Ultrasonic cleaner… review after cleaning 50 records

[Jeffro62275]

I bought the Vevor 6L cleaner about 6 months ago and absolutely love it.

I'm wondering about the "speed adapter" that some folks mention. I would like to get one to slow the RPM's.

 

[RDW]

This album has to be one of the most noisy of all the ones I own. Detail was completely covered by surface noise. Hand and ultrasonic cleaning made it listenable. The LP is a kinda rare "Porky, Peckie, Pecko..." mastered LP, so I was very happy with the cleaning results. :

Living In The Past. Off Jethro Tull's "Living In The Past." Chrysalis. CJT 2. George Peckham mastered. 1972.
Run-out: Porkie (Peckie, Pecko) CJT 1 A - 1U

Love that record! I used to have it but don’t know what happened to it. I’m going to have to get another copy for sure.

 

[chaz]

I bought the Vevor 6L cleaner about 6 months ago and absolutely love it.

I'm wondering about the "speed adapter" that some folks mention. I would like to get one to slow the RPM's.

This is what I got.
https://www.amazon.com/3V-Adjustable-Adapter-Control-Variable/dp/B07QVXYBDC/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=VZL5WDB6BRFH&keywords=36w+adjustable+3v+-+24v+1.5a+dc+power+supply+adapter+speed+control+volt+display+with+variable+8+plugs+and+1+polarity+reverse+cable&qid=1659991915&sprefix=,aps,163&sr=8-2
At its lowest setting the records spin at about 1.3 revs/min.
There are other options out there though.

 

[60/40]

I purchased this one and it works fine also.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7RS0NG?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[BilboBaggins]

This is what I got.
https://www.amazon.com/3V-Adjustable-Adapter-Control-Variable/dp/B07QVXYBDC/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=VZL5WDB6BRFH&keywords=36w+adjustable+3v+-+24v+1.5a+dc+power+supply+adapter+speed+control+volt+display+with+variable+8+plugs+and+1+polarity+reverse+cable&qid=1659991915&sprefix=,aps,163&sr=8-2
At its lowest setting the records spin at about 1.3 revs/min.
There are other options out there though.

Thanks Chaz, I had seen versions of these before, but I wasn't happy with the options or choices. I've been running mine a while at the output my motor adapter came with. I went for the 72 Watt adjustable. I figured the extra heft might help for it to last, and it was only $1.75 more!

 

[L-82]

^^^thanks for the above link I was looking for something like this A+

 

[Fishead]

Speed is not your friend from what I've gleaned from the literature and also my own experience. I've set mine to complete 1 revolution every 3 minutes and since my total cleaning time is 15 minutes, this results in 5 revolutions per session which seems about right. To those seeing very dirty water/solution: I vacuum every album that goes in the tank beforehand. This lifts much of the detritus from the surface and provides a cleaner bath for a longer period of time. I do begin to see dark flecks at the bottom between sessions and when I think it's too much, I dump it and make a new solution.

 

[3dfxman]

Really looking forward to finding more AIO options. I don't really want to buy a whole bunch of stuff to vacuum, dry, tank, etc. The Humminguru sounds like it was made for me, but more competition could mean a better product and improved prices?

 

[T68]

Hi!
Hope you can bear with this ultrasonic newbie and some questions. I got some parts covered by reading up but then there are some stuff I am curiois to learn more about:

1. What´s a good cleaning solution if one has problems finding US brands (I´m in the EU) like Tergikleen, Triton, Hepastat? Any generic ingredients to look for?
2. Is deionized water ok (easier to find at low cost than distilled water here) to use in the solution?
3. Should the cleaning solution be heated and if so to what temp?
4. If you rinse afterwards with a spinclean/knosti with distilled water, do you use the brushes in the device?
5. Is it ok to dry in a rack after rinsing or should one use a vacuum, cloth or something else?

Thanks in advance for any input on this!

 

[34dean]

Hi T68,
Here is my system and it has worked great! I do have the power adapter to slow rotations down to one per minute.
1. Distilled water + 15 drops Tergikleen
2. Set temp to 35 Celsius
3. 5 records on spindle.
4. Set time to 15 minutes
5. Spinclean rinse 4-5 rotations and put in drying rack.
6. Set next back up and start timer.
7. Hand dry rack records with microfiber cloth and put in MoFi inner sleeve.

Good luck and happy listening!

 

[gadget73]

1. What´s a good cleaning solution if one has problems finding US brands (I´m in the EU) like Tergikleen, Triton, Hepastat? Any generic ingredients to look for?

I use 4 drops of dishwasher rinse aid and 4 drops of dish soap. Both are basically just a mix of surfactants, the soap adds a bit of degreasing ability to help with fingerprints.
specifically Jet-Dry and Dawn but I don't expect the brand matters all that much.

 

[T68]

Thanks for respondig guys! What could a replacement for Tergikleen be here in Europe? Or anyone know if it has a vendor over here?

 

[Hajidub]

Thanks for respondig guys! What could a replacement for Tergikleen be here in Europe? Or anyone know if it has a vendor over here?

Amazon.com . I've ordered stuff from Europe on Amazon (Amazon.eu) and had it delivered for free, per the Prime agreement, to the U.S.. That's if they don't offer it on the EU version.

 

[T68]

Just got the tank (Vevor from AliExpress) and rack (from Audiorevita in Poland via eBay) delivered.

Just a quick test run with a beater record in tap water now to se that it runs and turns. Seems ok! Also shredded som tin foil in the bath, which indicates that the transducers work.

Now waiting for some rainy days to let it loose on the collection. Also need to cook up a brew for the bath .

 

[Fishead]

Hi T68 and congratulations on your acquisition! That looks very much like the same tank that I and many others are using from Vevor, a 6 liter model with exterior dimensions of (tank only excluding feet and lid) 16.2cm wide, 31.2cm long, and 25.5cm tall. If that is correct, or at least closely matching yours, and if I'm reading the specs on the rack properly which suggest that it holds 6 records, then I would be curious as to how you intend to load it? With 6 records as advertised? The information that I have been able to glean from a few what I deem to be reliable sources suggests that there should be at least a 7/8 inch (2.3 cm) gap between records to achieve optimal effective ultrasonic cleaning action. Just wondering what you are thinking?

In any case, good for you to take the plunge!!! I expect that we will soon be hearing about your rainy day revelations here and look forward to a report!

 

[T68]

Hi T68 and congratulations on your acquisition! That looks very much like the same tank that I and many others are using from Vevor, a 6 liter model with exterior dimensions of (tank only excluding feet and lid) 16.2cm wide, 31.2cm long, and 25.5cm tall. If that is correct, or at least closely matching yours, and if I'm reading the specs on the rack properly which suggest that it holds 6 records, then I would be curious as to how you intend to load it? With 6 records as advertised? The information that I have been able to glean from a few what I deem to be reliable sources suggests that there should be at least a 7/8 inch (2.3 cm) gap between records to achieve optimal effective ultrasonic cleaning action. Just wondering what you are thinking?

In any case, good for you to take the plunge!!! I expect that we will soon be hearing about your rainy day revelations here and look forward to a report!

Thanks! The Polish rack seems to be made for holding up to 5 records. I will probably, like most others getting into US cleaning, do some trial and error in the beginning regarding number of records simultaneously, temp, time and cleaning solution. But gut feeling is that I may try two or three records at first... Rather get solid results than high numbers.

 

[Fishead]

You're welcome! I'll just re-post this link for you in case you have not read the article:

https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/rushton-paul-diy-approach-ultrasonic-cleaning-lps/

It gives a ton of information and some of it, frankly, makes me weary just considering it.....e.g., I didn't adopt the filtration system and simply opt for refreshing the solution when it appears beyond acceptable cleanliness. You will begin to get the sense of this when you've cleaned about 25-30 records (depending, of course, on how dirty they were to start) and this is where I generally opt to drain the tank and start with a new batch. And, I am only using plain distilled water for the base of the solution and the rinse after the cleaning cycle. I've also, as previously noted, early on begun to vacuum my records before putting them in the tank for cleaning which seems to extend the life of the solution as well.

And of course, I would be remiss if not to mention our own resident authority's thread on record cleaning, Phantomrebel (whose disappearance remains a mystery) which also echoes much of what is said in Rush Paul's account linked to above. I readily admit to, although having read every word, not perfectly understanding everything that was said in there but even at that have found so much of tremendous usefulness! So, when it starts raining, you might go back and refresh your memory with that. You're gonna have some fun, amigo, and the best part is how your records will sound as a result of your new enterprise!!! Happy cleaning and LISTENING!!!

 

[Fishead]

The Polish rack seems to be made for holding up to 5 records.

From their website, not sure which model you have:

http://audiorevita.pl/wp-content/gallery/audio_22/f7.jpg

Rather get solid results than high numbers.

Yes, I would agree......for others, numbers may be important if there are thousands to be cleaned and time limitations. But growing up around Salzburg, and having witnessed the Salzburger Schnürlregen more times than I care to remember, there's not a whole lot else to do unless you are a duck or a frog!!!

 

[T68]

From their website, not sure which model you have:

http://audiorevita.pl/wp-content/gallery/audio_22/f7.jpg



Yes, I would agree......for others, numbers may be important if there are thousands to be cleaned and time limitations. But growing up around Salzburg, and having witnessed the Salzburger Schnurlregen more times than I care to remember, there's not a whole lot else to do unless you are a duck or a frog!!!

My bad: my rack holds up to 6 records too .

Ah, Salzburg! I visited that city as a kid when my family went skiing in the Alps. Remember it as being really nice. But fortunately no Schnurlregen while I was there

 

[Fishead]

Jawohl, beautiful place indeed and holds a particular fondness for me.....and of course, it is the city of The Sound Of Music!!! The Schnürlregen, translated to english as "string rain" because it seems one shower is connected to another and it does this for days, if not weeks, may be annoying at times but when you witness the resulting beauty, the green everywhere, the flowers, just amazing! Sadly, my relatives there report this phenomenon is in decline and certainly not as vibrant as when I was a kid.....or, er, a duck....or a frog....can't remember exactly which one I was but we still went out and played, shirtless and shoeless for hours and hours!