I've got a ten year old Rockford T8004 car amp, and I'm finding that the female RCA input connectors seem to have started intermittently cut out. More and more frequently, I find myself noticing that the speaker is either not producing sound, or have really poor frequency response, then when I pull out the RCA connector plugged into the amp and reseat it, it all works fine. I try to spin them around a bit to rub off any oxidation. For a while, then the whole process repeats. It used to be years between this happening, now it's weeks.
I'm guessing that the metal sleeve that contacts the center pin has simply gotten larger and larger over time, to the point where it's now not making good enough contact. I'm using good Canare self-terminated RCAs with gold plating. They used to be really tight when installed 10 years ago but now they are loose.
I'm going to replace the Canare RCA cables that plug into the amp right now, but I was curious if anyone has suggestions for a tool or procedure that might shrink the center sleeve of the female RCA so that it makes good contact again? Or should I try rolling up sandpaper to try to remove oxidation? I'd rather not bother trying to solder new RCA's on the amp.
Just curious what others do to fix old loose or oxidized RCA connectors.
I'm guessing that the metal sleeve that contacts the center pin has simply gotten larger and larger over time, to the point where it's now not making good enough contact. I'm using good Canare self-terminated RCAs with gold plating. They used to be really tight when installed 10 years ago but now they are loose.
I'm going to replace the Canare RCA cables that plug into the amp right now, but I was curious if anyone has suggestions for a tool or procedure that might shrink the center sleeve of the female RCA so that it makes good contact again? Or should I try rolling up sandpaper to try to remove oxidation? I'd rather not bother trying to solder new RCA's on the amp.
Just curious what others do to fix old loose or oxidized RCA connectors.
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Don't waste your time and patience, just replace those old RCA sockets. Use the same brand as the RCA plugs, though.
There are two problems with these jacks. The shield bell can break loose from the frame and produce an intermittent connection. The solution is to solder the bell to the frame. You'll need to scuff both with fine abrasive. Heat the frame until solder will flow on the frame then heat the bell. If you have flux (non-corrosive), use it. It will help the solder flow.
The center conductor can be tightened from behind. The attached image shows how the split center conductor looks from behind (different jack, same design). You'll bend the two side if where it's split down.
The center conductor can be tightened from behind. The attached image shows how the split center conductor looks from behind (different jack, same design). You'll bend the two side if where it's split down.
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