16mm pots?

[mhuss]

I need to replace some 16mm PC mount solid-shaft pots in a KMD. I'm not having much joy finding replacements, particularly the oddball values (single and dual 100k RA and 2K2 A).

Of the values I need, I can only find 22k A and B. I've looked at Mouser, Allied, Newark, and CE, even Digi-key..

Any suggestions? I'm about ready to deploy the "spray and pray."

[The Dude]

I usually try a good cleaning first, anyway. Why wouldn't you?

[Jon Snell]

These may help; https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/passi...747,4294568201

by 16mm you mean shaft length I presume.

[mhuss]

I have had mixed luck with pot cleaner, it usually gets rid of the noise 'now,' but not in the longer term. This is for a friend, so...

16mm is the diameter (vs. the more common 24mm), apparently a common size in 80's amps built in the UK.

[Jon Snell]

We always used the larger 1" diameter pots in the old days but Alps make a good variety of 3/4" or 16mm pots.
If you use a good quality contact cleaner and follow it up with contact grease, both are available in spray cans, you will get good results.

[pdf64]

Omeg were a common brand of pot in UK made stuff (eg Session amps), you may be able to get them via Farnell / Newark in North America, or if you’re really stuck, they used to do custom batches of only 10 pieces!
The 20mm dia p20 range are more common, but they have a p16 16mm dia too
https://www.omeg.co.uk/potentiometers/unswitched/p16/

[mhuss]

Unfortuately, I can't find Omeg *pots* on the Newark site or Farnell's export site. I've sent them an inquiry.

Aside: My Biacrown 80's Hiwatt head had Omeg pots in it, and I had a frustrating search a few years ago when I needed to replace them.

[Mick Bailey]

I use Kontakt PR quite a lot on pots. The effects are long-lasting and my own Sessionette has remained crackle and dropout-free for over 10 years now and these amps suffer badly from pot troubles. They're Omeg pots in my amp. I usually find if Kontakt doesn't work the pot is bad to the extent where no mount of cleaning/lube will fix it. If you over-clean then the shaft grease will be removed or altered and the rotational damping will be reduced. I use partially evaporated chain lube thickened up to just about migrate between the pot shaft and bushing to fix this and again the effects are long lasting. I also have a jar of the correct damping grease for pot rebuilds, but I like the chain lube better.