Cleaning Valve Sockets

delgwapo

Hey - just wondered if anyone had any advice on cleaning valve sockets?

I've got an old Peavey Classic 30 that needs some TLC (12AX7 & EL84).

I've been told to use a non-lubricating contact cleaner and to save my trusty can of Servisol Super 10 for pots & jack sockets etc. A lot of US forums recommend using Caig Deoxit D5 but can't seem to find a UK equivalent. Any recommendations?

martinw

I'd be surprised if that amp was old enough to have any significant tarnishing, so an electronic solvent cleaner (Servisol do one, should be available at Maplins etc), together with a bit of agitation (inny-outy with the valve).

If that doesn't work, you might have slack pins, or another problem.

thermionic

I think there's a market here for a little valve-shaped thing with pins covered in fine abrasive. Wiggle it in the socket once a year - bingo.

thermionic

Deoxit seems easily available over here btw, although it's not cheap.

ecc83

Been using WD-40 and its previous version CRC-40 "rocket fuel" for 45 years with no problems.

Dave.

Phil_aka_Pip

They guy who services my Hammond organ uses WD40 on the valve sockets. tbh, I'm surprised. Oil is an insulator, is it not, so why would you put it on pins that need to make a good contact? I'd use servisol ...

delgwapo

Yeah £25 a can for Deoxit is a bit nuts. I've just found WD-40 make a 'specialist' contact cleaner that leaves no residue so I might give that a blast.

Ianpdq

Phil_aka_Pip said:

They guy who services my Hammond organ uses WD40 on the valve sockets. tbh, I'm surprised. Oil is an insulator, is it not, so why would you put it on pins that need to make a good contact? I'd use servisol ...

That is what  I thought I use RS contact cleaner

johnnyurq

+1 on Deoxit, if it is good enough for NASA and all that jazz. You can get cheaper smaller bottles with a needle applicator which is great for accuracy.

ICBM

thermionic said:

I think there's a market here for a little valve-shaped thing with pins covered in fine abrasive. Wiggle it in the socket once a year - bingo.

Easy to make. Get a dead valve and rough up the pins with some sandpaper, making the scratches around the pins not up and down. You can use any 9-pin valve for both preamp and EL84 sockets.

I use Servisol to spray them, never had any trouble with it, or found the need to use anything more expensive.

Just because something is used by NASA or the US military proves nothing, other than someone found a way of getting the contract and sell the product to them for more than its market value .

Rocker

Deoxit is not cheap!  You can get it from Russ Andrews........

[cowering under computer desk with golf umbrella opened just in case........ ) ]

johnnyurq

No Servisol is fine and I use that too.

But the £25 bottle of Deoxit has outlasted a few tins of Servisol and looks like it will last a good few years.

For awkward and more important tasks it is pretty good, and the needle for my crap eyesight is a boon which saves on overspraying with an aerosol. 

Not into snake oil and silly claims either but was curious and tried it found it to be good so stuck with it.

But for workshop use it is a bit much and would get expensive after a while so Servisol wins there and is more than adequate for any job.

I got this as well on the strength of Deoxit and it is good and handy for a lot of jobs and again has a needle applicator for accuracy.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Deoxit-MechanicALL-penetrating-oil-100-25mL-/380703904004?pt=UK_Computing_Sound_Vision_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item58a3b89104

ecc83

Ianpdq said:

Phil_aka_Pip said:

They guy who services my Hammond organ uses WD40 on the valve sockets. tbh, I'm surprised. Oil is an insulator, is it not, so why would you put it on pins that need to make a good contact? I'd use servisol ...

That is what  I thought I use RS contact cleaner

So what about "Electrolube"? The standard pot and wavechange switchcleaner for 50 years plus.

How fluids work at the molecular level at a metal interface is nothing like their macroscopic properties.

Dave.

p90fool

ICBM said:

Just because something is used by NASA or the US military proves nothing, other than someone found a way of getting the contract and sell the product to them for more than its market value .

Exactly. NASA spent years developing a ballpoint pen which would write consistently in zero gravity.
The Russians just took pencils with them.

Mr_Foxen

Use a interdental toothbrush to clean small pin sockets.

57Deluxe

I have used Servisol 30... made sure was dry before powered back up and kept it off the tube glass/fingers!

Even though could not see any oxidation it made a difference...

HHwarner

Maplins version of Servisol works fine for me. They do a switch cleaner with lubricant and contact cleaner without. Cheap and works well

electronique

valve sockets can be a pain to clean. i use methylated spirits and a tooth pick brush. dip it in the spirit and gently work the holes. you will be amazed at the dirt that sticks to it. really dirty ones take a little longer but works a treat. iv wasted loads of money on contact cleaner in the past as it evaporated too quick. contact cleaner is great for switches and potentiometers. 

RiftAmps

I use Maplins own brand stuff, £8 a can I think.
Works just as good as Servisol but crucially it smells better 

ICBM

RiftAmps said:

I use Maplins own brand stuff, £8 a can I think.
Works just as good as Servisol but crucially it smells better 

I think it smells horrible! It’s an odd smell. I much prefer Servisol - it’s a classic oily smell like WD-40 or 3-In-1 .

The Maplin ‘label remover’ - which is an excellent general purpose strong cleaning solvent - is nice though, it smells of lemon skin.

DJH83004

WD40 actually do a fast drying contact cleaner, which is residue free I use that quite a lot if the sockets are in good condition and just need a clean.