[Elecraft] Fw: KX3 encoder noise repair

[Richard Fjeld]

I will try this for the third time.


Mike, W5EEA, posted;

PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS FIX..unless you read this and think 'I have no
>> problem doing this'. There is every chance you will loose parts or make
>> things worse than they were (or may end up buying a new encoder).
>> I found the scrapping/scratching stopped if you invert the radio and
>> turned the knob.
>> If you remove the knob you can see a "C" clip on the shaft over a washer
>> resting on the body of the encoder. On mine the noise was coming from the
>> surface finish between the washer and the clip. The washer rotates a little
>> each turn and that is why the noise does not happen at the same spot in the
>> rotation of the knob. Remove the washer and clip, make them flat and polish
>> them, put them back on with a good silicone grease and it feels like a K3
>> VFO. If you think SM parts are small you will never see what needs to be
>> done to the washer and clip.

 
FWIW,  many years ago, I read that silicone was found to creep and widely spread onto surfaces, including CONTACTS.  I knew of one company that banned the use of silicone treated paper eyeglass cleaners on it's premises for that reason. 

Intermittent problems may be experienced that will be difficult to determine.  

If you Google 'silicone creep, silicone oil creep', or similar, you will get more information than you care to read.  I hope Elecraft doesn't use silicone.


Richard Fjeld, N0CE