I have successfully used a dishwasher with a powder called "Alconox" - not sure what the substance was but will assume it's similar to the detergent without all the foo-foo scents and wetting agents - probably a straight surfactant.
Tektronix used to use a sort of a giant dishwasher for years to clean their old tube scopes. If done properly, it's a great way to clean old tube electronics. You must first remove all tubes, transformers and relays - which may make it more work than just washing it in the sink or bathtub and carefully avoiding these parts (I'd still remove tubes and any other socketed items). I remember doing my Swan 250 in the dishwasher and it came out great (still drifty, though ;-) ). Whether you use the dishwasher or bathtub, it's important to rinse the whole thing with distilled water and then thoroughly dry the rig. I have cleaned National (back to NC2-40D's), Swan, Hallicrafters, Drake, HP and Tektronix gear (and others, too, I'm sure, but those are the ones I remember!) using this method and it gets them as clean as new. The added bonus is the stuff runs cooler without those layers of dust and tar/nicotine on them. I know there are many on this reflector who are readying the flamethrowers now; I'll don my Nomex suit and duck, now... 73, Steve, W1ES/4 _______________________________________________ Drakelist mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
