[R-390] [KA9EGW] s/n 4214

[Roy Morgan]

On Sep 15, 2009, at 12:52 AM, 2002tii wrote:

> Brian wrote:
>
>> A number of people have advocated soap and water.  I'm a bit  
>> baffled...... I've always used liquid dish detergent -- I believe  
>> some
> folks on the list were singing the praises of "Simple Green"

R-390 washers,

Some points here:

The two most experienced Collins restorers I know use 50-50 409 and  
household ammonia with paint brushes and a squirt bottle, followed by  
lots of fresh water and then warmth to dry the radio.  Same for the  
modules, inside and out.

For the R-390's, remove all modules for cleaning separately, pull the  
slug racks and put tape over the slug holes.  The meters and  
everything else is pretty waterproof.

If your geartrain needs help, pull the RF deck, position it over a  
turkey roasting pan and squirt brake cleaner or diesel fuel or  
kerosene onto the gears.  Then do the wash above.

The Air Force prohibited Simple Green for use on aircraft because it  
caused corrosion of the aluminum parts.  Many fellows report good  
results if the thing is washed very well afterwards.  Of course the  
Air Force overhaul facilities have an approved aircraft cleaner that  
does not cause trouble, but we normal folks don't have access to that  
stuff.  (I have a copy of the simple green notice from the air  
maintenance newsletter if anyone needs to read it.)

I strongly recommend use of Caig CaiLube (was MCL - Moving Contact  
Cleaner) on carbon pots, and De-Oxit on switches (applied VERY  
sparingly) and on all connectors.

> ... Make sure you keep it warm enough for long enough that you
> evaporate ALL the water hiding in crevices and inside IF cans and
> suchlike, but don't get it hot enough to melt anything.

A couple of reflector flood lamps aimed at the chassis, with a modest  
air flow from a fan will dry the thing out if  you don't want to trust  
the kitchen oven on
WARM.

Happy cleaning!

Roy

Roy Morgan
k1lky at earthlink.net
529 Cobb St.
Groton NY, 13073
Home: 607-898-3607
Cell: 301-928-7794