@nkonor - thank you! And thanks for sharing some of your experience with the AD and adding the VPI rinse step. I really enjoy getting data points from other people's experiences.
Rushton's DIY approach to ultrasonic record cleaning published by Positive Feedback
Over the past several months I’ve invested a fair amount of time exploring ultrasonic cleaning because I’ve fallen way too far behind in my record cleaning. With over 6000 LPs, I needed a faster way to clean than my trusted multi-step manual wet/vac cleaning process. That manual process got the best results I’ve ever found, but I was not keeping up with my collection and it is just painful to me to play a record that I’ve not cleaned.
In exploring ultrasonic cleaning, my hope was to find that I could complete multiple LPs in a single US cleaning cycle and greatly speed up my rate of cleaning records. My goals were to FIRST do no harm and then SECOND see how close I could get to the results of my manual cleaning regimen.
My past experiences with ultrasonic cleaning demonstrations were completely underwhelming. What I heard did not approach the excellence I was achieving with my multi-step wet/vac cleaning regimen.
What I’ve learned, and now apply in my new ultrasonic cleaning regimen, are multiple elements to the cleaning process that must be used in combination to achieve the best possible results. And these results have far exceeded my expectations.
I’d thought of posting here on Audiogon the summary of what I’ve learned and am now applying as my new record cleaning regimen, but the inability to post images and to apply formatting here caused me to send my summary to David Robinson at Positive Feedback who has graciously published my comments as a guest essay. Please read that essay, and then come back here to Audiogon with comments and to share your experiences:
http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/rushton-paul-diy-approach-ultrasonic-cleaning-lps/
I look forward to some further discussion and sharing of experiences.
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Just a note regarding pumps in general, using a bigger pump with higher GPM is not always the best choice because each model is designed to operate at its highest efficiency in the middle of its output curve. Run it at the upper end of its curve [least efficient, highest output] due to lack of head, it can over heat and shorten its operating life. If you happened to have a pump larger in output than needed throttle it down with a valve and you can watch the current draw drop as it runs more efficiently. Now back to cleaning records. |
@sbank A submersible pump may not be the best option, as you'll constantly be putting it in the tank and pulling it out which will get rather messy and probably become a hassle. Just my opinion, but the pump type that Rushton recommended above would be a better route, as you can plumb it outside the tank and let it sit, just turning it on between cleaning cycles when you want to filter the solution. I purchased the (similar) pump below, and it works perfectly -- plenty of power to get nice flow through the 1-micron filter. It's only been in use for around a month, so hard to predict how long it will last but so far no signs of any trouble. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G305PK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
Well as timing is everything I just saw @bcowen 's suggestion after returning from a trip to a local store where I ended up picking up a 620 GPH Submersible 4PSI Fountain Pump for about the same price with a coupon. So I will give it a try and at least won't have to bother with housing or anything extra in that regard. If it becomes a problematic mess, we can always swap out for one of these. BTW, if browsing the allfilters.com site don't be discouraged by notices that the filter housings are only available in case quantities. If you call them, they often have individual housings available at same pricing by phone order. Very helpful folks there. Cheers, Spencer |
Well, here's a quick 180 degree turn. The submersible pump is too tall when sitting at the bottom of the ultrasonic tank, so I just ordered the pump @bcowen suggested above. A potential mess will be avoided. With my vinylstack, US tank, Triton X100, 5gallons of DI water, isopropol 91% all in house I'm only now some rubber tubing & a couple of chemical delivery's away from go time. Thanks again for everyone's helpful suggestions. Cheers, Spencer |
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