Row-Ami R86 Volume Problems

[William]

I have a Row-Ami R86 which has worked extremely well for years but am now having problems with the volume control.  When I turn the volume up or down at the back of the machine the sound is loud then quiet, never stays at one level.  Can I buy a new/second hand part for this and where from, or is there a way this can be fixed.  The part number as far as I can make out is Alpha 3E.  Thanks for any help.

[Megaoldman]

There is a product called Control cleaner or Tuner cleaner and you spray it inside the volume control button and turn the button back and forth several times and this should solve the problem. When I say inside I mean inside and not just on the button. Look you will find a hole somewhere on the button. Dirt and nicotine cause all kinds of problems with buttons and switches. You can get this from most electronic stores.

[Jim L]

Just a note of caution: those contact cleaners have a very low flash point. Make sure to let everything dry for a few minutes before putting the parts back into service. I watched a guy spray some contact cleaner into the motor of a power saw one time and didn't let it dry. He pulled the trigger and wound up with a ball of blue flame in his face and lost most of his eyebrows! He was lucky he didn't lose more than that!

Jim

[ed12]

HUH ?
contact cleaner is  inert  ie can not flash

Just a note of caution: those contact cleaners have a very low flash point. Make sure to let everything dry for a few minutes before putting the parts back into service. I watched a guy spray some contact cleaner into the motor of a power saw one time and didn't let it dry. He pulled the trigger and wound up with a ball of blue flame in his face and lost most of his eyebrows! He was lucky he didn't lose more than that!

Jim

HUH

ed

[Jim L]

Ed......you're right. Sorry 'bout that. I do remember that blue fireball though, and he did have contact cleaner on the table. He must have also sprayed something else in there too! Well, like I always say, "better safe than sorry"....and always read the warning labels for any chemicals that you're using.

Jim

[ed12]

ya wd40 will flash
i tend to do the read label thing also
also as a rule i use lps which has a no flash point
even there tkx product has a flash point of 175f 79c
i tend to stay away from any laquer thinner based cleaner's
there nasty and will flash before u know it

point in case is a pinball machine a person here said they could fix with
some cleaner...i read the label..>thk-god< i can read
booked out and he called me a few day's latter and no eye-brows
all i could say is i told u not to use it

ed

[ami-man]

Hi,

My advice is never to use any of these products if you have an issue on the control replace it because you will always end up replacing it in the end anyway.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK