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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 7, 2013 16:13:51 GMT -5
A friend emailed me recently with this tale:
He thought that his rear-channel amplifier (an old McIntosh) had gone out because he wasn't getting any sound out of the rear speakers. When he went to take the amp out, he noticed that the input RCA jacks were balls of corrosion. After cleaning them, the rears worked fine again. He wanted to know why he had so much corrosion.
I told him that the dissimilar metals created galvanic corrosion. The gold-plated interconnects, being the nobler metal, were causing the carbon steel jacks on his McIntosh to corrode. I further suggested that a standard, non-gold-plated interconnect would better resist future corrosion.
The question comes up, though, and I don't have an answer: How often should connections (be they RCA, balanced, or speaker) be cleaned to prevent galvanic corrosion?
Also, is there some inexpensive goop (that isn't snake-oil and doesn't cost a ton) that will (tasteless) galvanic corrosion in electrical connectors?
I know that the local Auto-Zone sells "battery terminal preservative" but that is for lead-to-lead connection between the battery clamp and the battery terminal and may not be what's needed for audio use.
Enquiring minds want to know...
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Post by paradigmE on Feb 7, 2013 16:31:54 GMT -5
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geebo
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"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
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Post by geebo on Feb 7, 2013 16:39:41 GMT -5
I usually clean all connections once a year and apply a small amout of Stabilant 22A. DeOxit is another option to clean and protect.
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 7, 2013 17:13:05 GMT -5
We used this product in a lab setting if I recall correctly related to this subject... Looks like an oil to me that works by keeping air & humidity away from the contact surfaces. No oxygen = reduced corrosion rate. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 7, 2013 17:14:34 GMT -5
I usually clean all connections once a year and apply... Thanks, geebo - I suspect that an annual cleaning (even without the application of fluids) is probably sufficient for my friend. His contacts had been there for years (between five and 10, I'm guessing) |
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Feb 7, 2013 18:49:20 GMT -5
I usually clean all connections once a year and apply... Thanks, geebo - I suspect that an annual cleaning (even without the application of fluids) is probably sufficient for my friend. His contacts had been there for years (between five and 10, I'm guessing) I agree with geebo, though that stuff is not cheap,... |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 7, 2013 19:01:06 GMT -5
...I agree with geebo, though that stuff is not cheap,... Well, if my theory about how it works is correct, then any lubricant that won't dry out should be equally effective. I'll try a shot of silicone spray & see. |
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Feb 7, 2013 21:07:25 GMT -5
...I agree with geebo, though that stuff is not cheap,... Well, if my theory about how it works is correct, then any lubricant that won't dry out should be equally effective. I'll try a shot of silicone spray & see. Stabilant 22A increases conductivity at connection points. Not sure if silicone will do the same. VW recommends we use it for all wire repairs and make it available to dealers for warranty repairs. Even on airbag connections. They prefer we use Stabilant 22a and crimped butt connectors over soldering. |
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Post by audiofile on Feb 7, 2013 21:48:39 GMT -5
As I implement my vintage McIntosh gear, knowing that the connections need to be clean was relayed to me by the shop.
Not using a gold interconnect was not. That's a great idea. So what prevents this at the Emotiva amp end? Different materials at those connections?
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 8, 2013 5:43:42 GMT -5
Galvanic electrolysis waits on no brand. Emotiva, McIntosh, no difference. Metal is metal.
I see this frequently in my work. Some mechanic, with the best of intentions, uses stainless steel studs & nuts on a carbon steel piping flange. Before a year's gone by, the entire flange is a ball of rust because the connectors, being the nobler metal, cause galvanic corrosion on the carbon steel (the less noble metal).
Therefore a good rule of thumb is: For gold-plated speaker & interconnect plugs - gold-plated jacks only. For non-gold-plated plugs - non-gold-plated jacks. This will hold true with or without connection dressings.
By the way, I find that a product called "Nevr-Dull" (sic) (a cotton wadding treated with some chemical) does a good job of cleaning jacks, plugs, and spade/banana connectors. You can see the wadding turn black as the corrosion comes off on the cotton.
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Post by wizardofoz on Feb 8, 2013 7:35:45 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2013 7:48:21 GMT -5
You can also mitigate galvanic corrosion by simply removing and re-seating your connections every couple of months. No fun if the system is housed in a limted access rack, but not a problem for many setups. The best solution is to not use dissimilar metals for connections...
-RW-
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Post by AudioHTIT on Feb 8, 2013 23:52:20 GMT -5
The best solution is to not use dissimilar metals for connections... -RW- That is the best, these days it's easier with lots of gold, also RCA connectors with good grip. It's the vintage equipment that needs these cable ceremonies. |
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