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ranjam
Bronze Member
Canada
82 Posts |
 Posted - 04/10/2010 : 00:39:57
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This is weird. Lately I have had happen for some reason a control that worked fine, and still works fine, but has apparently lost its...... what's the word that has no sexual double entendre? The control still works, and the whole travel still seems to make a difference, but now it seems loose. Sometimes this does happen after I spray a potentiometer that was dirty, and sometimes it seemingly happens overnight to a perfectly good potentiometer.
Does anyone know what I mean? Is there a way to get that dampened feel to the control back? Where it took some effort to move the control before, now it takes no effort at all. It's almost like I am turning air. What the heck is happening? |
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nathanscribe
Silver Member
United Kingdom
376 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2010 : 00:48:10
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So your spindle has lost its rigidity, eh? A flaccid shaft is common enough on ageing, Double Entendres notwithstanding.
Seriously though, some controls seem to tighten as they get older, probably due to lubrication seizing up or wearing off, while others go loose, probably due to mechanical wear. I don't know if regular use keeps them working or wears them out... I've got stuff I've been using for twenty years without one clean or de-grime, and they work like new - other things that are almost new feel like they've been around twenty years... declining standards, moan, winge...
I don't know of any way to revive a sloppy pot to its former stiffness, but I know what you mean - it's good to feel a bit of resistance. A lot of mixer sliders these days feel too loose to me. even my old cheap Phonic mixer has decent-feeling sliders compared to some more expensive modern units. |
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'Loose' feeling potentiometers? Is there a cure?
