then work the switches and pots. You also may need to give some switches a couple of shots.

Other common sense things like unplug everything. Wear pants when you solder, etc...

regards

Dave

F1nut

Originally posted by phoneisbusy
Wear pants when you solder, etc...

LOL.....ask Doro about that one!

madmax

Don't try to remove the grime from the components or circuit board. Give it a quick light spray of air then leave it alone. Been there, done that, threw away the piece of equipment when finished.

madmax

heiney9

Originally posted by madmax
Don't try to remove the grime from the components or circuit board. Give it a quick light spray of air then leave it alone. Been there, done that, threw away the piece of equipment when finished.

madmax

Thanks madmax.......

I got it apart yetserday and haven't done anything yet. The more I look at it the more I was leaning towards just blowing the dust out and cleaning the contacts on the pots/switches; then putting it back together and leaving it alone. One seems to want to make things perfect again and in this case it's better to leave it alone.

H9

phoneisbusy

Originally posted by madmax
Don't try to remove the grime from the components or circuit board. Give it a quick light spray of air then leave it alone. Been there, done that, threw away the piece of equipment when finished.

madmax

I used an old toothbrush and alcohol to remove some corrosion on some wire jumpers and such. I let everything dry out and everything seems fine.

What happened in your case? I'd like to know so I don't repeat your mistake.

regards

Dave

heiney9

Thanks for all the input on the subject of cleaning electronic equipment. I went to Rat Shack and bought a Deoxit Kit, as Phoneisbusy suggested, and a can of compressed air. Damn that stuff is bit pricey, $22 later and the unit is clean and sounds great. Got it back together w/o incedence. Now since the money is spent it's time to do all my equiipment.

This ? is for Adcom owners. I've had the top off my amp before, a long time ago to clean out dust, etc. But recently I can't seem to find the right bit to use on the screws that hold the top on. They are either to small, to big or don't have enough splines to fit in the head. I know I'm not crazy, but what kind of bit can be used to remove the screws?

Thanks

H9

BlueMDPicker

phoneisbusy

Glad to hear everything turned out well.

regards

Dave