EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Electronics => Beginners => Topic started by: vigsgb on March 10, 2014, 10:29:26 pm

Title: oscilloscope super crusty.
Post by: vigsgb on March 10, 2014, 10:29:26 pm

Got my oscilloscope today and it fires up but every knob and inside the unit is packed with crust.

Can I use any electrical cleaner and spray away at will?   

Title: Re: oscilloscope super crusty.
Post by: linux-works on March 10, 2014, 10:52:40 pm

careful teardown and cleaning is recommended.

I remove knobs (take note of what goes where) and wash them in the sink with the cleaner of your choice and hot water.  I use compressed air to blow off the water and make sure they dry well and don't rust.

you don't want to go at the thing like a gorilla ;)  I try to disassemble the front panel (if possible, on dmm meters its not hard, for example) and then I clean the whole panel once the pcb and insides have been removed.

de-oxit is the only spray I'll use (#5) when cleaning switches.  avoid no-name radio shack style stuff.

sometimes taking the thing outside and using compressed air is enough to clean the insides.