When a relay is messed up, sometimes it is not only dirty, it also get
damaged contacts.
There can be burrs and pits on the contacts.
I find it best to clean the contacts first with any kind of paper, like
printer paper, or brown paper bag, etc., and then use the burnishing tool.
The burnishing tool can repair the contacts; paper will not. Of course if
there is too much damage, the contacts will soon burn again.
SO THE VERY BEST THING is to fix the cause. Stop switching under power.
The culprit most often needing burnishing is the T/R relay in amplifiers,
especially those with slower, open frame relays.
You cure that by deploying time sequence keying.
I built my own time sequencing keyer years ago and that stopped the burning.
Most good modern rigs have time sequencing adjustments but my bet is, people
don't understand them and don't know how to adjust them. The Orions and OM7
have the proper adjustments.
The Eagle...not quite, unless you use it together with the Model 318.
On the other hand, if you have a QSK amplifier, it may not be a problem.
Sorry, a bit long winded but my point was, don't just buy and use a
burnishing tool, use your brain too and cure the problem.
73
Rick, DJ0IP
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Clayton Brantley
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 9:28 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Burnishing tool?
I have used brown paper from one of the old grocery bags (if you can still
find them).
Seems to clean relay contacts and the like. I have also moistened the paper
with cleaner too.
I do have a burnishing tool, but don't like to use it on silver contacts!
Clayton N4EV
________________________________
From: Bob McGraw - K4TAX <RMcGraw@Blomand.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 1:33 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Burnishing tool?
Ink eraser to clean edge contacts or otherwise is a bad idea due to the
outgas of an acid compound and Sulfur. Rub it on a surface and smell.
Proper cleaning is best done with a soft cloth and contact cleaner. If it
is a tight space there is a lint free swab made specifically for cleaning
rotary video heads that, with a small application of contact cleaner applied
to the swab, works well. Excessive and random sprayed contact cleaner can
become corrosive.
For dry contacts, a strip cut from a white index card works well. Just use
a small amount of pressure to bring the contacts together, grasping the
index card strip, to wipe between the contacts.
For rotary switches and pots, a cleaner which contains some lubricant is
generally satisfactory. GC Chemicals has made some good stuff in the past.
I've a can that is probably 10+ years old, hence this gives one a reference
to the small amount that I use in doing regular repair and restoration work.
I've also used Cramolin, both Red and Blue, but only at 1% solution. The
other 99% is Freon TF. I think the stuff is no longer available due to
environmental reasons. Perhaps, as I understand, DeOxit is a good
substitute. Again, least is best.
73
Bob, K4TAX
----- Original Message -----
From: <w8au@sssnet.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 12:11 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Burnishing tool?
> At 11:13 PM 7/14/2012, Richards wrote:
>>Does anybody use a burnishing tool to clean contacts? I seem to recall
>>RadioShack selling such a thing years ago. Not having one, I sometimes
>>use an old ink eraser. Are there better ideas for this?
>
> Nothing better, but if you need something in a hurry, use a
> clean dollar bill. Very rugged, no shedding, and has a slightly
> coarse surface. (need I add -- pull through closed contacts, not push?)
> :-)
>
> Works well.
>
> Perry w8au
>
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