Removing the knobs on the GT.

[JASONSPAZ1]

I want to take the control knobs off so I can clean up any oxidation that may or may not be on the Pots.
Is it just a matter of twisting them off? What technique is safe to remove them and then put them back on.

Thanks
Jason

 

[Critterhunter]

NO! Don't do that unless the POT is giving you a problem. And you won't get at it that way anyway. You'd have to take the machine apart. Some pots in devices can be cleaned via an access point with a straw on the end of a can of non-residue contact cleaner. Others have to be taken apart, either by bending the tabs on the back end, or also by removing a c-clip at the back end of the shaft. Only take a pot apart to clean it if you can't clean it via an access point, and only clean a pot if you have a problem in the first place. In extreme circumstances, where even spraying it with contact cleaner didn't help, I've taken them apart and lightly sanded the surface area the feelers ride on with some printer paper as a very mild abbrasive, and then sprayed it to clean it after that. Also, I've slightly bent down the feelers to insure good contact. Sometimes that's the problem, but over bending them where they then make too strong of contact will lead to premature wear and failure of the POT.

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

n/t

 

[Neil]

Jason if your just talking the knobs, they pull off. If they are a little difficult just rock them a little from side to side while pulling on them.
I do this myself occasionally as stuff can get behind the knobs.

 

[Critterhunter]

One tip I heard on here long ago for cleaning the face plate is to use shaving cream to clean and wipe off stuff. I'd just be careful around any potential openings around the switches and pots. Probably should try this as my GT is looking rather crusty. A Q-tip to clean the vents on the speaker before I finally tape over the stupid thing might be a good idea for me to do, so I don't seal any crud under the tape.

 

[Neil]

I dust stuff off with a good paint brush(soft fine bristles) and then wipe it down with a damp cloth, when I first buy a detector(used). Gotta take care of this stuff for sure

 

[Critterhunter]

Neil, in the HVAC field I'm now working in as a service tech, I use a paint brush like that to clean around the inducer motor's fly wheel and it's cooling vents, along with the back side of the blower motor where it breathes as well. Dirt and grime settles on those things and not only cause premature bearing wear due to knocking them out of balance, but also prevents the motors from breathing via the vent holes and end up baking them or at the very least shutting them down on thermal overload.

Quick tip for spring here with everybody's furnace and AC- For one, change your air filter, as lack of air flow can freeze up your evaperator coil with ice and also cost a bunch of your utility bill. Second, the condensor outside- Pull the fuse block out of the lock out box that is usually mounted on the side of the house for it, and then wash the condensor from the inside out with a garden hose, as the air flow is pulled into it and most debri will be stuck to the outside of the coil. Stuff like cotton fluff from those cotton tree seeds that float in the air can really clog that thing up and raise energy bills.

Just be sure to yoke the fused block out of the lock out box first, as there is some pretty nasty voltage running to the compressor, double what you'd find at your outlets in the house. It can kill or at least knock you for a loop. So far I haven't been blessed to get bit by that much voltage and hope I never have to find out how it feels.

 

[Tin Fin]

Hey Critter,

Ever done any 220 AC welding? Having the ground behind you and striking the arc in front of you with your body leaning against the item your welding will give you a good idea of what it might feel like - been there done that in my younger/dumber days. It's no fun, but you usually only forget where your ground is once... lesson learned. The taste of copper under the back of your tongue with all your body muscles jittering uncontrollably and unexpectedly is not a pleasant one. But I hope you never find out what that feels like either.

 

[Critterhunter]

One time a while back I was helping a guy re-route some wiring in some store lights. He was a master electrician and on the fly he yoked a bunch of wires out of the conduit and said, "your good, no power now". Well, I was putting some wire nuts on the new wiring and got a nice little "hello" from the power still flowing. Luckily I was on a wooden platform or I might have felt more than I did. Lesson learned- Never trust anybody saying there is no juice. Always re-check with a probe to prove it to yourself.