Module insertion/removal lifespan?

[RockStarNick]

I know it's sort of a grim question, but how many times can you swap a module in/out/ before the contacts will start to get funky? Anything that can be done as preventative measures, or is the stuff able to be swapped quite a bit and be safe?



Just curious... it's probably a non-issue, but just figured I'd ask.

 

[guitarslinger]

24 times is it.

after that, you can send it to me.

 

[richedie]

I'll take it after 20. They usually go bad at that point.

Good question though

 

[Valtiel]

As far as I can tell, aside from cleaning the contacts with something like a pencil eraser from time to time, they should last indefinitely if treated properly.

 

[RockStarNick]

As far as I can tell, aside from cleaning the contacts with something like a pencil eraser from time to time, they should last indefinitely if treated properly.

See, that's what I figured. I guess the stories I'm reading over at the MTS forums are most likely from people just mistreating them, and jamming them in there.

That ain't my style. I'm gonna sweet talk my Eggy and warm her up before I go slidin' anything in. BOOOOOYAH!!!!!

 

[broknstuff]

That ain't my style. I'm gonna sweet talk my Eggy and warm her up before I go slidin' anything in. BOOOOOYAH!!!!!

Just like in sex, make sure you use lots of olive oil for lubrication*



*don't do what I just said in either situation

edit: In all seriousness, is there any maintenance that should be done, and if so roughly how often? Pencil eraser, never really heard of it?

 

[Jaded Faith]

As far as I can tell, aside from cleaning the contacts with something like a pencil eraser from time to time, they should last indefinitely if treated properly.

See, that's what I figured. I guess the stories I'm reading over at the MTS forums are most likely from people just mistreating them, and jamming them in there.

That ain't my style. I'm gonna sweet talk my Eggy and warm her up before I go slidin' anything in. BOOOOOYAH!!!!!

No, most of what you have read about over there are a handful of certain modules that had a different length section on the PCB where the contacts are. It wasn't a wear/tear thing, it was a little extra PCB that stopped it from making a good connection. Incidently, it's also a amp to amp and module to module thing. I had a single channel Eggie VX that was fine in my RM50 and RM100 but gave my RM4 fits. Bruce checked it out himself and it still was hit and miss in my RM4.

 

[guitarslinger]

I had a Randall Blackface that wouldn't connect correctly in my Dual Ch M4. It had the wrong length PCB that had been dremeled at Randall.

 

[Gino]

I work in the PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturing industry as an electrical engineer. Now that could mean nothing, but I deal with hardware like this on a daily basis and my humble opinion is that if the contacts ever get dirty (I'm not really sure why, but whatever.) then there would be nothing wrong with taking a Q-tip with some alcohol on it to clean the contacts. Wipe it dry or let it air dry, obviously, before plugging it in. Alcohol isn't conductive, but I just wouldn't dunk a module in any liquid and then stick it in my amp. The modules/connectors on the backplane of the MOD50 fit very snugly together and I'm willing to bet that the rating of that connector is probably higher than 10,000 connects/disconnects. In short, I don't see you outliving those connectors assuming you don't abuse the amp. Also, to any engineer, this would be an initial design concern and I am more than confident that Bruce took this into consideration very early in the design process. Consumer products have to be made "idiot proof" and you have to consider the worst abuse possible when designing something. Just ask Jeff how he breaks MOD50s in.

 

[EWSEthan]

I work in the PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturing industry as an electrical engineer. Now that could mean nothing, but I deal with hardware like this on a daily basis and my humble opinion is that if the contacts ever get dirty (I'm not really sure why, but whatever.) then there would be nothing wrong with taking a Q-tip with some alcohol on it to clean the contacts. Wipe it dry or let it air dry, obviously, before plugging it in. Alcohol isn't conductive, but I just wouldn't dunk a module in any liquid and then stick it in my amp. The modules/connectors on the backplane of the MOD50 fit very snugly together and I'm willing to bet that the rating of that connector is probably higher than 10,000 connects/disconnects. In short, I don't see you outliving those connectors assuming you don't abuse the amp. Also, to any engineer, this would be an initial design concern and I am more than confident that Bruce took this into consideration very early in the design process. Consumer products have to be made "idiot proof" and you have to consider the worst abuse possible when designing something. Just ask Jeff how he breaks MOD50s in.

Cool info. Thanks for this!

 

[RockStarNick]

Great post, Gino.

 

[MichaelG]

I work in the PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturing industry as an electrical engineer. Now that could mean nothing, but I deal with hardware like this on a daily basis and my humble opinion is that if the contacts ever get dirty (I'm not really sure why, but whatever.) then there would be nothing wrong with taking a Q-tip with some alcohol on it to clean the contacts. Wipe it dry or let it air dry, obviously, before plugging it in. Alcohol isn't conductive, but I just wouldn't dunk a module in any liquid and then stick it in my amp. The modules/connectors on the backplane of the MOD50 fit very snugly together and I'm willing to bet that the rating of that connector is probably higher than 10,000 connects/disconnects. In short, I don't see you outliving those connectors assuming you don't abuse the amp. Also, to any engineer, this would be an initial design concern and I am more than confident that Bruce took this into consideration very early in the design process. Consumer products have to be made "idiot proof" and you have to consider the worst abuse possible when designing something. Just ask Jeff how he breaks MOD50s in.

Cool info. Thanks for this!

Thanks Gino... interesting insight.

I'm not an electrical engineer but my even humbler opinion is that in the event that the contacts wear down, you could solder a skim coating of silver solder along what is left of the trace and give it some new life. Man... if I keep my Eggie and modules as long as I think I will that 10,000 insertions will be a concern. Guess I should stock up on olive oil.....

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

Ya my break in is what you call not of this earth!