Noise when turning dials

[mjzee]

I currently have two pieces of audio equipment (a receiver and a CD-recorder) where, when a knob is turned (the volume knob on the receiver, and the recording level knob on the CD-recorder), a lot of noise and static is heard through the speakers. There's also intermittent static and dropout on the channels even when the knobs are left alone. Are these situations that can be corrected by mere cleaning (and if so, how to perform the cleaning?), or do they indicate something's broke and needs to be replaced?

Thanks in advance.

[Chuck Nessa]

  mjzee said:

I currently have two pieces of audio equipment (a receiver and a CD-recorder) where, when a knob is turned (the volume knob on the receiver, and the recording level knob on the CD-recorder), a lot of noise and static is heard through the speakers. There's also intermittent static and dropout on the channels even when the knobs are left alone. Are these situations that can be corrected by mere cleaning (and if so, how to perform the cleaning?), or do they indicate something's broke and needs to be replaced?

Thanks in advance.

Probably 2 problems. The knob noise can be answered by any of the radio guys on board. Used to be a spray, but not sure it hasn't been banned for atmospheric reason.

[porcy62]

  Chuck Nessa said:

  mjzee said:

I currently have two pieces of audio equipment (a receiver and a CD-recorder) where, when a knob is turned (the volume knob on the receiver, and the recording level knob on the CD-recorder), a lot of noise and static is heard through the speakers. There's also intermittent static and dropout on the channels even when the knobs are left alone. Are these situations that can be corrected by mere cleaning (and if so, how to perform the cleaning?), or do they indicate something's broke and needs to be replaced?

Thanks in advance.

Probably 2 problems. The knob noise can be answered by any of the radio guys on board. Used to be a spray, but not sure it hasn't been banned for atmospheric reason.

Usually dust does it.

I don't know your gears, but I use compressed air, after detaching all covers around the knob.

[Christiern]

The spray worked in the old days, but I have had good results with compressed air.

[mjzee]

Just tried compressed air, didn't work.

[Steve Gray]

Sounds like a job for switch cleaner

This is what we would buy in the UK

Maplin

Just google for 'switch cleaner' or 'switch cleaning lubricant'

Edited March 28, 2008 by Steve Gray

[porcy62]

  Steve Gray said:

Sounds like a job for switch cleaner

This is what we would buy in the UK

Maplin

Just google for 'switch cleaner' or 'switch cleaning lubricant'

Yep, it sounds ok, but be careful and frugal in the use. My experience with this kind of stuff is that they could left a oily residue. We are not talking of a transmission chain of a motorbike.

[Jim Alfredson]

http://www.deoxit.com/

Should be able to get it at any electronics supply company either real or virtual.

[Jim Alfredson]

I should be more specific: Get the one for potentiometers.

http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.293/.f

[rostasi]

  mjzee said:

Just tried compressed air, didn't work.

Just to be sure...When you use compressed air,

turn off everything and after each spray, work the pots from the lowest to the highest -

slightly vigorously. This may have to be done nearly a dozen times with a few sprays each time.

If you've already done this, then, yes, the next step that these guys have mentioned should be taken.

I get noise while turning dials, but that's usually on purpose.

[Shawn]

  Jim Alfredson said:

I should be more specific: Get the one for potentiometers.

I always love telling people they have dirty pots.

[mjzee]

  Jim Alfredson said:

I should be more specific: Get the one for potentiometers.

http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.293/.f

Thanks, Jim. I called up the web page you mentioned. None of them mention potentiometers, and all look similar but a little different. Would the first one mentioned (#F5MS-15) be sufficient? Or maybe the one that's just $4.95 (#F100L-L2C)?

[Jim Alfredson]

Faders = potentiometers.

[mjzee]

Very cool. I'll order some today. Thanks to all for your input.

[mjzee]

I want to thank you guys. I ordered, from the Caig website, their Audio/Video Survival Kit (see here), which has FaderLube, cleaner, and all sorts of other stuff (I couldn't just order FaderLube because they have a $25 minimum order). The fader (sorry, potentiometer) is now completely silent. It's a wonderful thing.

[jazzhound]

  mjzee said:

I want to thank you guys. I ordered, from the Caig website, their Audio/Video Survival Kit (see here), which has FaderLube, cleaner, and all sorts of other stuff (I couldn't just order FaderLube because they have a $25 minimum order). The fader (sorry, potentiometer) is now completely silent. It's a wonderful thing.

a tv repair guy told me WD-40 does the job as well as anything. too chicken to try it though.

[Jim Alfredson]

WD-40 would probably work for mechanical switches, like the ones that used to be in old TVs (those old rotary channel selectors), but I would not use it on a potentiometer or fader.