[R-390] RF Deck, Module Washing (dishwasher)

[rbethman]

Tisha, and the group.

I haven't tried the dishwasher idea/method.  One reason is that it is 
pretty new, and I *REALLY* don't think my wife would be overly 
"enthused" with this idea.

I/We use dishwashing liquid.  There is also the wetting agent that is 
used in another reservoir.

I haven't wanted to trust these cleaners to a St. J's 1951 Contract 
Collins.  However, the ONLY part of this particular radio that I *might* 
have considered for this treatment, would have been the empty chassis.

I tossed out that as even useful when the riveted finger-stock on the 
chassis was corroded away.

I procured an empty chassis to replace the original.

Seriously, I would "second" your idea to *REMOVE* this from the manual!  
The dishwashers are significantly MORE aggressive than they "used" to 
be.  Not to mention what the wetting agent would do to things.

Bob - N0DGN

On 3/24/2011 2:33 PM, Tisha Hayes wrote:
> While reviewing the latest draft of the R-390A inspection process I found a
> few references to cleaning the RF deck in a dishwasher (Page 9, Section 4,
> activities 8,9). This brings up an interesting point for discussion and I
> wanted to share with the reflector on my experience with cleaning a radio in
> the dishwasher.
>
> <SNIP>


> The point I am trying to make is that a dishwasher is probably not the best
> way to wash radio modules or the RF deck. Any kind of detergent that is
> rated to run in a dishwasher (non foaming) is fairly aggressive. I do not
> think you can run Simple Green in a dishwasher, at least not MY dishwasher.
>
> Can other folks elaborate upon their attempts to clean modules in a
> dishwasher? (if you have tried it) What were your experiences?
>
> It is one thing to mess up an ARC-5 (that I have almost a dozen of),
> something completely different to put an RF deck or R-390/A module in there.
>
> Maybe it is best to stick with the Simple Green, parts brush, garden hose,
> followed with distilled water routine. If the dishwasher is a bad idea we
> may want to remove references to that technique from the R390A Inspection
> Process guide.