Author Topic: How to clean Channel Routing Cards  (Read 14950 times)

marcmozart

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How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« on: November 12, 2013, 06:14:50 PM »
If you're getting unpleasant audio when you're pressing a button on the Routing Matrix, here's what to do:

1. Take out cards (attached with one screw, one damned screw BTW!)

2. Bath the routing cards in Isopropylalcohol. Leave them in the bath for a couple hours at least, in between take them out to press the switch repeatedly.

3. Take them out to let them dry.

4. Put them back into your channel. Done.


Works perfectly. I have never heard a routing switch that clean. Perfect.

PS: Notice the dirt in the alcohol after the bath. No wonder the switches were messy! I'm cleaning the Isopropylalcohol with a coffee-filter and re-use it.

« Last Edit: November 12, 2013, 09:46:48 PM by marcmozart »
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Matt Sartori

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2013, 08:13:05 PM »
Brilliant,
well done!

last time we did it with ultrasonic bath which is expensive and does not get to the bottom of the problem!
keep us posted how it goes in the next few months as I think you might need some lubricant spray to keep the contact smooth.

Mattia.

marcmozart

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2013, 09:49:19 PM »
Yes, we'll see. I'm staying away from lubricant spray. It's a dirt magnet. Will keep you posted though!

Brilliant,
well done!

last time we did it with ultrasonic bath which is expensive and does not get to the bottom of the problem!
keep us posted how it goes in the next few months as I think you might need some lubricant spray to keep the contact smooth.

Mattia.
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
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http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

Matt Sartori

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2013, 09:55:43 PM »
Yes, we'll see. I'm staying away from lubricant spray. It's a dirt magnet. Will keep you posted though!

Brilliant,
well done!

last time we did it with ultrasonic bath which is expensive and does not get to the bottom of the problem!
keep us posted how it goes in the next few months as I think you might need some lubricant spray to keep the contact smooth.

Mattia.


there is only one brand that I would always suggest:
Caig industries incarnated in the formerly known Progold G5

Mattia.

walrus

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2013, 11:09:21 PM »
I've found that Caig's Deoxit FaderLube also cleans switches really well.
Kevin.

waltzingbear

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2013, 06:24:02 PM »
the problem I have with Caig is that too much comes out at once.

I have been using Electrolube EML 200F for lubrication and am quite happy with it. It is a lubricant, and nothing else. Application can be done directly from the pressurized can as it comes out in a reasonable stream.

EML is also the recommended lube for the old neve boards. (OEM stock) You'll have to track it down if you want some, usually going to the distributor and buying a case.

see Geoff Tanners remarks
http://auroraaudio.net/ask-geoff/neve-2/tech-tips

Alan
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Matt Sartori

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2013, 11:49:41 PM »
the problem I have with Caig is that too much comes out at once.

I have been using Electrolube EML 200F for lubrication and am quite happy with it. It is a lubricant, and nothing else. Application can be done directly from the pressurized can as it comes out in a reasonable stream.

EML is also the recommended lube for the old neve boards. (OEM stock) You'll have to track it down if you want some, usually going to the distributor and buying a case.

see Geoff Tanners remarks
http://auroraaudio.net/ask-geoff/neve-2/tech-tips

Alan

I think it might be this one?
http://uk.farnell.com/electrolube/eml200f/contact-cleaner-200ml-aerosol/dp/279481?Ntt=EML+200

Mattia.

waltzingbear

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2013, 06:35:27 PM »
looks like it, not available in US thru Newark. The photo they use is not correct, but the one in the product data sheet is.

I have to order a case at a time thru the distributor.

Alan
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ULH

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2014, 09:45:32 AM »
Hi

We are having some issues with the channel routing switches as well. Its the Alps blue type. Marcmozart are you're switches still working great?

We have a small cheap ultrasonic bath and was wondering if it would be even more effective and/or faster using isopropanol in the ultrasonic bath. And do you know if it is ok to cover the entire 4 switch pcb in isopropanol?

Thanks in advance!

marcmozart

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2014, 01:34:07 PM »
So far the cleaned switches keep working great. But it's only been a few months so we'll have to wait and see.

It is totally OK to cover the entire PCB in Isopropanol. No problems so far.

Hi

We are having some issues with the channel routing switches as well. Its the Alps blue type. Marcmozart are you're switches still working great?

We have a small cheap ultrasonic bath and was wondering if it would be even more effective and/or faster using isopropanol in the ultrasonic bath. And do you know if it is ok to cover the entire 4 switch pcb in isopropanol?

Thanks in advance!
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Mix Engineer Blog
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ULH

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2014, 01:40:01 PM »
Ok. Thanks for the quick reply. Has anyone tried the combination of isopropanol in an ultrasonic bath?


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Matt Sartori

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2014, 04:08:50 PM »
bath if too agressive will damage the latch and make the switch useless.
isoprop is good but wont last very long.
we have done quite a lot of experiments here at funky junk and we found that washing the switches with warm water (while upside down) and rinse them various times completely cleans the crap in there.
after that let dry for a couple of days, spray some EML in it and you are done.

Mattia.

ULH

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2014, 08:39:15 PM »
Great. Do you use Distilled water or normal tap water? Is this the eml product: http://www.electrolube.com/products/contact-lubricants/122/22/. Thanks a lot. This forum is a fantastic resource of hi q ssl knowledge!



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ULH

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2014, 08:40:26 PM »
And how do you get the eml into the blue alps type switch?


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waltzingbear

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Re: How to clean Channel Routing Cards
« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2014, 09:06:56 PM »
I see they have changed the packaging again and I can't tell them apart anymore! I'll have to go actually read the side of my cans. Used to be "its the blue one" now they seem to all be red, sheessh.

Alan
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