removing offending smells from old tektronix plastics? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 11:39:51 pm
content: I have a P6045 active probe in its original tektronix box. It is a bit yellowed but it smells... rather strange. My girlfriend gets mad at me when she smells it.She compares the smell a "formaldehyde soaked pig on a charcoal bbq", I just think it smells like "chemicals"same type as this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-P6045-FET-Probe-Package-015-03-with-case-power-COMPENSATING-HV-/360788736984?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5400af3bd8(lol mis listing)I tried the dishwasher. Is there a secret to this? I wanted to try alcohol but I am worried that it could make things brittle.***the probe on ebay is a high voltage probe. I have a active probe. it has no freon chemicals in it.I also thought baking the plastics at some non-melting temperature might work.

author: Tinkerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 11:43:29 pm
content: Well, this would be interesting to know.But if all else fails you could try coating the plastic in some sort of laquer or paint to cover it.(although that likely isnt an ideal solution)

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 11:47:19 pm
content: There was a thread here about the bad smell of some equipment, pretty sure there were some suggestions on what people have done about it

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 11:50:58 pm
content: You could try dipping it in a hot vinegar solution. The acid is a great degreaser/cleaner that leeches out smells.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 11:52:35 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on April 26, 2014, 11:47:19 pmMay have been this onehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/removing-smoke-smell-from-old-electronics/

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 11:57:31 pm
content: alright I could try leaving it in a pot of vinegar on a low bbq flame in a big pot for a while.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2014, 02:04:14 am
content: That's odd, I have a couple of P6045s, and they don't have any odor.

author: Sbampato12
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2014, 02:19:46 am
content: I once noticed a very bad smell on a tektronix old logic analizer, very bad smell. The equipment were 'stored' on a open shelf over a bench, with no strange material in contact or direct (maybe neither indirect) sunlight. It apears that the bad smell just pop off the unit.

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2014, 07:39:09 am
content: It reminds of pig heads being mis used in high school..but, I am also starting to suspect I was going after the wrong man. I am going to leave my probe out of the box over night and give it a sniff, I think the wiring is actually what smells. I took apart the probe and the power supply and gave it a good sniff, its not really doing it. The styrofoam still has a bit of smell but I think the wiring is what smells.Do you think its safe to put the whole unit in the dishwasher? I feel really uncomfortable using vinegar on the probe... I have put computer mother boards (and video cards) into the dishwasher with no ill effects prior.I really notice the smell on my hands after I handle the wiring... I think blaming the box is just wishful thinking. The power supply smells stronger too, if i stick my nose to the grill.Is it maybe safe to wash the +-12V psu in the dishwasher? I'm hesitant about the probe/amplifier.When I took the PSU apart the smell went away.. but after sitting on the table for a few min I stuck my nose into it and it smells funny. I have had similar taste/smells from pens exploding in my mouth (i'm a chewer).eh no guts no glory im going for it lol, i can't take this smell I keep thinking about little pig fetuses, ill power it from a nice low noise bench power supply if anything. the smell really sticks to your hands.... every time i bring my palm to my face.god damn ebay seller must have pulled it out of hitlers asshole or something, i don't negotiate with olfactory terrorism*once I had bought a ebay power supply that literately rubbed some kind of nasty ass tar on your hands when you handled it, I ended up taking it apart and leaving the housing in BBQ degreaser for a few days. you have to wonder if they are pulling this "NOS" shit out of a real life tar pit, I think it came from california too! i should check his ebay account for tyrannosaur bones

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2014, 08:12:43 am
content: Probably the BPA leaching out of the plastic. Try wiping it with a damp cloth and some hydrogen peroxide 5% and see if it takes any film off of the plastic cabling.

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2014, 08:19:17 am
content: Oh hydrogen peroxide.. I will try that on the expensive part.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2014, 12:00:44 pm
content: There is quite a lot of information on the web on restoring yellow plastic (mainly from old computers) using UV light and hydrogen peroxide e.g. :I don't know if this will do anything for the smell, but it might be worth trying.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2014, 01:58:45 pm
content: try kitty litterI read (and tried it myself, with some success) that if you bury your item in a 'mountain' of KL the smell will eventually be absorbed by it, transferred.febreeze (spray) also helps. I had some soldering items that I got on ebay recently and they smelled very bad (strong smokers, sigh). I sprayed the cords with febreeze a few times and let it air out. clean with strong kitchen cleaner but mostly just time and airflow (and sunlight) help get the smells out of the plastic. one hp power supply that came 'smokey' took at least 3 months of airing out before the smell was gone.wish ebay sellers would tell you about the item and its odors but many seem 'happy' to have you be surprised when you get it ;(