I have a set of model 2 Vandersteen speakers with a case of scratchy level pots. I have had them apart and the pots and crossover are totally sealed. Tried applying DeOxit to the controls from the backs and made no difference. All drivers are in great shape and so are the cabinets. They sound fine unless I try to set a mid or tweeter value at anything besides 0dB ( Which is where they have been set since 1986 ) . Should I just replace them?
The pots probably arent of any historical value, but i prefer to use fixed value resistors to avoid that entire issue.
Try drilling a small hole in the back of the pot then spray Deox directly into the pot internals using the extension nozzle. You've got nothing to lose.
What does "pots and crossover are totally sealed" mean?
You don't usually fix a potentiometer by pouring something into it,
you dismantle it first and then try to clean it with chemical or mechanical
means. If this doesn't work out, then replace with new ones.
actually, I have done it quite a few times, that is to drill the small opening to the closed pot...mainly in old preamps, not in speaker crossovers, but with small amount of deoxit spray, it always helped
(removing it from the board, especially if it was stereo with six legs, often eight, for shielding, and takeing it apart would be quite an undertaining)
(removing it from the board, especially if it was stereo with six legs, often eight, for shielding, and takeing it apart would be quite an undertaining)
Replace the Pot? No big deal imo.
Deoxit is Not something I would use to try and clean Any pot I wished to keep using 😉
Deoxit is Not something I would use to try and clean Any pot I wished to keep using 😉
I've used Deoxit to resurect many pots both wire wound and carbon over many years with great success. You don't need much. The problem is usually oxidization of the wiper arm and windings which Deoxit is very effective at removing. Like I said you've got nothing to lose and if it doesn't work replace the pot with a new one of the same value and power rating, but I reckon Deox will sort it.
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