Mixer troubles, kindly advise

[DavidK]

Hi Kids,

my mixer died. Hold me I think my cat pissed in it, seriously

My mixer is A SpiritFolioF1. I know zilch about electronics: is there something in there like a fuse that would burn out? Can I do this myself?

It wasnt that expensive, not worth taking it it. Can I just pry the thing open and look around? What am I lookin for ( besides cat piss )

 

[apl]

Urine is highly conductive and may have simply shorted something out. It may work again after it dries but it will smell. You can open it up and look for the fuses, probably the old car style, glass tubes with metal ends. Does the power come on at all? If it lights up then the fuses are OK.

 

[DavidK]

Thanks apl;

No lights. This happened a long time ago so drying out is not gonna happen. I had given up on it but thought I would try fixing it before I trash it. I am assuming I wont fly accross the room if I open it and mess around?

 

[apl]

I am assuming I wont fly accross the room if I open it and mess around?

As long as it's not plugged in and you're not one of those Harry Potter types, you should be fine.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

If you get no joy here David I'd recommend posting a thread here:

http://www.prodigy-pro.com/forum/

In the main the peeps that frequent that forum are a very cool and very knowledgeable bunch and I'm sure you'd get some help.

I don't have much electronics knowledge at all (I just started learning) but I would say time is of the essence. Cat pee is pretty caustic and I suspect it will corrode the circuit board and possibly a few components the longer you leave it.

Good luck in rescuing your mixer (it must stink ).

 

[soundchaser59]

You didn't say if it was powered on when the cat peed on it? Is the cat sterile now? LOL!!

Yeah, it's corrosive in some way. May have etched new pathways on the circuit board, allowing electricity to boldy go where no cat piss has gone before.

Some of the smaller mixers are constructed from modules and surface mount stuff. You may be able to get a whole circuit board from Soundcraft parts. A lot of those things will just snap in place, then you reattach a few wire connectors, etc.

Sometimes you can use contact cleaner to spray the insides clean, but ask the techies first because some surface mount stuff does not hold up to contact cleaner, depends what it's made of. And some contact cleaners are made specifically to prevent damage to these types of components.

Sometimes you can just rinse it with distilled water (unplugged, obviously!) and let it dry completely in front of the heat vent in your room. That may reveal some damage or maybe clean the short and allow it to start working. But be careful, I'm sure water of any kind is not good for pots and faders and things....

But there is also a similar one on ebay for $150, might be easier to just replace it, if the cost of the part is about the same that's what I would do.