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2nd Apr 2021, 6:55 am | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK.
Posts: 7,633
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Sticking panel meter remedy.
I had a sticking panel meter, tried everything to unstick it. On about the 56th time I had it apart I noticed a white deposit on the permanent magnet or center block of metal that the meter movement sits on,and spins around. After trying to scrape it off with a bent bit of ali I fell back on that stalwart of home remedy's - vinegar.
I dripped vinegar down the appropriate parts after loosening the grub screw about 1/4 turn that sets the height and tension of the meter coil cradle. I really didn't give this much chance of working after trying scores of other remedy's, but after blowing it out with compressed air, behold,the clouds part, a ray of sunshine streams down, the needle moves freely. With a silly grin on my mush and once again believing in the benign nature of The God of Elektrickery all was good. Forgive the flowery prose, but it is good when you fix something after trying very hard previously. As this meter was one of a pair of identical meters, the alternative was searching for another two identical meters; rarer than hens teeth or costing loads of cash. BTW, I'd tried blowing it out with compressed air previously, numerous times. Sorry no pics, no endoscope cam, Andy.
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2nd Apr 2021, 7:28 am | #2 |
Nonode
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Resolfen, Wales; and Bristol, England
Posts: 2,588
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Re: Sticking panel meter remedy.
Excellent!
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Richard Index: recursive loop: see recursive loop |
2nd Apr 2021, 8:11 am | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Yorkshire, England.
Posts: 1,294
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Re: Sticking panel meter remedy.
Even if it doesn't work the first 55 times, a result is still a result!
Feel free to skip around the workshop.
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2nd Apr 2021, 8:20 am | #4 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 983
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Re: Sticking panel meter remedy.
Well done!
I had exactly same on one of those big American VU meters, it must be a calcium deposit gets lodged in there. |
2nd Apr 2021, 8:51 am | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Yorkshire, England.
Posts: 1,294
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Re: Sticking panel meter remedy.
Which begs the question, how does it get there? Is it airborne moisture?
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Regards, Ken. BVWS member |
6th Apr 2021, 11:41 am | #6 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK.
Posts: 7,633
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Re: Sticking panel meter remedy.
Quote:
Andy.
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6th Apr 2021, 3:05 pm | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 872
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Re: Sticking panel meter remedy.
Any particular type of vinegar - white, distilled, non-brewed condiment? I've used lemon juice of battery corroded terminals before now ......
well done anyway - I love a 'result' !!
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