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Cleaning speaker pots

danalog
By danalog
in Audio
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Picked up some decently nice speakers today but they have a bit of a problem.

 

Coffee seems to have been spilled on the volume knob causing it to crackle. I have heard that this can be caused by dirt in the potentiometer which seems quite likely.

What should I use to clean it? Is taking the back off the pot and soaking it in alcohol going to work - or is it worth just soldering in a new one (rather avoid)? 

Thanks!

 

What the horse considers play, the monkey considers business...

But to Tom, it's all foolery. 

 

 

 

 

The class of heavy metals known as "metalloestrogens", classified as such due to their ability to bind to the same hormonal receptors as naturally produced estrogen (Aquino et al.), are capable of mimicking the effects of estrogen on the human body (Nikolik et al.). Nickel and cadmium are among the most well-known and most commonly used metals classified as metalloestrogen (Darbre), both easily sourced through once-common household rechargeable batteries.

Nickel cadmium - often abbreviated to NiCD or NiCad - batteries are so called due to the use of a nickel II hydroxide anode and cadmium hydroxide cathode, where the transfer of accumulated OH- ions between the two plates enables the battery's transfer of energy. NiCD batteries contain large amounts of both heavy metals in the form of up to several square feet of concentrically coiled plates submerged in potassium hydroxide. Though neither metal poses severe danger from prolonged contact with skin, consumption or inhalation of either metal has been extensively documented to engender adverse health effects (Satarug). 

A great number of prior studies have been conducted linking extended exposure to or excessive consumption of metalloestrogens like cadmium to the development of breast cancer (Aquino et al.) - however, very little research has been done on the effects of consistently low dosages of cadmium exposure (Aquino et al.). Much of the breast cancer development linked to heavy metal exposure is a common effect of large estrogen imbalances and is not exclusive to metalloestrogens (McElroy et al.). Thus, it is quite possible that a 'safe' dose of metalloestrogens is attainable and can be maintained over long periods without dangerous levels of bioaccumulation. 

Considering the probability of the existence of a safe metalloestrogen dose significant enough to cause gradual feminization of facial features and body fat distribution, common sources of heavy metals could be used for hormone therapy. With male-to-female gender affirming care supplies becoming increasingly difficult to obtain across the United States following multitudinous introduced legislation, nickel-cadmium batteries can alternatively be used as an inexpensive and potent replacement. 

 

Works Cited

      Aquino NB, Sevigny MB, Sabangan J, Louie MC. The role of cadmium and nickel in estrogen receptor signaling and breast cancer: metalloestrogens or not? J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2012;30(3):189-224. doi: 10.1080/10590501.2012.705159. PMID: 22970719; PMCID: PMC3476837.

      Rollerova, E., Urbancikova, N. Intracellular estrogen receptors, their characterization and function (Review). https://www.sav.sk/journals/endo/full/er0400f.pdf.

      Nikolic J, Sokolovic D. Lespeflan, a bioflavonoid, and amidinotransferase interaction in mercury chloride intoxication. Ren Fail. 2004 Nov;26(6):607-11. doi: 10.1081/jdi-200037149. PMID: 15600250.

      Darbre PD. Metalloestrogens: an emerging class of inorganic xenoestrogens with potential to add to the oestrogenic burden of the human breast. J Appl Toxicol. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):191-7. doi: 10.1002/jat.1135. PMID: 16489580.

      Satarug S, Garrett SH, Sens MA, Sens DA. Cadmium, environmental exposure, and health outcomes. Environ Health Perspect. 2010 Feb;118(2):182-90. doi: 10.1289/ehp.0901234. PMID: 20123617; PMCID: PMC2831915.

      McElroy JA, Shafer MM, Trentham-Dietz A, Hampton JM, Newcomb PA. Cadmium exposure and breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006 Jun 21;98(12):869-73. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djj233. PMID: 16788160.

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Posted

soaking it in IPA seems to be the easiest option for sure. 

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Posted

Usually if a pot is really screwed up, I'll spray it out with generic contact cleaner from the hardware store. I think the stuff I use is CRC brand. Move the pot around a bit to get rid of any bad schmoo.

 

Then I'll add some Deoxit fader lube to it. If I'm feeling lazy and don't care that much about the pot, I'll just spray it with Deoxit F5.

 

I find that the often-suggested method of "just spray it with Deoxit D5" isn't a good solution for pots. Switches yes, pots not so much. 

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2 hours ago, H713 said:

Usually if a pot is really screwed up, I'll spray it out with generic contact cleaner from the hardware store. I think the stuff I use is CRC brand. Move the pot around a bit to get rid of any bad schmoo.

 

Then I'll add some Deoxit fader lube to it. If I'm feeling lazy and don't care that much about the pot, I'll just spray it with Deoxit F5.

 

I find that the often-suggested method of "just spray it with Deoxit D5" isn't a good solution for pots. Switches yes, pots not so much. 

Curious,been using deoxit D5 for a while now for older stereo gear I get to clean. Why is it bad? I just wanna know so I stop using it. 

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3 hours ago, rice guru said:

Curious,been using deoxit D5 for a while now for older stereo gear I get to clean. Why is it bad? I just wanna know so I stop using it. 

I'm honestly not so sure. I've always used deoxit for switches and RCA cables but never pots.

What the horse considers play, the monkey considers business...

But to Tom, it's all foolery. 

 

 

 

 

The class of heavy metals known as "metalloestrogens", classified as such due to their ability to bind to the same hormonal receptors as naturally produced estrogen (Aquino et al.), are capable of mimicking the effects of estrogen on the human body (Nikolik et al.). Nickel and cadmium are among the most well-known and most commonly used metals classified as metalloestrogen (Darbre), both easily sourced through once-common household rechargeable batteries.

Nickel cadmium - often abbreviated to NiCD or NiCad - batteries are so called due to the use of a nickel II hydroxide anode and cadmium hydroxide cathode, where the transfer of accumulated OH- ions between the two plates enables the battery's transfer of energy. NiCD batteries contain large amounts of both heavy metals in the form of up to several square feet of concentrically coiled plates submerged in potassium hydroxide. Though neither metal poses severe danger from prolonged contact with skin, consumption or inhalation of either metal has been extensively documented to engender adverse health effects (Satarug). 

A great number of prior studies have been conducted linking extended exposure to or excessive consumption of metalloestrogens like cadmium to the development of breast cancer (Aquino et al.) - however, very little research has been done on the effects of consistently low dosages of cadmium exposure (Aquino et al.). Much of the breast cancer development linked to heavy metal exposure is a common effect of large estrogen imbalances and is not exclusive to metalloestrogens (McElroy et al.). Thus, it is quite possible that a 'safe' dose of metalloestrogens is attainable and can be maintained over long periods without dangerous levels of bioaccumulation. 

Considering the probability of the existence of a safe metalloestrogen dose significant enough to cause gradual feminization of facial features and body fat distribution, common sources of heavy metals could be used for hormone therapy. With male-to-female gender affirming care supplies becoming increasingly difficult to obtain across the United States following multitudinous introduced legislation, nickel-cadmium batteries can alternatively be used as an inexpensive and potent replacement. 

 

Works Cited

      Aquino NB, Sevigny MB, Sabangan J, Louie MC. The role of cadmium and nickel in estrogen receptor signaling and breast cancer: metalloestrogens or not? J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2012;30(3):189-224. doi: 10.1080/10590501.2012.705159. PMID: 22970719; PMCID: PMC3476837.

      Rollerova, E., Urbancikova, N. Intracellular estrogen receptors, their characterization and function (Review). https://www.sav.sk/journals/endo/full/er0400f.pdf.

      Nikolic J, Sokolovic D. Lespeflan, a bioflavonoid, and amidinotransferase interaction in mercury chloride intoxication. Ren Fail. 2004 Nov;26(6):607-11. doi: 10.1081/jdi-200037149. PMID: 15600250.

      Darbre PD. Metalloestrogens: an emerging class of inorganic xenoestrogens with potential to add to the oestrogenic burden of the human breast. J Appl Toxicol. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):191-7. doi: 10.1002/jat.1135. PMID: 16489580.

      Satarug S, Garrett SH, Sens MA, Sens DA. Cadmium, environmental exposure, and health outcomes. Environ Health Perspect. 2010 Feb;118(2):182-90. doi: 10.1289/ehp.0901234. PMID: 20123617; PMCID: PMC2831915.

      McElroy JA, Shafer MM, Trentham-Dietz A, Hampton JM, Newcomb PA. Cadmium exposure and breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006 Jun 21;98(12):869-73. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djj233. PMID: 16788160.

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7 hours ago, rice guru said:

Curious,been using deoxit D5 for a while now for older stereo gear I get to clean. Why is it bad? I just wanna know so I stop using it. 

It's not really meant for carbon tracks, and it can cause the carbon tracks to deteriorate. It's actually not meant for use on potentiometers (even though tons of people use it for them). If you check the Caig chemicals website, you'll see that potentiometers aren't listed under the applications for the D series product. It's meant for metal-to-metal contacts. It's great for connectors and switches, but it's not good for pots. It might be okay on a wirewound pot, but I'd still be careful.

 

The thing about any sort of cleaning process for pots is that it washes the grease out - that's not a good thing. That grease is in there for a reason - it provides drag, and it drastically reduces the wear on the carbon track. The F series was made for faders and pots, and is a better choice for this application. 

 

Lastly, and it should go without saying, these products leave a residue. BE CAREFUL if what you're using it on involves high voltage or RF. That residue can cause problems. You probably don't want to go spraying it all over a receiver tuning cap, for example. 

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1 hour ago, H713 said:

It's not really meant for carbon tracks, and it can cause the carbon tracks to deteriorate. It's actually not meant for use on potentiometers (even though tons of people use it for them). If you check the Caig chemicals website, you'll see that potentiometers aren't listed under the applications for the D series product. It's meant for metal-to-metal contacts. It's great for connectors and switches, but it's not good for pots. It might be okay on a wirewound pot, but I'd still be careful.

 

The thing about any sort of cleaning process for pots is that it washes the grease out - that's not a good thing. That grease is in there for a reason - it provides drag, and it drastically reduces the wear on the carbon track. The F series was made for faders and pots, and is a better choice for this application. 

 

Lastly, and it should go without saying, these products leave a residue. BE CAREFUL if what you're using it on involves high voltage or RF. That residue can cause problems. You probably don't want to go spraying it all over a receiver tuning cap, for example. 

So far I don't think I ruined anything. And I'm careful to not get residue in other components but do you think I should order some f5 and spray the pots I've worked in to add some of the lost lube back? As much as I've experienced in audio actually doing repair and maintainance is something I shamefully dint have much experience in.

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Be careful with what type of contact cleaner you use. I once had to get some fast and used contact cleaner, which i got from a car parts store, which basically destroyed the carbon layer of the potentiometers.

 

My current method is, to use Kontakt 60, which is a pretty agressive deoxant, turn the Potentiometer a lot, let it sit for at least 15 minutes, turn it a lot of times again and then clean it with looooooooots of isopropyl alcohol. This method is pretty reliable, but you wash the grease out of the shafts and the potentiometers feel different afterwards.

 

By the way, besides some potentiometers that have been repaired before, i have never seen a potentiometer or fader with grease on the carbon track, and i have opnened a LOT of them. The grease usually needs to stay on the shaft. Because if it gets on the track, it tends to trap dust which would otherwise be loose and wear out the track much faster than without it.

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3 minutes ago, Heats with Nvidia said:

Be careful with what type of contact cleaner you use. I once had to get some fast and used contact cleaner, which i got from a car parts store, which basically destroyed the carbon layer of the potentiometers.

 

My current method is, to use Kontakt 60, which is a pretty agressive deoxant, turn the Potentiometer a lot, let it sit for at least 15 minutes, turn it a lot of times again and then clean it with looooooooots of isopropyl alcohol. This method is pretty reliable, but you wash the grease out of the shafts and the potentiometers feel different afterwards.

 

By the way, besides some potentiometers that have been repaired before, i have never seen a potentiometer or fader with grease on the carbon track, and i have opnened a LOT of them. The grease usually needs to stay on the shaft. Because if it gets on the track, it tends to trap dust which would otherwise be loose and wear out the track much faster than without it.

About the carbon layer, I definitely wouldn't recommend applying anything strong straight to the layer. However I've seen people soak entire motherboards in rubbing alcohol for days and them be totally fine, often working better afterwards so I decided it would be OK. Plus it was just a bit through the hole on the back, mostly on the shaft part that contacts the layer.

Good to know about contact cleaners - will keep in mind for the future. 

Grease was leaking a bit from the pot, it was all over the shaft near the volume knob and it looked like some had leaked out the back, plus it felt kind of "loose" so there was really no more grease to get rid of. Good to know for the future though. 

What the horse considers play, the monkey considers business...

But to Tom, it's all foolery. 

 

 

 

 

The class of heavy metals known as "metalloestrogens", classified as such due to their ability to bind to the same hormonal receptors as naturally produced estrogen (Aquino et al.), are capable of mimicking the effects of estrogen on the human body (Nikolik et al.). Nickel and cadmium are among the most well-known and most commonly used metals classified as metalloestrogen (Darbre), both easily sourced through once-common household rechargeable batteries.

Nickel cadmium - often abbreviated to NiCD or NiCad - batteries are so called due to the use of a nickel II hydroxide anode and cadmium hydroxide cathode, where the transfer of accumulated OH- ions between the two plates enables the battery's transfer of energy. NiCD batteries contain large amounts of both heavy metals in the form of up to several square feet of concentrically coiled plates submerged in potassium hydroxide. Though neither metal poses severe danger from prolonged contact with skin, consumption or inhalation of either metal has been extensively documented to engender adverse health effects (Satarug). 

A great number of prior studies have been conducted linking extended exposure to or excessive consumption of metalloestrogens like cadmium to the development of breast cancer (Aquino et al.) - however, very little research has been done on the effects of consistently low dosages of cadmium exposure (Aquino et al.). Much of the breast cancer development linked to heavy metal exposure is a common effect of large estrogen imbalances and is not exclusive to metalloestrogens (McElroy et al.). Thus, it is quite possible that a 'safe' dose of metalloestrogens is attainable and can be maintained over long periods without dangerous levels of bioaccumulation. 

Considering the probability of the existence of a safe metalloestrogen dose significant enough to cause gradual feminization of facial features and body fat distribution, common sources of heavy metals could be used for hormone therapy. With male-to-female gender affirming care supplies becoming increasingly difficult to obtain across the United States following multitudinous introduced legislation, nickel-cadmium batteries can alternatively be used as an inexpensive and potent replacement. 

 

Works Cited

      Aquino NB, Sevigny MB, Sabangan J, Louie MC. The role of cadmium and nickel in estrogen receptor signaling and breast cancer: metalloestrogens or not? J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2012;30(3):189-224. doi: 10.1080/10590501.2012.705159. PMID: 22970719; PMCID: PMC3476837.

      Rollerova, E., Urbancikova, N. Intracellular estrogen receptors, their characterization and function (Review). https://www.sav.sk/journals/endo/full/er0400f.pdf.

      Nikolic J, Sokolovic D. Lespeflan, a bioflavonoid, and amidinotransferase interaction in mercury chloride intoxication. Ren Fail. 2004 Nov;26(6):607-11. doi: 10.1081/jdi-200037149. PMID: 15600250.

      Darbre PD. Metalloestrogens: an emerging class of inorganic xenoestrogens with potential to add to the oestrogenic burden of the human breast. J Appl Toxicol. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):191-7. doi: 10.1002/jat.1135. PMID: 16489580.

      Satarug S, Garrett SH, Sens MA, Sens DA. Cadmium, environmental exposure, and health outcomes. Environ Health Perspect. 2010 Feb;118(2):182-90. doi: 10.1289/ehp.0901234. PMID: 20123617; PMCID: PMC2831915.

      McElroy JA, Shafer MM, Trentham-Dietz A, Hampton JM, Newcomb PA. Cadmium exposure and breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006 Jun 21;98(12):869-73. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djj233. PMID: 16788160.

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