Speaker refurb Questions...

PioneerGuy75

PioneerGuy75

Certified Lurker
I am rebuilding a couple of pairs of speakers at the moment and I have a couple of questions...

First off, while cleaning cones what can be done to protect the coil? I mean, when I am scraping the foam/adhesive off the cone it cranks on the coil.
(Of course I am careful) Is this a big deal or not?


Second, regarding recapping, is it necessary to replace higher-quality poly film caps? This is a pair of Infinity RS600 that have 3 common electrolytics and what appears to be 2 more poly film type.

Also I cannot decipher the specs of these...They are marked 16.0K and 4.0J

Any input much appreciated!! Cheers :beerchug:
 
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General consensus says that modern electrolytic caps are better quality than the old ones and would be suitable to use for a lot of years to come.

So in short, poly's are not necessary, but rather an upgrade option.


Turborusty
 
What I meant to say....These crossovers have both types...3 electrolytics AND 2 polys...

Is it necessary to replace the polys as they are generally better quality...

:beerchug:
 
PioneerGuy75 said:
What I meant to say....These crossovers have both types...3 electrolytics AND 2 polys...

Is it necessary to replace the polys as they are generally better quality...

:beerchug:
Click to expand...

OH...from what I understand....once the polys are there....no need to really ever touch them again.

Haha, I just went back and re-read yuour post and you asked exactly what you menat to. Reading>me. :(

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Turborusty
 
Generally spe4aking one would want to replace the electrolytics after 15+ years as they will drift.

"....First off, while cleaning cones what can be done to protect the coil? I mean, when I am scraping the foam/adhesive off the cone it cranks on the coil.
(Of course I am careful) Is this a big deal or not?...."

I have no idea to what you are asking here- can you elaborate more? To protec the voice coil I leave the dust cap in place. If I remove the dust cap then I use blue painters tape and tape off the coil gap area.
DC
 
I think he is talking about when he is refoaming.
When I do it I like to hold the cone in place with my other hand if it is moving too much.
Or try using a sharper blade so you don't have to use so much force.
 
PioneerGuy75 said:
I am rebuilding a couple of pairs of speakers at the moment and I have a couple of questions...

First off, while cleaning cones what can be done to protect the coil? I mean, when I am scraping the foam/adhesive off the cone it cranks on the coil.
(Of course I am careful) Is this a big deal or not?


Second, regarding recapping, is it necessary to replace higher-quality poly film caps? This is a pair of Infinity RS600 that have 3 common electrolytics and what appears to be 2 more poly film type.

Also I cannot decipher the specs of these...They are marked 16.0K and 4.0J

Any input much appreciated!! Cheers :beerchug:
Click to expand...
I've experimented with a variety of methods, many here and from youtube. I place the woofer face down with part exteneding past the edge of the surface I'm working on. I then use a blade (your choice) and work down (from above the surround) and scrape off. If the cone is very rough texture you'll need to try something else. Make sure the blade is almost flat against the surface to prevent "cutting" into the cone. I then use a scouring type bad with either denatured alcohol or Acetone (nail polish is a nice sub). Alcohol will often work fine, but some adhesives require something more agressive. Anything harsher will require testing to play it safe. If the surround is face mounted I use a chisel. Read about this and my jaw dropped, but tried it out and it worked awesome. Need to keep the beveled edge close to the cone surface, again to prevent potential digging, gouging the cone.

I replaced all my lytics with Erse poly caps. Since I didn't buy my speakers new I have no clue how the net sound changed, but I do know the improvement over the "aged" lytics was amazing.

As they say in college, better to ask stupid questions than to make stupid mistakes. That's what we have government officials for.

Final note, but some cheapo speakers to experiment with to get your nerve up, so to speak. Experimenting with something you can afford to lose makes things so much easier.
 
I would change every cap with modern film caps once you are there. I did it in my infinity Qb and they are sounding better than ever. If I were in a budget , I would leave the orig film caps, and just replace the 'lytics.

Measure resistors to be sure they are still OK.
 
elnaldo said:
I would change every cap with modern film caps once you are there. I did it in my infinity Qb and they are sounding better than ever. If I were in a budget , I would leave the orig film caps, and just replace the 'lytics.

Measure resistors to be sure they are still OK.
Click to expand...

Do you know how to decipher the film cap values? I can't!

These are RS6000's.

Thanks
 
Go for the 'lytics ....

Some cheap multimeters can measure capacitance up to 100uF ...

Rs 600! or rs6000 ???
 
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