How to clean a Victor?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by UndergroundVoid

theses 40 or so victors have all past their warranty age so opening isn't a problem but i notice this clear looking glue over the boards that have the metal fragments scattered near exposed connections.

I am guessing you have already removed the bottom cover and that is where you are seeing this clear glue. That is what holds the circuit board in place in the top cover. An expert would remove this glue with a razor blade or scalpel and then lift the circuit board out of the case before using a good vacuum to remove foreign objects on both sides of the board. Since this is something you likely wouldn't want to tackle I will suggest that you first remove the fan assy. then invert the Victor so that the top is down. Tap the case with your fingers to try and loosen any material which will fall into the top of the case. Then while still inverted apply the vacuum to all openings in the case, around the transistors, etc. Remember the vacuum does nothing if air can't flow around the components and into the vacuum. Repeat this procedure at least once, tap and vacuum. Then do the same procedure on the bottom. I think you will find that a fine dust may remain on either or both sides of the board. For this a swab dipped in alcohol is best, if you change swabs often. You can pull on the cotton end to elongate it and make it fit into tight places as needed. Now inspect both top and bottom with a bright light and magnifier. When you are satisfied it's clean, reassemble and test.
Most of the circuit board has a conformal coating to keep out moisture so the most vulnerable spots are around the MOSFET transistor pins. Check these areas very carefully. With practice you will get the hang of tapping and vacuum.

[DonRotolo]

Note that circuit boards like those in a Victor are water-resistant and can be cleaned in distilled water with no harm. Remove all of the plastic housing (and fan) and use a squirter bottle (like the kind athletes use for gatorade) to wash the board. A soft brush (like a kid's paintbrush) can be used to loosen dirt. Rinse again with distilled water, dry with paper towels and Q-tips (focus on the connectors and under components) and put it into a warm (150-200F, no more) oven to dry for an hour.

Some may be horrified at this suggestion - and they'd be right for certain types of components (like speakers and non-sealed switches), but Victors are OK for water contact - the one switch is sealed, and no other components are water-sensitive. The 'clear glue' coating the whole circuit board is the comformal coating that Al refers to.

Oh, be sure to use distilled water and not deionized water - any mineral residue left behind has the possibility of causing problems. And (duh!) don't power it up until it is dry - and even then leave it out for a day or three to make triple sure.

Don

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

Rinse again with distilled water, dry with paper towels and Q-tips (focus on the connectors and under components) and put it into a warm (150-200F, no more) oven to dry for an hour.

Don

If you choose this method, you can use your kitchen oven set at the lowest temperature possible. Crumple up some aluminum foil to hold the component above the oven rack. (only small bits of the aluminum will be in contact with the component so that the rack doesn't melt into the plastic housing) Leave the oven door cracked open while the component is inside. Most oven doors have a detent to keep the door open a few inches. Above all, don't go take a nap! Watch the piece frequently during the drying period. I leave the piece inside the oven and then turn it off. That way the cool down cycle is very slow. You can nap during this part. This technique has worked well for electronics dropped into lakes and rivers and toilets or left out in the rain. It may not fix a multielement lens with water between the elements but I have revived several cameras dropped into sinks at concerts or left on the top of a car during a rainstorm.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

so that the rack doesn't melt into the plastic housing

Ah, at that point there shouldn't be any plastic housing, it having been removed to get to the circuit board.

Victors come apart easily, pry off the bottom cover and the rest comes out with a gentle push from above.

The foil idea isn't bad, though, since the rack can get a bit too warm sometimes. I just set the over to the lowest temp, wait 15 minutes for it to warm up, turn it off and pop the boards into the over to dry (I do this for several different kinds of electronics) and can then ignore it for 2-3 hours. (Remember to take it out, though, before someone decides to preheat the oven for leftover pizza!)

Just remember, static builds up on dry surfaces, so discharge your charge on something metal before touching the board.

Don

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

Note that circuit boards like those in a Victor are water-resistant and can be cleaned in distilled water with no harm.

They were designed that way so they would be compatible with the water-based ga.... oops, sorry, we aren't supposed to say anything about that. Never mind.

-dave




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[Rich Kressly]

Originally Posted by dlavery

They were designed that way so they would be compatible with the water-based ga.... oops, sorry, we aren't supposed to say anything about that. Never mind.

-dave

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Don't listen to him
Ever ...
Well, when it come to this ... at least

[ATannahill]

Originally Posted by dlavery

They were designed that way so they would be compatible with the water-based ga.... oops, sorry, we aren't supposed to say anything about that. Never mind.

-dave




.

the switch is also water proof

[Lions for First]

Originally Posted by dlavery

They were designed that way so they would be compatible with the water-based ga.... oops, sorry, we aren't supposed to say anything about that. Never mind.

-dave




.

looks like the water game speculation will begin

[vivek16]

Originally Posted by Lions for First

looks like the water game speculation will begin

Did it ever end?

-Vivek

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by dlavery

the water-based ga.... oops, sorry, we aren't supposed to say anything about that. Never mind.

Evil. Pure evil.

(We ALL know it's water borne - water based would run off the first time it rained...)