Switch cleaners - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Ed_Dinning · 18th Feb 2010, 8:16 pm

Hi Gents, latest edition of Elektor has an article on the Kontackt range of switch cleaners and which one is most suitable for which application in radio and electronics

Ed

G8UWM-MildMartin · 20th Feb 2010, 3:46 am

Just noticed in the latest BVWS Bulletin issue that the BVWS spares dept. is stocking and recommending Caig De-Oxit, but I've been happy with Servisol Super 10 switch cleaner for about 30 years.
Has anyone compared the various types?

Michael Maurice · 20th Feb 2010, 10:49 am

Philips make their own which is actually very very good.

Damo666 · 20th Feb 2010, 3:51 pm

+1 When i've needed to use switch cleaner, i've always used Servisol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by G8UWM-MildMartin

Just noticed in the latest BVWS Bulletin issue that the BVWS spares dept. is stocking and recommending Caig De-Oxit, but I've been happy with Servisol Super 10 switch cleaner for about 30 years.
Has anyone compared the various types?

brunel · 20th Feb 2010, 6:28 pm

A lot O.T. but a vintage theme.

Murphy supplied a very good cleaner, but you might have to return to 1964,
when I last used it.

murphymad · 20th Feb 2010, 11:50 pm

Hi I have used Servisol 10 for many years and I still have a can of Philips contact cleaner here on the workshop shelf.

I find you need a lot of servisol 10 to get the required effect and loose a lot with overspray and splutter. Although not too much of a problem as it's cheap.

The Philips contact cleaner has a very nasty habit of staying wet for a long time after use. Oh boy does this cause havoc in the RF circuits...
I don't recommend it unless you are prepared to wait 30 minutes before switching on!
It also stays sticky around valve bases and is not cheap.

Although somewhat biased, I now only use Deoxit D5 on everything decent as it does everything it says on the tin and is fast drying with no remaining residue.
It is better than anything else I have ever used for this purpose, and my last can of it had a long 6 year life of careful use as you do not get that annoying sudden blast of the stuff which goes all over the place from the nozzel.
No it's definately not cheap, but cheaper from the BVWS than any other supplier I can find.
I know this as I negotiated the price down with the supplier.

Mike...

VideoJunkyard · 22nd Feb 2010, 6:15 pm

Best i ever used is the Philips own brand - desperate to get some more of that but can't find a supplier. In its absence i use Servisol 10 or ProPower PPC110 from CPC - they do the job OK.

Gonzini · 22nd Feb 2010, 11:14 pm

We use the Deoxit D5 and their fader lube, the blue coloured can.
Can't fault it, expensive but it does what it says it does. Guess good chemistry doesn't come cheap!
Also a brand called swish (dont think ive spelt that right..) not tryed that yet but heard very positive things about that one. Mainly for pots and faders that.
There's another contact cleaner that the aviation industry uses, can't remember the number now, have it written down at work. That's meant to be really good, but again expensive.
Don't touch Servisol these days after using Deoxit, doesn't come close imo.

yestertech · 22nd Feb 2010, 11:30 pm

I have to concur with the accolades afforded to DEOXIT - Absolutely great stuff and I would never use anything else - Not cheap, but that says it all ! ANDY

HamishBoxer · 23rd Feb 2010, 9:51 pm

Thanks to BVWS for bringing this to us and with out going ot all those caps at a good price.

David

Neil Purling · 25th Feb 2010, 10:01 am

I have just found the mention of DeoxIt D5 in the BVWS Spares Dept.
Problem is that I cannot get to a BVWS Event to buy a can of the stuff.
Being a pressurised item can Mr Terry even post them? I thought the answer would be 'No'.

HamishBoxer · 25th Feb 2010, 11:36 am

Its on ebay not much dearer

David

Neil Purling · 25th Feb 2010, 1:31 pm

I ended up buying on there, unfortunately. I would have rather bought from Mr Terry though.

HamishBoxer · 26th Feb 2010, 2:03 pm

Agreed, i also would rather support the BVWS.

David

DAVEHALL · 10th Mar 2010, 3:02 am

A word of caution on switch cleaners,though - we tried some on amp gain switches years ago - did a great job ,but also damaged the switch which just applied varying degrees of negative feedback - resulting in howling amps .

18th Feb 2010, 8:16 pm	#1
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Switch cleaners Hi Gents, latest edition of Elektor has an article on the Kontackt range of switch cleaners and which one is most suitable for which application in radio and electronics Ed

20th Feb 2010, 3:46 am	#2
G8UWM-MildMartin Heptode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 827	Re: Switch cleaners Just noticed in the latest BVWS Bulletin issue that the BVWS spares dept. is stocking and recommending Caig De-Oxit, but I've been happy with Servisol Super 10 switch cleaner for about 30 years. Has anyone compared the various types?

20th Feb 2010, 10:49 am	#3
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,225	Re: Switch cleaners Philips make their own which is actually very very good.

20th Feb 2010, 6:28 pm	#5
brunel Heptode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: LEEDS.......North of the River Aire. Posts: 872	Re: Switch cleaners A lot O.T. but a vintage theme. Murphy supplied a very good cleaner, but you might have to return to 1964, when I last used it.

20th Feb 2010, 11:50 pm	#6
murphymad Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Devizes, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 650	Re: Switch cleaners Hi I have used Servisol 10 for many years and I still have a can of Philips contact cleaner here on the workshop shelf. I find you need a lot of servisol 10 to get the required effect and loose a lot with overspray and splutter. Although not too much of a problem as it's cheap. The Philips contact cleaner has a very nasty habit of staying wet for a long time after use. Oh boy does this cause havoc in the RF circuits... I don't recommend it unless you are prepared to wait 30 minutes before switching on! It also stays sticky around valve bases and is not cheap. Although somewhat biased, I now only use Deoxit D5 on everything decent as it does everything it says on the tin and is fast drying with no remaining residue. It is better than anything else I have ever used for this purpose, and my last can of it had a long 6 year life of careful use as you do not get that annoying sudden blast of the stuff which goes all over the place from the nozzel. No it's definately not cheap, but cheaper from the BVWS than any other supplier I can find. I know this as I negotiated the price down with the supplier. Mike... __________________ Mike Barker.

22nd Feb 2010, 6:15 pm	#7
VideoJunkyard Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Birmingham. Posts: 182	Re: Switch cleaners Best i ever used is the Philips own brand - desperate to get some more of that but can't find a supplier. In its absence i use Servisol 10 or ProPower PPC110 from CPC - they do the job OK.

22nd Feb 2010, 11:14 pm	#8
Gonzini Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wickham, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 107	Re: Switch cleaners We use the Deoxit D5 and their fader lube, the blue coloured can. Can't fault it, expensive but it does what it says it does. Guess good chemistry doesn't come cheap! Also a brand called swish (dont think ive spelt that right..) not tryed that yet but heard very positive things about that one. Mainly for pots and faders that. There's another contact cleaner that the aviation industry uses, can't remember the number now, have it written down at work. That's meant to be really good, but again expensive. Don't touch Servisol these days after using Deoxit, doesn't come close imo.

22nd Feb 2010, 11:30 pm	#9
yestertech Nonode Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,135	Re: Switch cleaners I have to concur with the accolades afforded to DEOXIT - Absolutely great stuff and I would never use anything else - Not cheap, but that says it all ! ANDY

23rd Feb 2010, 9:51 pm	#10
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: Switch cleaners Thanks to BVWS for bringing this to us and with out going ot all those caps at a good price. David

25th Feb 2010, 10:01 am	#11
Neil Purling Nonode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,087	Re: Switch cleaners I have just found the mention of DeoxIt D5 in the BVWS Spares Dept. Problem is that I cannot get to a BVWS Event to buy a can of the stuff. Being a pressurised item can Mr Terry even post them? I thought the answer would be 'No'.

25th Feb 2010, 11:36 am	#12
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: Switch cleaners Its on ebay not much dearer David

25th Feb 2010, 1:31 pm	#13
Neil Purling Nonode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,087	Re: Switch cleaners I ended up buying on there, unfortunately. I would have rather bought from Mr Terry though.

26th Feb 2010, 2:03 pm	#14
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: Switch cleaners Agreed, i also would rather support the BVWS. David

10th Mar 2010, 3:02 am	#15
DAVEHALL Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Coventry, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 339	Re: Switch cleaners A word of caution on switch cleaners,though - we tried some on amp gain switches years ago - did a great job ,but also damaged the switch which just applied varying degrees of negative feedback - resulting in howling amps .