I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.

"Echinos" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.


EH, just how are you "cleaning" it? Trying some "tuner cleaner" shot into
both parts - would have been a good start. Good luck on getting it back
together and "working".

L.

Echinos wrote:

I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.


Good luck. Those were crappy when they were new. I saw bad pots on
units that were still under warranty, back in the '70s.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

L. wrote:
"Echinos" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.


EH, just how are you "cleaning" it? Trying some "tuner cleaner" shot into
both parts - would have been a good start. Good luck on getting it back
together and "working".

L.


I haven't cleaned it yet. I mentioned that I may try to get some
tomorrow. But, tuner cleaner was one of the things I have seen in other
posts on the topic that people have used, so I am considering using it.

"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...
Echinos wrote:

I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.


Good luck. Those were crappy when they were new. I saw bad pots on
units that were still under warranty, back in the '70s.


Nothing like good ole "Quality Control".

L.

"Echinos" wrote in message
oups.com...

I haven't cleaned it yet. I mentioned that I may try to get some
tomorrow. But, tuner cleaner was one of the things I have seen in other
posts on the topic that people have used, so I am considering using it.

Tuner cleaner is a lot safer than WD-40 or other nasty things. It's always
worth a try.

"L." wrote:

Nothing like good ole "Quality Control".


What really bugged me was that it was barely a watt per channel, yet
they were sold as 200 watts per channel. We bought ECG 102 transistors
by the case. We couldn't get enough replacements from
Morse/Electrophonic to get them out the door before the warranty
expired. Most of the time we just got a credit to use for non warranty
parts. I convinced the owner to drop them and Curtis Mathis when it was
time to renew the contracts. I was glad that we never sold them. I
used to pick them up for spare hardware at Renninger's in Mt. Dora, (a
local flea market), from another dealer for 25 cents each after they had
sat around for a few weeks.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

In article .com,
Echinos wrote:
I haven't cleaned it yet. I mentioned that I may try to get some
tomorrow. But, tuner cleaner was one of the things I have seen in other
posts on the topic that people have used, so I am considering using it.

Trouble with just cleaning it is the track will have a conductive grease.
So after cleaning this needs replacing. But unless it's an odd design it
shouldn't be difficult to find a replacement two gang pot with switch.

--
*If you remember the '60s, you weren't really there

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Echinos wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.


An improvement on the pencil graphite on worn potentiometer track trick.
For pots that are worn and it is not possible to replace or adjust the
sliders to an unworn part of track. Dismantle to expose the carbon track/s.
Make up a paste of one part silica gel to one part of powdered graphite
(from locksmiths / hardware stores for lock dry lubricant) into a paste and
smear onto the track and reassemble the pot.

More tips on the 2 tips files on my index file below

--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

Echinos wrote:
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.

I may have a replacement for you. Give the shaft dimension
requirements.

Bob

I think this may help
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/627/540.pdf

Or, you could, perhaps, just add an off-switch toggle power switch, to
the front or back panel. But as others have suggested, try tuner
cleaner first.

Google on "modular potentiometers"

Echinos wrote:
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.

"Echinos" wrote in message
ups.com...

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

That's actually a pot and a switch but since you say it is a stereo unit
there should be two ganged identical pots and a switch. The two pots may
look like one but there will be 6 terminals for the pots and two others for
the switch.

In tube days this was a very common unit - now, not so much. See if you can
find some local parts distributors who may still have a few in stock. If you
can get a 500K unit that should work as well.

Get some tuner and control cleaner from any electronics supplier. DO NOT use
anything like WD-40, or you will have to buy a new pot. The original will be
impossible to find. You may end up having to replace it with something else,
which may require cutting and filing the shaft to fit the original knob. If
the pot has any taps on it, then the job will get more complicated if you
cannot find an exact match in its electrical specifications.

I found that most of the time, simply cleaning the pot with the proper
cleaner will fix it for a long time.

--

JANA
_____


"Echinos" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.

JANA wrote:
Get some tuner and control cleaner from any electronics supplier. DO NOT use
anything like WD-40, or you will have to buy a new pot. The original will be
impossible to find. You may end up having to replace it with something else,
which may require cutting and filing the shaft to fit the original knob. If
the pot has any taps on it, then the job will get more complicated if you
cannot find an exact match in its electrical specifications.

I found that most of the time, simply cleaning the pot with the proper
cleaner will fix it for a long time.

--

JANA
_____


"Echinos" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.
Use sewing machine oil and a hypodermic, no disassembly required.

JANA wrote in message
...
Get some tuner and control cleaner from any electronics supplier. DO NOT
use
anything like WD-40, or you will have to buy a new pot. The original will
be
impossible to find. You may end up having to replace it with something
else,
which may require cutting and filing the shaft to fit the original knob.
If
the pot has any taps on it, then the job will get more complicated if you
cannot find an exact match in its electrical specifications.

I found that most of the time, simply cleaning the pot with the proper
cleaner will fix it for a long time.

--

JANA
_____


"Echinos" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.



You seem to come across totally different 'dirty' pots that I come across.
Years ago I realised it was a pointless , even fraudulent maybe, policy of
cleaning dirty/crackly pots. I always disassemble now and renovate or on the
rare occassion a replacement, rare because of always conflicting physical
variations. They nearly always have a worn out ring in the resistive track
that no amount of cleaning will sort out. The only exceptions seem to be
where the slider has disintegrated/bent which cleaning won't help anyway

--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

In article , "N Cook" wrote:
JANA wrote in message
...
Get some tuner and control cleaner from any electronics supplier. DO NOT
use
anything like WD-40, or you will have to buy a new pot. The original will
be
impossible to find. You may end up having to replace it with something
else,
which may require cutting and filing the shaft to fit the original knob.
If
the pot has any taps on it, then the job will get more complicated if you
cannot find an exact match in its electrical specifications.

I found that most of the time, simply cleaning the pot with the proper
cleaner will fix it for a long time.

--

JANA
_____


"Echinos" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.



You seem to come across totally different 'dirty' pots that I come across.
Years ago I realised it was a pointless , even fraudulent maybe, policy of
cleaning dirty/crackly pots. I always disassemble now and renovate or on the
rare occassion a replacement, rare because of always conflicting physical
variations. They nearly always have a worn out ring in the resistive track
that no amount of cleaning will sort out. The only exceptions seem to be
where the slider has disintegrated/bent which cleaning won't help anyway

Most pots I "clean" are able to work OK, at least for a while. I have drilled holes into
pots so I can inject. I have just let it sit on top and seep into.
While I lived on the desert, I noticed added problems with controls. I think its
the very fine sand, often found in piles on window sills. I rebuilt my car
twice and there is still sand to found in the innards. There is really
little to "clean" in pots, but that sand is a real varmin. I don't think
I ever saw a pot that had problems that I didn't try to spray. I actually
used WD-40 to a large degree longer ago. It was about the same time of
the sandstorm days when an Audio Magazine had a piece about WD-40 as
being a miracle cleaner. I guess I started to talk about WD-40 just because I
used to use it a lot. I like alcohol "cleaning" best, but you have to wait till the water evaporates.

Some pots just need replacing of fixing. Some pots just seem to
go on forever without problems.

greg

"GregS" wrote in message
...

While I lived on the desert, I noticed added problems with controls. I
think its
the very fine sand, often found in piles on window sills.

Try close to a beach where it is very fine sand and salt crystals!! It even
eats through CDs - chews them in a spiral pattern if not wrapped.

Exactly what dimensions are you asking for? Simple length and diameter?
It's a standard looking size, with a serrated end for the dial to go
on...

I can't measure it atm, but I'll do so tomorrow and put a link to a pic
for you.

Also, as was mentioned in another reply, it has 6 terminals, 3 on each
pot, on the front, as most pots do, and another two, one on each pot,
on the opposide side of the pot. Also, there are two terminals at the
bottom of the pot on the 3A one, which seems to be for the switch. I
don't know what the other two terminals are for. :/

this thing has 10 or more wires connected to it. They certainly didn't
have repair in mind when they put the thing together.

Bob wrote:
Echinos wrote:
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.

I may have a replacement for you. Give the shaft dimension
requirements.

Bob

Echinos wrote:
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.

Sir: Over the years I have worked on many mechanical volume control
pots. I have tried special cleaners that only seem to work for a
while. Finally I tried something new! I now use Silicon spray; I
spray into the opening at the back of the pot and twirl the knob back
and forth a couple of times. This has been the most effective way I
have found of cleaning these controls and it seems to last indefinitly.
The best way that I have clewaned them was when I took them aapart and
used the same silicon spray with a cuetip and also cleaned and
retensioned the wiper. But this is most tedious and difficult.
Good Luck

Echinos wrote:
I have an old Morse brand FM stereo / phonograph unit (model 74452 for
the extra-curious). The volume crackles horribly when I turn it up and
down. I have the pot half-disassembled and half-disconnected.

I am thinking that I can either clean it, or replace it. This is a 30+
year old stereo, so I would like to replace it, but it is a double-pot.
I've googled and such a bit, but I've not been encouraged with the
results. So, I'm back to cleaning it. I have gone through some past
posts, and it seems that while cleaning is an option, it is not
guaranteed to work for any significant period of time, if at all. I may
try to get some cleaner tomorrow, but I'd like to know what you may
think of the situation.

Details on the pot - It is labelled with the following:

Top Pot - VR-23J M 250Kohm AX2 SF J62X (or J82X, not sure)

Bottom Pot - 3A125VAC 1.5A250VAC

So, as you can see, the pot is double because the top is for volume and
the bottom is for power. It clicks when you turn it all the way CCW.
Also, one of the wires from the wall plug goes straight to one of the
terminals.

Basically, my question boils down to: Is there any hope of replacement,
or am I stuck with seeing if I can clean it?

I can post links to pictures if anyone wants a look.

Cheers.

"OldElecTech" wrote in message
ups.com...

Finally I tried something new! I now use Silicon spray

Which one?


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Echinos spake thus:

Also, as was mentioned in another reply, it has 6 terminals, 3 on each
pot, on the front, as most pots do, and another two, one on each pot,
on the opposide side of the pot. Also, there are two terminals at the
bottom of the pot on the 3A one, which seems to be for the switch. I
don't know what the other two terminals are for. :/

You may be SOL; those other 2 terminals on each pot might be (probably
are) taps, and the likelihood of finding a matching part, I would think,
is pretty much zip. Were there wires connected to those 2 terminals? If
not, you can use an ordinary pot.


--
Napoleon won the battle of Waterloo. The German Wehrmacht won World War
II. The United States won in Vietnam, and the Soviets in Afghanistan.
The Zealots won against the Romans, and Ehud Olmert won the Second
Lebanon War.

- Uri Avnery, Israeli peace activist
(http://counterpunch.org/avnery09022006.html)