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Volume knob cleaning

SmileySixguns

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2023
Messages
63
Location
Georgia
My Craig L-103 doesn't have smooth volume adjustments, meaning, the knob turns smoothly, but the volume doesn't gradually increase and decrease. It kinda fluctuates in volume level and there's scratchiness sounding while doing this. This CB hasn't been used regularly in 30 years, so I thought it might be possible to spray some electrical cleaning agent into the back of the variable resistor for that knob. Of course, I'd disconnect it from power first lol. Does this sound like it would help? What electrical cleaning agent would you recommend?
 

mmckenna

I ♥ Ø
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
25,033
Location
United States

So, yeah, unplug the radio, remove the top and -carefully- spray a bit of this into the holes on the volume pot. Rotate the knob back and forth fully a few times, then spray in a bit more.

Don't go in blasting the stuff all over the place, it can get into places you don't want it (like inside the meter).

Plug it back and in give it a go, see if that solves it.
 

prcguy

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Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
16,213
Location
So Cal - Richardson, TX - Tewksbury, MA
Here is the product I use for control cleaning, with the same general guidelines given for the CRC product.

Yes, Deoxit D5 is the industry standard for cleaning and lubricating switch contacts and pots. If the pot carbon ring is exposed it’s beneficial to first clean it with CRC mentioned above or I like the very safe and inert electronic cleaner spray sold at Home Depot, then apply a little Deoxit to improve conductivity and lubricate.
 

ramal121

Lots and lots of watts
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Dec 5, 2008
Messages
2,192
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Calif Whine Country
Deoxit also makes the F5. That is the one with lubricant for volume pots. Messy but keeps controls smooth for a long time.
 

SmileySixguns

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2023
Messages
63
Location
Georgia
IMG_2197.jpegI happened to have about 1/4 can of that Deoxit 5 left that a friend gave me. I detached the pot from the faceplate so I could get in there better. Gonna try it out here shortly and see how it did
 

SmileySixguns

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2023
Messages
63
Location
Georgia
I put it all back together and it worked very well! The only thing I know I still have to fix on that radio is the meter. Slowly but surely it’s improving.

The coolest part though, is that while I was working on it, a friend of mine stopped by. He was a truck driver for many years. As soon as he saw what I was doing he said, “I’ve got about 3 Cobras at the house and some antennas. I need to get one of them out and put it on the car”.
 

slowmover

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Aug 4, 2020
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Fort Worth
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