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Post subject: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 10:39 am
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This is a clone of a Marshall Guv'nor.
I haven't used it in a few years.
Since I'm currently in a "purging" frame of mind I've been gathering up gear I never touch and photographing it so I can sell the stuff online.
I'm also photographing stuff I use all the time as well.
Kind of building a photo-catalogue.
While handling this one I noticed the pots were all really stiff to move.
Like really stiff.
Like I was kind of afraid I was going to break something if I turned it any more.
All the pots are stiff; one is almost immovable.
I've never encountered that situation before.
I'm hoping someone can help me understand what's going on and what I can do about it.
I should add that the unit has spent the past couple years in its original box, which was stored with other gear in a plastic semi-sealed storage bin inside the house.
It has not been exposed to a lot of dust or wild changes in humidity.
The humidity here is on the dry side of the spectrum.
If Vancouver/Seattle is 10 and the Mojave is 1, this place is about a 2 or 3.

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 11:33 am
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Remove the knobs from their shafts then spray the shafts with Caig's De-Oxit contact cleaner (or similar product). *Gently* spin each shaft from stop to stop several times and see if that loosens them up. Repeat as necessary until they spin freely. Then re-install the knobs.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 12:00 pm
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Thanks, Rog.

I take it this product is some kind of contact cleaner.
I have a generic contact cleaner already.
Wondering if there's a difference.
I'm always open to knowing about better products.

I'm looking at the web page now and there seems to be a number of versions of DeoxIT.
D Series
Gold G Series
Gold GxL
Shield S Series
Fader F Series

In the D Series, which seems to be the first one that pops up in searches, there appear to be two concentrations.
One is 5%, another is 100%.

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 1:26 pm
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I use Deoxit D5
Also MG Chemical contact cleaner with lubricant is very good.

BMW-KTM is right.
You must use cleaner with lubricant.
Spray inside the pot , from the back too


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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 4:09 pm
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I find the D, S, and F formulations to be most appropriate for guitar- and amp-related tasks. Don't forget that these products are also useful for switch contacts and input/output jacks.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 4:40 pm
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I did some reading up on the D series since I see people recommending it from time to time.
The D100 is 100% cleaner so I'm guessing it's pretty strong.
The D5 is 5% cleaner with added lubes and conditioners, presumably for our application(s) where the only gunk that accumulates comes from the pot itself.
The 100 makes no mention of such lubes or conditioners so I assume it's for connections exposed to atmosphere.
Prolly be good for your trailer lights connection at the back of the vehicle, where sand, salt and road grime get kicked up.
I tried sourcing the D5 here in town this afternoon with no success but it appears L&M stocks it and I'm going into the city in a few days anyway.

Thanks for your help, gentlemen.
Always a pleasure.

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 5:34 pm
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El gusto es mio, compa.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 3:20 pm
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Update:
I was in the city today and picked up some DeoxIT.
Pulled the knobs off the pedal and looked for a sleeve/bushing to aim into but found none.
Flipped the unit over and squirted into a small folded-cut opening in the body of one pot.
It made such a huge difference I couldn't believe it.
I mean I literally did not believe it.
Those pots were so freakishly stiff there was no way a squirt could have made that much difference that fast.
I tried all the other pots and lo and behold they were all free and smooth.
I didn't know what to make of it but felt relief that there was nothing seriously wrong, like needing to replace all 5 pots or something.
I began reassembling and after putting the first knob back on it went stiff again.
Really stiff.
Bingo.
There is the real problem.
After looking at it for a few seconds I could see the problem.
The threads are wider in diameter than the smooth part of the shaft and the hole in the knob fits the threads but after the set screw is snugged the knob moves concentrically and rubs on the threads.
I reinstalled all the knobs so the hole just barely grazes the threads and all is well.

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This old dog learned a new trick today.
I had never had to service a smooth shafted pot before.
Now I know.

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 3:30 pm
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Perhaps they're not the correct knobs for the amp......?

:shock:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 4:29 pm
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They're the knobs that came with it.
I think what happened was, I probably pulled the knobs to clean it up before storing it and installed them lower than the company did and just assumed it was OK without checking.
That sounds like something I would do during a major overhaul of my pedalboard when I'm anxious to get the old stuff put away and the board back up and running.

Maybe when I get some time I will put a 1/8' burr on the Dremel and widen the hole on the opposite side of the set screw so I can drop the knobs down without interference.

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 1:25 am
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Yes, a bigger knob may help to keep shafts clean.
A lubricant do miracle on stiff part.


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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 3:49 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Yes, a bigger knob may help to keep shafts clean.


The shafts were not dirty. The problem was that the knobs were inadvertently installed incorrectly.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 3:59 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
Yes, a bigger knob may help to keep shafts clean.


The shafts were not dirty. The problem was that the knobs were inadvertently installed incorrectly.

Arjay


Oh ! I understand now :lol:

Thank you .


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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 4:12 am
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I use Caig Fader Lube on switches and pots. It doesn't dissolve lubricants and carbon tracings. 5% spray or 100% drops. :mrgreen:

https://www.amazon.com/DeoxIT-F100L-L25 ... +faderlube


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Post subject: Re: Question about potentiometers
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 10:55 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
I use Caig Fader Lube on switches and pots. It doesn't dissolve lubricants and carbon tracings. 5% spray or 100% drops.


+1

It's also great for hi-fi gear such as graphic equalizers with slider controls.

Arjay

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