Switch on old stereo receiver

Sep 06, 2007 30 Replies

It sounds like the problem is not with the electrical contacts inside the switch (because the amplifier does turn on), but with the mechanical latch mechanism that implements push-on/push-off. And that's probably due to dried grease.

DeoxIT might actually work to clean the mechanical parts, but that's not what it's designed for (and it's pretty expensive). I'd clean the mechanical parts with something like naphtha (lighter fluid), then relubricate with grease after it had dried.

Dave

What kinda grease? Lithium grease (I got handy)?

I opened the case, did an inspection. The push-button with mehanical contact is soldered to a small board with speaker selection buttons and earphone jack. I couldn't even get the board fully loose.

The switch sez M7 TV-4 4A/64A250V.

I dunno ...

Thx, P

"Mit der Dummheit kaempfen Goetter selbst vergebens!" -Friedrich Schiller

White lithium grease is probably fine.

Dave

Hi, Lubriplate grease or spray(if it does not attack plastic housing) from electronics parts store like old radio shack(it's called Sosurce now up here in Canada). Think that push button toggle switch spring inside is getting old.

Perhaps, depending on what else if anything is in it...one of the specific-purposes dielectric greases would be more certain unless it mentions being a dielectric...

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There's more than one?

What I got is an ancient can of brown all-purpose grease and an aerosol can of all-purpose white (no mention of dielectric properties).

Suppose I need an all-purpose dielectric grease for everything from spark plugs to stereo switches, etc. Price/availability?

Thx, P

"Mit der Dummheit kaempfen Goetter selbst vergebens!" -Friedrich Schiller

There are a veritable plethora, but I was meaning in the sense of being specifically electrical-purpose dielectric just to be sure it didn't have an undesirable additive.

The bulk greases are readily available in small tubes quite inexpensively from any automotive supply. For your switch, you probably need aerosol and the contact types are available at Radio Shack or most any quality electronics supply -- the regular electrical supply places, probably, but sure to be at the electronics guys...

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I knew an old TV repairman who swore by WD-40 for cleaning tuners, and volume controls. Wonder if he's still alive?

Lubriplate is widely available and not expensive at all.

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One doesn't want to lubricate surfaces that transfer voltages, audio signals etc... Lubriplate is decent but not where contacts, wipers etc.. touch each other. I use White Lithium in an aerosol can with a tube applicator. It's been used for many years by the manufacturers.

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