How to take apart enclosure on Altec lansing VS2221

[Eaulive]

I've been using an old Rat Shack TV tuner cleaner spray that I've had forever - works great.

Still waiting to hear from Altec Lansing !!!

I've been using WD-40 for decades, to clean contacts there's nothing better.

[quickcurrent]

My computer speakers for about 15 years have been Altec Lansing ACS54. Some of the best little computer 4.1 speakers I've heard. The sub woofer is a gas!

Sorry you bought a shitty set, I love my Altec Lansing computer speakers!

Were yours made by the former company perhaps?

4.1 speakers, I've never heard of, did you mean 5.1 (i.e. 6 speakers including the sub woofer)?

I recently picked up a set of 5.1 Logitechs for another computer that sound very nice and are highly rated. We'll see how those stand the test of time!

[quickcurrent]

I've been using WD-40 for decades, to clean contacts there's nothing better.

You need to be careful not to get WD40 on other electronics though, that could short things out because it stays greasy for a long time. I'd dread the idea of having used that on my speaker as I had to spray blindly, so I needed something that would dry out completely before putting them back in service. But, if used carefully and only where needed, I can see that doing a good job.

[Eaulive]

You need to be careful not to get WD40 on other electronics though, that could short things out because it stays greasy for a long time. I'd dread the idea of having used that on my speaker as I had to spray blindly, so I needed something that would dry out completely before putting them back in service. But, if used carefully and only where needed, I can see that doing a good job.

Not at all. WD40 is absolutely not conductive, it even has insulating properties.
In the good old days of spark plugs and rotor/distributor system, when you had bad wiring and your car didn't start in a damp morning because sparks were jumping all over the place, just spray WD40 all over and inside the distributor!
No more spark jump.

I sprayed WD 40 on HV sections of PWM power supplies, HV ballasts and igniters for HMI lamps, no problem.

In the Dominican Republic we spray it on all the PC boards to prevent corrosion from saline air, no problem.
Just don't spray it on belts, magnetic heads, VTR drums, laser pickup lenses or anything that's mechanical.

Some alcohol based sprays are very conductive until they dry out, you can spray WD40 on powered equipment without fear.

[quickcurrent]

Just did some reading on that application for WD40.

The manufacturer does not list electronics as an application.

Other discussion forums discourage such use because of:

1) its flammability,
2) its propensity to leave behind a film that attracts dirt over time, and
3) its propensity to attack some plastics.

There may be others as well.

I use WD40 for a lot of things, but have always feared using it on electronics. That is not to say that it cannot be used successfully, I personally would prefer to use a different product on electronics, preferably one that uses some type of alcohol to evaporate thoroughly.

[JeffW]

Were yours made by the former company perhaps?

4.1 speakers, I've never heard of, did you mean 5.1 (i.e. 6 speakers including the sub woofer)?

I recently picked up a set of 5.1 Logitechs for another computer that sound very nice and are highly rated. We'll see how those stand the test of time!

FL, FR, RL, RR, Sub.

4 speakers and a sub. I'm pretty sure it calls it 4.1 in the Soundblaster setup window, but I can look.

I don't know what company built them, they say "Altec Lansing" IIRC.

http://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing-.../dp/B00000JBJY

[Eaulive]

Other discussion forums discourage such use because of:

1) its flammability,

True, but I don't know too much electronics stuff that uses open flames.

1) its propensity to leave behind a film that attracts dirt over time,

Also true, but like I said, when you have the choice between cleaning a dirty PC board or scrapping the equipment after 6 months because the copper has dissapeared from the board because of corrosion, the choice is easy

and
3) its propensity to attack some plastics.

Never noticed this though, and I sprayed a lot of this stuff in my life.

[quickcurrent]

FL, FR, RL, RR, Sub.

4 speakers and a sub. I'm pretty sure it calls it 4.1 in the Soundblaster setup window, but I can look.

I don't know what company built them, they say "Altec Lansing" IIRC.

http://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing-.../dp/B00000JBJY

Yes, that would be 4.1, four speakers (the 4) and a sub (the .1), I just never heard of that before, it's 5.1 without the center (or voice) speaker.

[quickcurrent]

True, but I don't know too much electronics stuff that uses open flames.


Also true, but like I said, when you have the choice between cleaning a dirty PC board or scrapping the equipment after 6 months because the copper has dissapeared from the board because of corrosion, the choice is easy


Never noticed this though, and I sprayed a lot of this stuff in my life.

Hey bud, I'm just posting what I read for the digestion and benefit of those reading this thread that may not have looked for the info.

I just prefer to play it safe with those products. Electronics can get pretty hot, why take chances, when there are safe products to use.

I've also heard of people using synthetic rustproofing (auto undercoating) materials to clean their auto electronics/electricals. I prefer not to follow suit, but it may work for some people. I have used WD40 on carburetors in the past as a water displacement (what the WD stands for) agent but that's different.

If it works for you, great.

[jtara]

Hi. I have the same trouble as you. After you get of those 4 screws from the bottom, you need to get of the protection of the speakers (i used a knife ) and underneath there is 6 more screws you have to take them off and it will come out very easily. Remove the plastic cover of the volume potentiometer. Use a spay for cleaning contacts (an ex. WD-40) on the volume and turn the button back and forward 5 minutes, then let it for 1 hour to evaporate. And plug it in to power and give it a shot.