[GreenKeys] GreenKeys Digest, Vol 89, Issue 14

[John Nagle]

On 6/9/2011 9:01 AM, greenkeys-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> If you're wondering how my KSR-33 became a biohazardous write off...
> well the sewer backed up, and turned my lovely, clean basement - and
> place I had the teletype - into a wonderful location full of... well
> what normally goes down the sewer. So, after stewing in wetness,
> and... ahem... for the weekend (because I was not at home on the
> weekend) the KSR-33 is now quite damaged beyond repair. Well, it could
> technically still be repaired if you want to completely strip it down
> to the bare parts and then soak it all in industrial solvent for a
> week; mostly because - again - the '33 was literally covered in...
> ahem... for two days, and the stuff is bloody*everywhere*.

    Once you've dealt with the basement cleanup, cleaning up the
machine is routine, although annoying.

    First step is a hose-down.  Ideally this should be done with
distilled or de-ionized water, but you can probably do a first
washdown with tap water.  Do this until you're getting clear
water out.  The electronics can survive this, although it's
not good for paper insulation.  (How much paper insulation
does a Model 33 have?  I vaguely recall some cardboard.
Is there any paper inside the motor?)  That may have to be
replaced later.  You may also lose the loudspeaker, if
you have a unit with a built-in modem.

    Before the tap water evaporates and leaves behind iron and
solids, wash with distilled or de-ionized water (any big
grocery store has it) mixed with some Simple Green.  Or,
if necessary, undiluted Simple Green.  Then
rinse with distilled or de-ionized water, and finally let
the thing dry completely.

    In electronics manufacturing, one of the last steps in board
manufacture, after assembly and soldering, is a pass through
a dishwasher-like unit.  Pure water is OK.  Detergents are
OK.  Water with iron content is not OK; it leaves behind
conductive rust streaks that short things out.

				John Nagle