Has anyone ever replaced just the pots on the circuit board?

[Freebird]

I just acquired a 1980 LS-80. It has the circuit board. All four pots are scratchy. Does anyone have experience with replacing the pots but keeping the rest of the board intact?

 

[MIJvintage]

I just acquired a 1980 LS-80. ........ All four pots are scratchy.

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: ..................

 

[MrakS]

no, but have you tried just cleaning the pots? I had a pot on my goldstar that was noisy, and cut even out and i just sprayed loads of cleaner into it and it is now perfect. Definitely try this first.

 

[Freebird]

Okay - I came across an old post where someone sprayed WD40 into the little holes on the backside of the pots. I decided to try that, but instead of WD40 I used Pedro's Extra Dry spray lube. I used the skiny extention tube that came with the can (that fits into the nozzle) and cut the end of the tube to an angle so it would just fit into the pot hole and just sprayed a tiny amount into each hole. Instant quiet. Of course, I don't know how long it will stay quiet, but right now I am very happy.

 

[Cali Girl]

There is a special spray just for pots you can get from Stew-Mac but people say it's not really a good thing to spray some funky solution inside the electronics. Sometimes just by using the pots and working them they will clean themselves.

You can take pots off the circuit board, I've done it a few times. It's pretty delicate. First desolder the wires and connections. Then you want to liquify and wick away the solder on the three tabs of the pot that are holding it to the board. Use gravity to help you or a solder sponge or suction thingy if you have one. You can't do all three at once, just go slowly one at a time and then come back for another round. When it's 95% gone just start heating the remaining solder while gently working the pot free.

 

[marcusnieman]

Okay - I came across an old post where someone sprayed WD40 into the little holes on the backside of the pots. I decided to try that, but instead of WD40 I used Pedro's Extra Dry spray lube. I used the skiny extention tube that came with the can (that fits into the nozzle) and cut the end of the tube to an angle so it would just fit into the pot hole and just sprayed a tiny amount into each hole. Instant quiet. Of course, I don't know how long it will stay quiet, but right now I am very happy.

You want to use an evaporative electronics contact cleaner - that doesn't leave any gunky residue. Problem with lubes like WD40 is that they leave an oily residue that attracts dust, dirt, lint and the like. But if your rig is working for you, cool.....

 

[Freebird]

There is a special spray just for pots you can get from Stew-Mac but people say it's not really a good thing to spray some funky solution inside the electronics. Sometimes just by using the pots and working them they will clean themselves.

You can take pots off the circuit board, I've done it a few times. It's pretty delicate. First desolder the wires and connections. Then you want to liquify and wick away the solder on the three tabs of the pot that are holding it to the board. Use gravity to help you or a solder sponge or suction thingy if you have one. You can't do all three at once, just go slowly one at a time and then come back for another round. When it's 95% gone just start heating the remaining solder while gently working the pot free.

Thanks Cali Girl - I really appreciate your explanation on the pot replacement procedure. Truth be told, I expect my spray lube to be a temporary solution. But I'm living for the moment right now and I'm loving the quiet.

 

[JohnA]

You want to use an evaporative electronics contact cleaner - that doesn't leave any gunky residue. Problem with lubes like WD40 is that they leave an oily residue that attracts dust, dirt, lint and the like. But if your rig is working for you, cool.....

+1

 

[Guitar5986]

When I got my LS-80 the pots were scratchy as well. I opted to remove the circuit board altogether and put in new pots/caps. Much easier solution in the long run should you ever want to try different wirings or just change simple parts out.

 

[AlanN]

Okay - I came across an old post where someone sprayed WD40 into the little holes on the backside of the pots. I decided to try that, but instead of WD40 I used Pedro's Extra Dry spray lube. I used the skiny extention tube that came with the can (that fits into the nozzle) and cut the end of the tube to an angle so it would just fit into the pot hole and just sprayed a tiny amount into each hole. Instant quiet. Of course, I don't know how long it will stay quiet, but right now I am very happy.

No no no no no please DO NOT use WD40! It's an oil-based lubricant, not a switch cleaner - it's horrible for electronics, and terrible for your finished parts. It also acts as an electrical insulator because of the lubricating film left behind.

I know Marcus has mentioned this already but it really does need repeating as often as possible.

 

[Cali Girl]

When I got my LS-80 the pots were scratchy as well. I opted to remove the circuit board altogether and put in new pots/caps. Much easier solution in the long run should you ever want to try different wirings or just change simple parts out.

That is probably the best advice. It doesn't take much contact to melt that circuit board with the soldering iron