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BK1103A Switch Help

kas.lewis

I recently bought a second hand function generator and after checking it out it all appears to work well except for some of the switches. I was therefore hoping someone may be able to help me identify the make and model of the used switches. If I can replace them then I will have a perfectly good function generator, well minus the calibration (1993...)

 

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This is a picture of the switch I 'm looking to replace. It's a six pin switch and appears that the upper and lower center are the two poles and the outer terminals are the four throws.

 

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The function generator in question, awaiting its repairs.

 

Thanks

Kas

Parents

  • I'm wondering if a good clean and lube won't bring back the switches to their former glory.

     

    It's entirely likely that the contacts that were uncovered have suffered from oxidation, and with cleaning and manipulation might bring them back.

    A further spray of a lubrication type compound will ensure they remain in good condition.

     

    Mark

  • in reply to mcb1

    ,

     

    I was wondering about cleaning out the old switches and that in some ways would be the best solution. The question I had was how to go about opening them without damaging them. In some ways I don't have much to loose on the other hand it sort of kinda works... (Read as chicken). That might just be the best bet. I'll look into this option when  get a few minutes of downtime.

     

    Kas

Reply
  • in reply to mcb1

    ,

     

    I was wondering about cleaning out the old switches and that in some ways would be the best solution. The question I had was how to go about opening them without damaging them. In some ways I don't have much to loose on the other hand it sort of kinda works... (Read as chicken). That might just be the best bet. I'll look into this option when  get a few minutes of downtime.

     

    Kas

Children
  • in reply to kas.lewis

    Well, some contact cleaner is pretty "volatile", and liquidy, so you can just soak the whole switch assembly through the cracks while pushing the switch continuously so the contacts "rub" away any of the oxide. You can spray through open cracks if you can find any ... excess eventually evaporates.

     

    This can work, although I've found on some older switches, can be a little temporary as well.

     

    - Gough

  • in reply to kas.lewis

    From what I recall of these switches, the rear is open.

    If you can desolder them from the board, you have some other options, but I think you can try the squirt the heck out of them first.

     

    As said, you can simply squirt contact cleaner into them and then operate them several times.

    This will quickly show if the switch is the issue, or if something else is the cause.

     

     

    Contact cleaner tends to clean but leave the surface dry, and it is better to have a film on the surfaces that protects them.

    Electrolube make some products that apply a coating that is electrically conductive.

    I couldn;t find it on the nz element14 website but thi is what I was thinking https://www.electrolube.co.nz/products/contact-lubricants/eml/contact_cleaner_lubricants/

     

     

    Apart from the mains switch, these switches are unlikely to be carrying any current so you're safe from the excess becoming conductive and causing other issues.

     

    They may have a mechanical interlock, which might need some greasing with a suitable plastic lubricant.

    I tend to use CRC 808 Silicon Spray now as it is a dry lubricant so therefore doesn't attract dust.

    It apparently works well on car door seals as well.

     

     

    Mark