#40 ShopTalk - Wafer switch cleaning tips

[The Radio Shop]

#40 Shop Talk - Wafer switch cleaning tips


In this video we look at several types of wafer switches. We then look at a method I use to clean these switches and bring them back to life. These switches are in many types of equipment. Lets look at what  we can do to repair these.
SEE Notes Below.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9viOArsegIs

Remember when ever you soak Bakelite material you need to make sure it is completely dry before applying power to it.  Heat up with hot air to dry it out. If not it will arc over.

[RobertoLG]

Nice video, I'm surprised with the results, big thumbs up for you:)

[The Radio Shop]

Thanks for watching Roberto.
It is amazing what something so simple can do.

[saturn5tony]

Great video Buddy, yes marking the locations is so key to getting them back together and patience on top of all of that too.... haha    Thanks for sharing.

[The Radio Shop]

Thanks Tony. Some of these can have many wires on them. It can be a nightmare. Just have to take your time and get it done

[RobertoLG]

Thanks for watching Roberto.
It is amazing what something so simple can do.

hehe, don't need to thank me, you are doing the hard work
and about the ultrasound, it would be useful for more crusty stuff, amazing how clean it got with this simple formula, only cheap stuff you casn find anywere, really very good

[saturn5tony]

Hey Buddy,
Tried this method on some really old 28 pin integrated circuits, ...they look the same as wafer switches so I thought It would clean these ICS up just as good, before I put them into sockets. No good though, even tried for over a day or two and with distilled white vinegar and iodized salt! Just like you showed in the video, and cleaned it with dist water and baking soda.. no go.. it didnt even remove any of the dark black tarnish at all. Any recommendations for tin type IC leads or even the leads from old Diodes as well. I have hundreds of 1N4007's that look almost as black as the diode its self haha!! Would love to make them clean. What type of metal is on wafers?? is it silver? Odd that it didnt work.
-Tony

[The Radio Shop]

Very interesting Tony. There is no telling what type of oxidation is on these parts.  I have had a bundle of resistors like that. Everything I tried would not remove the black tarnish.  So when I use them I just use an razor knife to scrape the lead clean.  I have used brick acid in the past. Only putting the lead in the solution but I do not recommend this because of the dangers. Most leads are just a mild steel. Even the wafer switches. I do get gold and silver plated ones.

[saturn5tony]

Yes, good point about the resistors, Yea it must be the same. Yanno, the switches are meant for only connecting and not soldering, (except for the tabs) so leads like resistors, doides, chips, etc, must have a completely differant mix of alloys or something like that. I will defantly do your test on a switch like some I have. Thx buddy