brittle wires in an old console

[QUEEF BAG]

OK  i am replacing a bunch of switches in a 38 year old console.  yea!

my question is about wire  -  ugly & corroded between the solder and insulation where it is connected to lugs.
it is also stiff, from it's soldered end back a few inches, then gets more flexible.
a few wires are discolored and stiff, cooked by heat.

didn't see a lot of info with a search, so i'll ask...it should be relevant to many.

in typical mil spec wiring, there is enough service loop for three repairs in the field i have a little to work with.

most wires i am shortening by a half inch to almost a couple inches, depending on how much slack is available.
should i even bother unless there are broken strands?  the newly exposed strands are not particularly clean, and
solder is reluctantly accepted by the strands.

the wires come out of a rather intense loom.  as a result, replacing wires is not on the list of things i am likely to do soon .
splices do not seem appealing

i do want the console to work solidly and sound the best it can,  small iotas of improvement are as welcome as big ones in my mind.

so... what are your thoughts?

 

[PRR]

If the copper isn't eaten away, leave it long.

Stiffness is very possibly capillary solder or flux.

The copper or tinning won't take solder after decades. You need to clean. Try liquid flux. Try a mild abrasive, even tothpaste between your fingers.

 

[djn111]

For cleaning I use a glass fibre brush, with very good results.

(http://www.baco-army-goods.nl/gereedschap-soldeer/fiberpen-glasvezel-borsteltje.html)

DJN

 

[RATMNL]

would that one work for cleaning the bottom of pcb's as well?
looks like a pretty nice tool if so.

Regards,

Mark

 

[djn111]

Hi, I never tried it, but why not, test it in a little corner.

I also use it on vintage parts when the solder points are a little bit corroded, and I want to use them.

The nice thing is a little bit of the glass fibre will come of, but is easily removed and not conductive

DJN

 

[QUEEF BAG]

thanks for the info!   

paul-some of the wires are stiff for about 3" back from the solder point, probably not capillary action at that length.

guess i'll leave 'em unless some individual strands are starting to crack or break.

 

[hobiesound]

i use the exact same brushes from the exact same shop.... however i always get those loose fibers stuck in my fingers. Feels even worse than a steel splinter sometimes, so i usually wear latex gloves when using them.

greetings,

Thomas