Saturday's stream link

There is a silicone dielectric grease that I tend to use on stuff, (along with Joe's Classic Video Games) called Super Lube item 92003 . It has a food rating, also but there are levels of safety on those so read up on it first. It may collect some dust, but it doesn't sound like the switch is going to live long enough anyway. It may be thick, but will wipe down far enough after working the switch a dozen times or so. Available at 90% of the hardware stores in the States, and maybe Canada. For thinner and different applications, I like using fluid film since when laid down in a moderate layer it will leave a protective film and won't dry up. It would get wiped away in a switch. Aerosol cans are showing up at most big box hardware stores, and gallons are at John Deere heavy equipment dealers. Lastly, Motorkote is a friction modifier that actually does work (I am a truck driver and have used it with great success). It comes in an aerosol can that is high pressure, and also in bottles up to 55gallon drums for that all night switch lubing action!! It may seem expensive, but you get what you pay for. 207k miles and still going on the transmission in my personal vehicle.

Jason Greene

When Megger looked at this back in the 90s, they concluded grease did nothing for longevity, but it did slow tarnishing. The other problem is grease can attract dirt/dust/solder balls. My general rule is don't trust rotary switches all that much. Our decade boxes were cheap on eBay but tip-top construction. They are Sullivan brand, typically 0.05% and older than me! They need cleaning every so often, but only if you're into the low end. I usually scour the brass contacts with glass paper then apply a coating of thin oil. Thick oil or grease is no good as it reduces contact area.

Mike Page

Can I ask you a question for the upcoming stream? I want to build a decade box to quickly fiddle out what the best choice of resistor is in serie to light up one or a couple of LEDs. Last week a saw on Aliexpress such a box for 12-13 Euros and I ordered one, knowing it probably is sh*t. And it is. The rotary switches grinding the tracs on a PCB and it will fail very soon. But untill the ordered components all arrive for the build I want to use it for a while. Now the question: I want to grease the PCB contacts so the copper tracs will last a little bit longer than 1-2 months. I searched the internet and asked people on tweakers.nl, but no sigar. I know that all of my DMMs have greased tracs beneith the sliders of the rotary switch, but have no idea wich sort of oil/grease is used. Can you advise?

Hub Rijcks

Oh I've dropped the youtube comment on the incorrect stream...well i hope it doesn't cause too many...waves? Muhuhuhuahaa

Michael Thompson

Will there be any more lightbulbs to take apart? My own desk is starting to become a mess of full bridge rectifiers, capacitive droppers and cheap Chinese LED's.

Silverfoxwolf

You've not missed this one. There was an unplanned stream on the main channel yesterday.

Big Clive

I missed this, but time-shifting. "With a bit of a mind flip You're into the time-shift And nothing can ever be the same..."

Michael Thompson

Apparently this should be a fun and exciting stream, I'm glad to hear the announcement about it. Have a great weekend!

VitAnyaNaked

Has got to be cheaper than Kew Gardens which is currently advance bookings only + £15 per head.

Andrew Donaldson

Lovely photos. Insta-relax...sigh...

Michael Thompson

Big Clive taking a leak (o link) in a stream!! (struck me as funny)

spring forward, or sumthing sumthin?

Scott Traynor

It will be fun

Kevin Hardisty