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Re: Removing the Encoder caps


Tobbe Bergman
 

If you don't recap, caps could fail and in turn destroy CEM chips like filters and oscillators.

I had to replace a CEM?3374? "Dual VCO chip "due to a capacitor had failed, very expensive component and very hard to find !



2013/3/23 PeWe <ha-pewe@...>

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Am 23.03.2013 21:49, schrieb Omar:
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good to know as an option. Ive used cleaning solutions on some of my other gear, like my System-100m. However usually it does not change the physical "feel" of the pot/fader movement. So if it feels tough to move or doesnt slide smoothly and evenly, then it usually needs to be replaced regardless of how much cleaning you do.


The original encoders never felt "smooth",- I?m 1st owner of my Xpander.
But they are very rugged and any replacements aren?t !

When we ordered the replacement encoders from Mouser, one soldering lug broke on one of the encoders while unpacking,- and we did it careful !


Im just very particular of how faders/pots feel to the touch when being moved. Its part of the hands-on experience and "feeling" the quality of the instrument.

The instrument is and keeps a quality one also w/ the original encoders.

I?m sure these are cleanable for several times and I had to do it for the 1st time after a quarter of a century.
That said,- I replaced 2 of ?em many years ago w/ original parts,- that?s why I have 2 left over now.

The Schmitt Trigger chips are very responsible for the functionality of the rotary encoders and it was already much better after replacement of the chips w/ rotarys uncleaned.
The clean job was the ice on the cake then.
I haven?t done it myself,- my tech did and he worked in a very well known music shop in my hometown as a service tech already in the 80s, so he had experience disassembling the Xpander and opening the rotarys.

We did a almost complete overhaul, step by step and up to now,- replaced all switches and re-capped the PSU.

I also had the issue tuning proceedure failed on some voices randomly when pushing the [ALL] button.
After the switch was replaced,- no issues anymore so it seemed it double triggered.

My original intention was also to replace all the 2.2uF voiceboard caps,- but that was totally unnecessary,- it works and sounds like a charme again.

Now for the future, I don?t want to overstress the beauty like I did when touring w/ it,- so I?ll buy Xplorer application in addition.
I hope it gets Multi-Patch support one day.


how do your Xpander encoders feel after cleaning them?

They feel like they did when I buyed it new,- see above ...
They are relatively loud and have some resistance though.

But I?ve found it better to keep the instrument as original as it can be,- so replacing stuff by other parts is the last option for me.
I?m pretty sure, none of todays replacement encoder will last that long as the originals did and do.

I?m happy I didn?t have to modify much,- not to deal w/ different encoder bushing sizes and different debounce parts.

Your milage may vary ...

PeWe


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