Contact cleaner spray inside VU meters?

[mrGrosvenor]

Hi

Thought Im gonna check here before I make a mess...

I have an old stereo combo, radio,cassette and a turntable on top.

Think the movements on the analog VU meters on the cassette deck, is very weak and slow,
the sound is okay though.

When I record onto a cassette, the meters are very "alive" during the recording process, but than on playback they hardly move at all or just a little.

I wonder whats wrong (if any)??

will it damage the meters if I spray a little contact cleaner inside the meter mechanism? was just thinking it may improve the performance of the meters...

Please give me some advice, Thanks.

regards Grosvenor

 

[OvenMaster]

I myself wouldn't try it, especially if the meters seem "alive" during recording. To me, that suggests they're working just fine, and there's a playback circuit fault elsewhere. I'd figure the meter mechanisms would be too fragile to stand up to a spray blast, anyhow.

Just my two centavos.

Tom

 

[approse]

Like he said...... you spray anything in the meter you're gonna ruin it, for certain, for ever! All VU meters are on the same level of delicate as you'd consider a fine watch movement!

 

[mrGrosvenor]

Like he said...... you spray anything in the meter you're gonna ruin it, for certain, for ever! All VU meters are on the same level of delicate as you'd consider a fine watch movement!

Okay, I had a feeling I shouldnt do it, now I know for sure, thanks guys ! :thmbsp:

 

[LBPete]

Many contact cleaners attack acrylic plastic, like meter faces. So even if there were no risk to the movement, you could ruin the meter face.

- Pete