Found Fix for Inop DVM Pushbuttons

[kevinahcc20]

I bought a B&K Precision 2834 True RMS DVM on Ebay at a very nice price ($29) that was working...but less than half of the function select buttons on the face (mode, range,etc.) were working, and those that did work required high force & long switch times. These are the matrix PCB switches and the switch mechanism has a conductive pad in a silicone rubber dome (under the switch button) that connects across a pair of contacts on a PCB. I tried cleaning the PCB contacts and conductive pads with minor temporary improvements.

After a lot of online searching I learned that Caig makes a product called Caikote 44, which is a conductive paint that is used to recoat the buttons. It cost $10 for a small vial that could cover 100's of pads (I had 20 to do on my DVM) & it worked beautifully. The switches make instantly with a light touch. If you have a similar problem give it a try!

[Mooly]

That's a great tip... I'm sure it would salvage many old remotes etc too

This has been around for many years too,
CHEMTRONICS|61923|50 USE RUBBER KEYPAD REPAIR KIT | CPC

I used it to fix an old treasured Betamax VCR remote.