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Crackling in miniature paper tuning condensers from a transistor radio.
11/17/2000 11:34:52 AMSven Weil
Hi

I have two portable radios (one a Superadio II) and another is a Circle of Sound Zenith clock radio. Both of these radios are extremely dirty and i'm cleaning them up.

I've cleaned up the Zenith and have it working 98% except for one minor thing - the tuning condenser. It crackles like a dirty pot when you tune across the lower half of the AM and FM bands (more pronounced on the AM).

Since these little things are very difficult to repair (they're not like the open air capacitors where it's easy to bend back the plates properly if they're touching.

Could it be dirt and dust inside the capacitors or can it bent plates? Would a shot of volume-control cleaner spray clear out the nasties or will I have to replace the condensers? I bought two new ones just in case....thanks all!

11/18/2000 11:21:52 AMJohn McPherson
Hi,
Dirt or corrosion are the culprits. The area to look at is the area of rolling contact on the movable plates.

Tuner cleaner may work, you might also try applying just a drop of "Rail Zip" on those areas where you can get at that area of rolling contact.

: Hi

: I have two portable radios (one a Superadio II) and another is a Circle of Sound Zenith clock radio. Both of these radios are extremely dirty and i'm cleaning them up.

: I've cleaned up the Zenith and have it working 98% except for one minor thing - the tuning condenser. It crackles like a dirty pot when you tune across the lower half of the AM and FM bands (more pronounced on the AM).

: Since these little things are very difficult to repair (they're not like the open air capacitors where it's easy to bend back the plates properly if they're touching.

: Could it be dirt and dust inside the capacitors or can it bent plates? Would a shot of volume-control cleaner spray clear out the nasties or will I have to replace the condensers? I bought two new ones just in case....thanks all!

11/20/2000 1:00:39 PMSven Weil
Hi

What is rail-zip? And where can I get it?

Many thanks!

11/21/2000 11:57:07 AMJohn McPherson
Hi,
Any hobby shop that caters to model railroading should have some, It is a rail cleaning productthat will leave a thin oil film, clean up contact areas, and increase conductivity.
Otherwise online there are a few sources that have it at various times:
www.walthers.com
http://www.modeltool.com/
http://www.ttx-dcc.com/index.php3
http://www.fshobby.com/fshplist.htm
http://www.mag-web.com/rc-modeler/hobnew/price.html
http://www.pacertech.com/html/accesso.html


: Hi

: What is rail-zip? And where can I get it?

: Many thanks!



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