what causes crackling/popping in electronics?

[TechBoyJK]

I have a bass amp that sounds amazing, if you don't touch the knobs.

but as soon as you try and adjust something, it cracks and pops until you leave a knob alone..

any ideas?

 

[BoomerD]

Well duh...leave the knobs alone...😛


you need new knobs...well, actually the parts UNDER the knobs...😀

OR, you may be able to use a good contact cleaner and solve the problem.


I had a radio in a Bimmer that did that.
Took the faceplate off, pulled the volume control out and sprayed the shit out of it with De-Oxit, put it back together...nothing worked.:Q


I jest. That eliminated all the noise when you adjusted the volume.
Sometimes it works...sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, replace the potentiometer.

 

[spidey07]

Oxidation on the pot. When it's powered off violently turn the knobs back and forth very quickly. Should take care of it.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Oxidation on the pot. When it's powered off violently turn the knobs back and forth very quickly. Should take care of it.

Yup, that usually does it. They sell electric parts cleaner also, but I've never used that.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Oxidation on the pot. When it's powered off violently turn the knobs back and forth very quickly. Should take care of it.

look for a product called Cramolin to clean that up.

 

[Q]

/waits for Rubycon 😀

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Oxidation on the pot.

i hate oxidation on my pot.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: spidey07
Oxidation on the pot.

i hate oxidation on my pot.

but you like it on your brain.

 

[Rubycon]

Text

We use Caig products on all our gear and it works wonders to keep down the noise. There is nothing more embarrassing when your board has crackling pots or bypass switches crackle like an AM radio in Florida in the summer. :laugh:

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Text

We use Caig products on all our gear and it works wonders to keep down the noise. There is nothing more embarrassing when your board has crackling pots or bypass switches crackle like an AM radio in Florida in the summer. :laugh:

What does lightening have to do with your pots?
😕

And for that matter, why does lightening make AM crackle? Excessive gain on the carrier?

 

[hiromizu]

look for pop in the vacuum tubes

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: spidey07


What does lightening have to do with your pots?
😕

And for that matter, why does lightening make AM crackle? Excessive gain on the carrier?

Lightning (without the e) makes a crackling noise carrying tremendous broadband energy. It does not need any carrier to be heard. As a matter of fact the best way to "tune" in to sferics (the correct term for atmospheric discharge within an active cumulonimbus cloud) is to tune to a blank station.

Florida is extremely active in the warmer months and the frequent crackling sounds a lot like a really noisy pot/switch. On our outdoor rigs they will get bad fast with the warm, salt laden air from the sea.

 

[BoomerD]

Working maritime construction, we used a LOT of Caig De-Oxit and CorrosionX to keep electronics "corrosion free" and functioning.

It was just a nice side-benefit to have either/both available for home use...😀