[R-390] capacitor analysis

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

I'll echo exactly what Don has said, from first hand experience. The saying 'a
little goes a long way' is applicable here. What I've gone to doing even on
ceramic wafer switches is to take a paper towel or small cloth, wet one small
area with a burst od DeOixt red, then wipe the contacts until clean. If they're
in an inacessible area you're sometimes left with having to spary, but be very
careful to shield other areas. Always use the 'L' setting as it saves liquid and
prevents blasting everything in sight. As well, try making a swab by wrapping
the end of a long, narrow screwdriver or similar and proceed that way. Caig
offers swabs, but I have good luck using Q-Tips and making my own swabs, then
just spraying a bit on the ends. Same thing with paper for cleaning relays.

An order of supplies arrived last week and includes a can of CaiLube(blue can).
Unfortunately the rig I'm restoring has sealed pots, but I'll use it soon on
something else to get some idea how it compares to DeOxit for controls. CaiLube
says it's made specifically for moving contacts/controls, lubricates and cleans.

BTW, someone mentioned having the problem of a swelled wafer switch from DeOxit
and used a different chemical to remove it. Can't recall what it was - mineral
spirits? Acetone?

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ

Don and Diana Cunningham wrote:

> John,
> I don't post much on this reflector, just soak up the "wisdom", but be very
> careful "spraying" DeOxit all over things.  In my dealings with the older
> rigs, I use a syringe and pinpoint where I put DeOxit a drop at a time and
> have much better success.  DeOxit   WILL  swell phenolic (bakelite, whatever
> you call the material in most of the switch wafers) and ruin these
> switches!!!  The syringe also helps put just a drop in tube sockets, etc.
> Just an observation from experience.
> 73,
> Don, WB5HAK