Hey Big_Ed;
Although it's made from mineral spirits, it does evaporate sorta-quickly. It is flammable. But I've never had a problem with it. I often think of DeOXIT as a tune-up in a can. Just don't use it on gas stoves, barbecue grills, or open campfires !
:sweat::wow:
It's proper name is DeOXIT D5 Power Booster. It's in a 5% concentration. You can also get the 100% for a bit more money. I'll usually get the 5% in what looks to be a 6-ounce spray can for around $12.
Best thing about DeOXIT, is that it really cleans the metal. I've used it on mountaintop repeater sites, and in remote north GA, that's a plus. Because up there, weather oxidizes metals in short order. In more polluted areas, it would occur even faster. What that translates to for us, is better RF output power, with lower current consumption, and a better signal out in the world, where we need it most. And we're not always able to get to the site.
Another way to put it, is that oxidation causes equipment to draw more power in an effort to overcome resistance, trying to achieve the same result as when it was new and therefore "fresh". Or, equipment kinda slacks off on performance.
My ham/EMA group uses old 1970's vintage GE Mastr II repeaters high up in the mountains. Without DeOXIT, we'd have blown output transistors, and who knows how much more damage. Those machines are real workhorses, and worth more than words can describe. It's been a lifesaver.
I've used it in my electrical outlets all around the house, just for the sake of oxidation, and with nice results. Just a little squirt in each contact, and you're good to go, just wipe off any excess....that's all I do. Another thing is to hit your lamp sockets with some. Bulbs burn brighter !
I've used DeOXIT on my truck's battery. After wire-brushing the calcification off the terminals, I'd hit them with a squirt, and they wouldn't oxidize again for a while. Plus everything worked better; my lights were brighter, and the engine was easier to crank. After 4 years, my battery still holds 12.8 volts. But the battery really needs replacement, because it probably dips below 10 volts on crank. :help:
DeOXIT can be had at Radio Shack (if you don't mind paying alot), or at the Caig Laboratories website (
www.caig.com) or at Parts Express (
www.partsexpress.com). I'd recommend Parts Express as a good source for lots of electronic stuff. In fact, Ed, go to Caig's website for a quick education on their other products. Caig makes a "kit" that one can get for less than $30 that contains several of their preservation products.
In the near future, when I've got enough time to really take it apart and do a good job on it, I'm going to use DeOXIT on my vintage 1976 Pioneer SX-1250 receiver. I wanna clean the speaker-on relay that safely switches the speakers on during power up. It's been sticking, and I get a few clicks which manifest as transients to the speakers, having the potential to blow the speakers. So, I'll have to carefully take off the plastic cover/shield, and hit the relay with just a toot of DeOXIT, and I'll get (hopefully) another 29 years of service from it. I'll also be cleaning the power transistors, and putting fresh heat sink grease on those. That thing sounds better than most any receiver made today. 160 watts/channel RMS !!!
Oh, did I mention that I use it on flashlights ??? :nana:
Oxidation ? Never fear, DeOXIT is here !!! :thanks:
Paul (ENLIGHTENED)
