Cleaning a patch panel

[JCC1996]

Hi,

 

In our school our control position is at the side of the stage which, although you can get by with a video link for theatre, is pretty much useless for mixing bands. I'm mixing a band night in November and the other technician and me are planning on using one of the patch panels which are located in the floor of the auditorium to mix from FoH. Last time we opened the panels, we gave up because of the state they are in. They have become wet at some point and are generally really mucky, so we are planning to clean them up to get them useable for the band night.

 

I'm wondering if there's any tricks to cleaning the XLR sockets (I say sockets, they are actually male). It'll be really fiddle to do with kitchen towel or anything, so I figured someone might have come up with an easier way to do this? Or is it just a case of having a spare few hours and some patience?!

 

Also, does anyone have any ideas how to make a DIY dust cover sort of thing? Or where I can buy them cheap to protect the panel after we've cleaned it up?

 

Thanks

 

Joe

[TomHoward]

I can't advise on the cleaning, but once the connectors are cleaned up, if they are Neutrik D mount there are a range of accessories for dust / ingress protection:

 

http://www.cld-dist.co.uk/gfx/products/large/conscdx.jpg

http://www.cld-dist.co.uk/gfx/products/large/condm.jpg

http://www.cld-dist.co.uk/gfx/products/large/conscdm.jpg

http://www.cld-dist.co.uk/gfx/products/large/conscm.jpg

[JCC1996]

Hi,

 

I can't say for sure that they are neutrik, but the second one down of those dummy plugs looks good. Will it fit any XLR chassis or just the neutrik ones? I can't imagine there is a huge difference between chassis?

 

Joe

[TomHoward]

I would imagine the dummy plugs should fit most XLRs as as you suggest they should all be the same. Dummy plug with the retainer is Neutrik part SCM

http://tinyurl.com/neutrikscm

[zandersned]

What about a test tube cleaner from science or a pipe cleaner from art? never tried myself but its an idea...

[the kid]

Some air duster with a straw on it, a strong vacuum, then a load of cotton buds and alcohol ?

[JCC1996]

Thanks, cotton buds sound like a good plan, I hadn't thought of that.

[Gareth A]

Some air duster with a straw on it, a strong vacuum, then a load of cotton buds and alcohol ?

 

 

Obviously the alcohol is not part of the cleaning. Thats to make the job easier. One shot alcohol - one connector cleaned. Should be interesting by the time you hit the 48th!

[brainwave-generator]

Hi,

 

I can't say for sure that they are neutrik, but the second one down of those dummy plugs looks good. Will it fit any XLR chassis or just the neutrik ones? I can't imagine there is a huge difference between chassis?

 

Joe

 

They are good but if you have more than a few it's a lot of hassle no? And probably more expensive.

 

Are they 19" Rack patch panels? If so you could get something like this

 

http://www.studiospares.com/rack-panels/plexi-cover-secl-4/invt/460110/?htxt=%2FUvRjc0xAaKk26JwgsxcsV6E2gjpK53ITJCPcypNRrR6jhjYX3SDlEUFWaOdTpLU0xVcTayKYYOc%0Aw4t9gBa9qg%3D%3D

 

fit it over the top, and that'd do fine. Would keep the dirt out nicely but be really easy to open when needed.

[david.elsbury]

Hi,

 

I can't say for sure that they are neutrik, but the second one down of those dummy plugs looks good. Will it fit any XLR chassis or just the neutrik ones? I can't imagine there is a huge difference between chassis?

 

Joe

 

They are good but if you have more than a few it's a lot of hassle no? And probably more expensive.

 

Are they 19" Rack patch panels? If so you could get something like this

 

http://www.studiospares.com/rack-panels/plexi-cover-secl-4/invt/460110/?htxt=%2FUvRjc0xAaKk26JwgsxcsV6E2gjpK53ITJCPcypNRrR6jhjYX3SDlEUFWaOdTpLU0xVcTayKYYOc%0Aw4t9gBa9qg%3D%3D

 

fit it over the top, and that'd do fine. Would keep the dirt out nicely but be really easy to open when needed.

Pretty reasonable idea, although the OP mentions a floor panel?

 

Unfortunately this tends to be the issue with floor pockets. It's a pity they've probably been mopped over and the water gone down the cracks... Maybe as a temporary low-budget alternative you could just gaff over the connectors, once they have been cleaned?

 

I also suggest the cotton bud with isopropyl alcohol technique, don't forget to ventilate the area and try to keep huge quantities off your skin :)

 

David

[the kid]

It might be worth looking at a draft strip, or that weird foam rubber stuff to seal it in the future.

[JCC1996]

Hi,

 

I can't say for sure that they are neutrik, but the second one down of those dummy plugs looks good. Will it fit any XLR chassis or just the neutrik ones? I can't imagine there is a huge difference between chassis?

 

Joe

 

They are good but if you have more than a few it's a lot of hassle no? And probably more expensive.

 

Are they 19" Rack patch panels? If so you could get something like this

 

http://www.studiospa...4t9gBa9qg%3D%3D

 

fit it over the top, and that'd do fine. Would keep the dirt out nicely but be really easy to open when needed.

 

Unfortunately they are floor panels, so that wouldn't work. Although it looks like a great idea!

 

 

 

Pretty reasonable idea, although the OP mentions a floor panel?

 

Unfortunately this tends to be the issue with floor pockets. It's a pity they've probably been mopped over and the water gone down the cracks... Maybe as a temporary low-budget alternative you could just gaff over the connectors, once they have been cleaned?

 

I also suggest the cotton bud with isopropyl alcohol technique, don't forget to ventilate the area and try to keep huge quantities off your skin :)

 

David

 

Thats exactly what we think happened. The cleaners have a floor cleaning machine and there is no seal around the hatch. Gaffing the panel might be a good idea, at least until I can get a hold of some covers.

 

 

It might be worth looking at a draft strip, or that weird foam rubber stuff to seal it in the future.

 

That would make sense, but unfortunately I doubt they would let us do it, and there's no way we'll persuade them that it needs done!

 

Thanks again for all the help.

 

Joe