M100B Electrical Selector

[andylevine]

I disassembled the ESU on a 100B I am refurbishing for myself so I could replace the glasses and buttons.  What a pain.... so many tight little screws in tight little places.  I can tell someone has been in here before because of marks on the screws, misplaced washers, and the fact the entire counting unit (counter, solenoid, arm, etc) are missing   Having never done this before, I can say it was a "learning experience".  Before I go and put it back together, what else should I do to this thing, having no idea if it functions properly??  flood the contacts with DeOxit?  clean thoroughly with alcohol and cotton swabs?? I figured while I've got it apart I should do my best to make this thing last another 60+ years.

Thanks for your sage wisdom to a rookie......

Andy

[Ron Rich]

Hi Andy,
Basically there are two schools of thought on keyboards of this type. Some people like to dis assemble them totally removing all of the sliders, and using something like a "Dremmil tool" on them. I am NOT of that school---that to me is THE last resort, as the slides are silver plated, and the tool removes the plating -- I am of the school that removes the ES from the phono--then removes the latch bar solenoid, and, if there, any "counter assembly". At this point I wash the whole thing in hot (soapy, if you can find it) ammonia, then rinse totally--re-wash it in a water based solvent --once again--hot water--hot rinse-- Allow it to dry and re-do it all over again. Dry, oil all treadle bars, at pivot points---check mechanical operation, add the (cleaned up--lubed, "shaft" ) solenoid back-- re-install-- NO "SPRAY's" of any kind-- if you wish, a small coating of Deoxit, applied to the sliders with a "Q-tip" should be find--

[andylevine]

Thanks, Ron, I certainly like this approach far better than trying to take the whole thing apart. Sounds like you do NO unsoldering either.... kinda leaves the latch solenoid and the lighting case flopping around while washing. I think this will be my project tonight or tomorrow.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Andy,
You are welome--however--"Remove" does require un-soldering/re-soldering that solenoid--they do not "like" moisture-of any nature !!