HT1250 - intermittent volume pot

[g8tzl2004]

I have a HT1250 with an intermittent volume pot.

It looks like the intermittent is due to either a dirty or worn track around the area of the pot track which represents the "usual" volume level. The effect of the intermittent is that the volume level is jumping between the minium "quiet" level and the "normal" operating level.

As a temporary fix I have simply set the "minimum" volume level in CPS to the normal operating level...so the minimum volume level is now "loud"..thereby avoiding the part of the volume track which is intermittent!!!...although I can only alter the volume from loud to very loud!!! I actually set the minimum volume setting from 20 to 150.

Does anybody know if its possible to spray some switch cleaner into the pot...or is it likely that the track is actually worn and the whole pot needs replacing?

Thanks

[d119]

Replace the pot. I've seen lots of this type of thing in the HT750/1250 series. It's a :o to get the old pot out, it requires a lot of heat in just the right spot, and a lot of patience.

[escomm]

My biggest problem with the Waris volume pots is removing the upper left hand pin. I don't know if the juice flowing through that thing changes the chemistry of the solder a little bit or what, but every damn radio I work on that needs a new pot, that one is the biggest pain in the rear to take out. Takes as much time for that one as it does for the other 5.

[g8tzl2004]

Thanks.

Anybody know what's likely to be causing the intermittent volume around a small area of the pot track? Dirt build up or worn out track?

[d119]

It doesn't matter what's causing it, you can't get down into it far enough to clean it even with the physical switch removed from the radio, so just replace it.

[wiscomm]

By far the most common problem with these WARIS portables. Rarely do we not swap them out after 3 years.

PN: 1880619Z06

Craig

[wavetar]

My biggest problem with the Waris volume pots is removing the upper left hand pin. I don't know if the juice flowing through that thing changes the chemistry of the solder a little bit or what, but every damn radio I work on that needs a new pot, that one is the biggest pain in the rear to take out. Takes as much time for that one as it does for the other 5.

It's because it's the ground pin & it dissipates the heat quickly. 30 seconds of pre-heat from a low-flow Weller heat gun makes taking them out much easier. Start with the ground pin after heating, no problem. I don't have a board in front of me, so if it's not the ground pin, I can't say any of the other pins have given me any issue at all.

[com501]

Takes more time to take out the broken wayward alignment pin on occasion than desoldering the rest of the pot.

Good thing M started sending these in bags of 10....

[CircleBat]

don't forget to take the chip caps with you when you desolder the volume pot...lol...

Circlebat

[GlennD]

That is a real problem. Years ago when I first replaced a pot I creamed the one on the low side.

They are very tiny and right where you are working so be careful.

[com501]

Spent an extra half hour poking through the dead radio bin to find a spare cap, when that one came up missing....

[Scottp92]

How do you change the minimum volume on ht1250 via CPS? It was mentioned early in the topic but there was no elaboration. My 1250 is still basically default and no settings have really been changed, I have a 750 and another 1250 and the volume is much louder in them. Therefore I think I need to change some setting, otherwise does anyone have any other ideas as to why it is quieter than my others? Thanks for any help!

[g8tzl2004]

There is an option in the CPS to set the minimum and maximum volume levels. The lowest setting is "0" but it is common to set the minimum volume to more than zero in order to prevent the volume knob being turned down accidently and an important message then being missed.

When you check out the CPS you will soon find the relevant section for setting the min and max volume.

[Scottp92]

I am unable to locate that option. I'm using cps 6.12.05. Do you know what sub-menu it would be under?

[g8tzl2004]

I have the European version of the HT1250.

It looks like there is only a minimum volume adjust. The default setting on mine is 20. The min and max values are 0-255.

The minimum volume adjustment is found at:

Per Radio - Alerts - Volume - Minimum Radio Volume.

Most of the setting are to do with Alert levels but the Minimum Volume setting is at the end of all the Alert settings.

[Scottp92]

Thank you. Ill hook it up in a bit and report back.

[Scottp92]

I guess that setting is only on the European radios. Anyone know of a hack that will allow me to change it on an American model? I don't feel like paying 175 for my local dealer to change one setting.