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scottdb
Copper Member
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
 Posted - 09/23/2007 : 13:40:14
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Anyone recommend a good way of ensuring my very old pedals are clean and free from internal dust, ie via the input and output jacks?
My friend tells me to buy an electrical contact spray and aim it in the sockets, but don't want to risk anything.
Any tips on removing dust/dirt build up, would be great.
CHeers
Scott |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2007 : 15:06:39
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Hi scottdb & Guys
To clean the insides of my vintage compacts, & the ones that come to me for repair, or I find on EvilBay.
First I use a compressor with an oil & water filter, to blow off the exterior dust, a small brush also helps here.
Then I open up the pedal & blow off the internal dust, usually very little gets inside.
I then spray some Contact cleaner-lubricant
Fitted with the Pipette or straw, whatever you call it.
CRC brand CO Contact Cleaner or Electrolube 2-26,
onto a few cotton buds (ear cleaning buds) & use them to clean out the insides of the input & output sockets.
Don't be surprised if they come out looking black, on the first few cotton buds.
When the buds come out clean, I spray a TINY bit of the contact cleaner-lubricant, onto the rear of the sockets, & insert some old guitar plug, in & out a few times, make sure that the guitar plug is clean, wipe it with a new lint free cloth with some contact cleaner on it.
Then go back & insert a clean cotton bud, back into each socket to see if any more dirt has come loose.
Repeat till they are clean.
I wrote about this once before, but I always make sure I wipe the GIG GRIME & dust off my guitar leads after a gig.
either while I am packing up, if there is time, or when I get home, it helps a lot for the next gig as well.
Not to mention that it can be a positive way to come down(un-hype) - after a big gig,
Gigging muso's will know exactly what I mean.   
And it helps to minimize the long term damage, done by the dust & grime.
Remember Dust is the enemy of electronics.
Someone from the USA told me of a spray called DeOxit or something like that, but I can't seem to find it here in OZ.
Regards Dr. Bob |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2007 : 18:15:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
Someone from the USA told me of a spray called DeOxit or something like that, but I can't seem to find it here in OZ.
Regards Dr. Bob
I was going to mention DeOxit as well. It can be found at Radio Shack and other audio/visual stores I think.
Here's a link, and I believe they ship internationally:
http://store.caig.com/ |
Edited by - jack on 09/23/2007 18:18:20 |
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bosshog
Silver Member
Canada
493 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 03:40:36
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Dr.Bob,
Its funny that you can't get DeOxit anywhere in OZ cause I can't find vegimite anywhere in Canada.... |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 03:45:24
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Name brand doesn't matter, they both taste the same.
I find that WD-40 on a piece of cloth will move some stubborn crud on the exterior,and gives the paint some shine. |
Edited by - pedals 4 pv on 09/24/2007 03:53:09 |
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scottdb
Copper Member
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 12:57:40
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Great reply's from there, thank you.
My PN-2 seems to be the worst offender, lots of hiss when disengaged.
I'll get scrubbing, and let you know how it goes.
CHeers
Scott |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 15:05:25
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quote:
Originally posted by bosshog
Dr.Bob,
Its funny that you can't get DeOxit anywhere in OZ cause I can't find vegimite anywhere in Canada....
Hi bosshog
We should do an international trade...
I'll send you the Large jar of Vegemite, for a can or 2 of DeOxit...  
But then you will need the secret Aussie training:
on the correct use of Vegemite.
Lots-most people misuse it, they treat it like jam, & spread it way toooooo thick.
pedals 4 pv
I find that WD40 smells too much, but it's good if you can't get any of the other brands.
I picked the others for their Quality & reputation, as well as low odor.
Regards Dr. Bob
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 15:09:40
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quote:
Originally posted by pedals 4 pv
Name brand doesn't matter, they both taste the same.
I find that WD-40 on a piece of cloth will move some stubborn crud on the exterior,and gives the paint some shine.
Hi pedals 4 pv
Are you talking about Vegemite & Marmite
or are you talking about the taste of the various Contact cleaners. 
BTW, for everyones Info. & interest,
Vegemite & Marmite taste very different. (completely different)
Regards Dr. Bob |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 09/24/2007 15:11:24 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 15:26:28
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quote:
Originally posted by scottdb
Great reply's from there, thank you.
My PN-2 seems to be the worst offender, lots of hiss when disengaged.
I'll get scrubbing, and let you know how it goes.
CHeers
Scott
Hi scottdb
Check the input socket on your PN-2
The input sockets on most pedals are stereo, so that the ring connector on the socket, behind the tip on the plug, shorts the negative of the battery to ground, this is how they turn the power on, to most pedals.
So compact pedals switch the negative of the battery, unlike most other electronic devices that switch the positive.
Either method is usually acceptable in low voltage electronics.
They also short the tip to ground with another one of the connections on the stereo input socket, when the plug is removed, this is to minimize all pedal noise, and is common on the inputs of all types of amplifiers & pre-amps
But on your pedal, it may possibly be a bad or corroded or very dirty earth connection on either the input or output socket,
as you mention that it's only when the pedal is disengaged, - but the electronics have been switched on with the input plug.
It could also be nothing more than a shitty jumper-connection lead, that has a damaged or broken earth.
Try it out totally on it's own (PN-2), this will help you to debug the problem.
Hope this help..
Regards Dr. Bob |
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ronster
Gold Member
Australia
645 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 15:49:41
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Hey Dr Bob
Don't forget Promite! That tastes different again!!!
You know I live toasted Vegemite and cheese sandwiches. Almost as good as peanut butter and jelly/jam. Yum! |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2007 : 07:41:14
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| WD-40 smells better than Marmite Dr. Bob. And it's true, I've never tasted deoxit |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2007 : 13:03:20
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Ah good ol' WD40...great stuff...the only thing i don't use it on is my music gear....i'm a bit wary of putting an lubricant anywhere near my amps or pedals...there is a stuff you can get in maplins(an electronics store)here in dublin called 'servsol'..it's for cleaning pots and input/outputs etc..... i've always found it to be very good.... the docs advice about cleaning leads etc.... after a gig is good too...i've done a lot of gigs and some places can get a bit mad..i've had pints of beer and glasses dropped all over my stuff and after one time where i was unravelling the P.A. speaker leads and they were all sticky from stale beer etc....there was some tiny slivers of broken glass stuck to them that we didn't notice..i ended up with a few of them stuck in my fingers...not really the best way to start the night....... so now as the Dr Bob pointed out a wipe with a old towel or rag and coil them up neatly can save a hole load of hassle the next time.... |
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bosshog
Silver Member
Canada
493 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2007 : 15:21:13
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Dr. Bob,
I heard about that Aussie training. Taking young Shelias out onto a Pacific island and teaching them ways of the mite. It must be an honour for any family to have thier daughter chosen.
PS DeOxit is to be used under parental supervision only... |
Edited by - bosshog on 09/25/2007 15:22:11 |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2007 : 17:58:04
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| I only use WD-40 on the outside of a pedal on a rag just to clean any stubborn crud or price tag goo from the exterior. I use contact cleaner on electronic parts. MotoMaster! Available from Canadian Tire. Its a good as any, cheaper and you get Canadian Tire money with your change. |
Edited by - pedals 4 pv on 09/27/2007 03:20:05 |
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baddfingerz
Copper Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2007 : 22:49:15
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HEY!
Rid-Ox can be used by consumers w/out a license and I have treated all my electronics with it. It CLEANS while dissolving oxidation, prevents further oxidation and leaves a tiny bit of lube. This stuff actually IMPROVES ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY vs bare contacts!
Electro-mechanical wear-and-tear is reduced to virtually nil.
Now, I ain't got much dough and this stuff is expensive. If you spray it directly from the can (through a fine straw) like techs. do it won't last so long. Same with contact cleaner.
If I can get to jacks, sockets, pots, pins by hand then 91% isopropyl alcohol or even the common 70% is fine for flushing - just be sure to test any plastic or circuit boards to be sure it won't harm it. This is dirt cheap, evaporates fast and is NOT DESTROYING THE ENVIRONMENT or your nervous system.
The Rid-Ox is going to do the real cleaning anyway. For real corrosion
like in the Mackie board I've got dismantled or contacts that are visibly quite oxidated - dull w/ dark surface pits - I'll wire brush 'em first if they are real bad.
Then I jury rig a ball of the finest steel wool (#0000 or #00000 if you can find it) with small tools (needle-nose pliers,etc.) or whatever fits in there and scrub the contacts until they shine. Then simply vacuum and clean before doing the Rid-Ox.
Now, the real savings:
(1) Take the plastic insert out of the inside of a medicine bottle's cap, the dark-orange transparent kind that requires the 'safety-twist' to open.
(2) Put a hole in the cap just big enough to fit that straw in.
(3) Put the straw into the Rid-Ox can's nozzle
(4) While holding the cap down securely, blast a couple of shots of the chemical into the bottle. A little goes a long way.
(5) Replace the insert into the cap and twist it back onto the bottle.
This is nearly air-tight.
When your ready, just use a small paint brush or anything absorptive that fits your needs to apply it by hand. By tilting your work and using gravity you can even get into sealed switches and pots if you need to!
All this is, of course for players that don't have a problem opening up their pedals and what have you. Boss' are pretty simple even for the layperson. Also, take the same precautions necessary for protection from static-discharge with digital circuits that you would with computer boards. Anti-static wrist straps are fine.
My can of Rid-Ox has lasted me four years and I have treated everything in sight with it (do two applications.) 16 bucks for a small can (parts-express.com) may be no problemo for people w/ $.
It is definitely worth the price irregardless.
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scottdb
Copper Member
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2007 : 13:00:44
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Hey, thanks again to everyone, some great tips there.
All THe Best
Scott |
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Topic |
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Spray For Cleaning Input And Output Jacks?
