CAIG DeOxit  -  which formula to buy for oscopes and power supplies - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 11:48:41 pm
content: HiI have a Hitachi V-1050 oscope with really noisy vert switches. Also have a bad Power Designs power supply with dirty pots (among other things). So the first thing I will do with them is clean them out with air. And then clean the switches and pots. Many mentions of DeOxit BUT there are so many different formulas of DeOxit that it becomes very confusing on what formula to use.First question - unless someone tells me - I assume the vert and horizontal switches on the Hitachi are NOT gold, so I do not need the "gold formula". Right?Any suggestions on a contact cleaner formula and a pot cleaning formula that I can use on scopes and power supplies? Also some day I may get a Tek 465 - does it have gold contacts?thanks

author: dacman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 12:53:54 am
content: DeoxIT Gold is for new contacts (not just for Gold) or contacts fixed with DeoxIT (red). Then, DeoxIT Gold can be used for maintenance, as long as the contacts are already working (although it can help fix contacts, such as switches or connectors or wipers).I use LPS-1 for a lubricant (which is sometimes all that is needed), LPS PreSolve for tougher situations, DeoxIT (red) sparingly, Isopropyl Alcohol or Contact Cleaner Spray. (Note that spray can dislodge debris.) I sometimes use DeoxIT Gold after DeoxIT (red).For potentiometers, I would first try LPS PreSolve followed by LPS-1 (or just the LPS-1).For information on DeoxIT, check out the Caig website, which is where this link is from:http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.I/id.88/.f

author: kolonelkadat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 12:55:49 am
content: I always used the gold series on my guitars and amps. IIRC the gold series is still for copper/nickel/whatever switch contacts, it's just a less aggressive cleaner and more of a preventative maintenance type of deal than the d5 series is.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 03:30:44 am
content: Given the age, I'd opt to clean them with D (red), then apply G (gold) to protect them. BTW, forget the precious metal bit, it's the color of the liquid, and is meant for any metal. As per which way to buy it, that really depends on the devices (*).Personally, I opt for 100% liquid in bottles vs. spray cans or wipes. More cost effective that way IME (a tiny amount goes a long way). For a particularly nasty switch or pot, you can use a cheaper contact cleaner first, then apply Deoxit red (D100 or D5 if you prefer/require a spray can) followed by Gold, Shield, or Fader (whichever is most appropriate). Using liquid may mean tearing down switches & pots to access them.Various lint free swabs, brushes, and wipes are extremely handy with liquid applications, if not necessary (tiny dab on them & scrub surface; repeat until the swabs/cloths, ... come off clean).The following two documents might be of some help:CAIG Essentials Guide -DeoxIT® Products and more(covers the product line and basic usage)DeoxIT® - DIRECTIONS FOR USE(covers when & how you use liquid, spray, ...)Both links are direct .pdf downloads.* I would think those in the Hitachi would need little to zero teardown to access contact surfaces, and pots can be disassembled if you're careful.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 06:50:02 am
content: thanks alla lot to chew over