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Cat peed in my Amp
- Thread starter Off-Beat
- Start date
Litterboxes are fine, I've got one for every cat. The one I suspect does it out of protest, she pees on everything I spend time with that's not her. I guess she'd have to see a psychologist.
I extensively cleaned it with spirit. I could clean it with a special pcb cleaner at my workplace. It works. But it also worked before cleaning, the "screaming" sound came out of nowhere and I'm afraid it might come back.
If you are able to clean the boards in a timely way, you may be able to mitigate any damage. There are spray circuit washes that you can use.
The smell is something else. I once bought a cab that, unbeknownst to me when I bought it, was well treated with pee. I thought it was rat pee. I tried all my tricks to clean it but it won out. I wound up throwing it out.
Anyone remember that Seinfeld episode where Jerry's car reeked of BO? Nothing got the smell out. Some things are like that.
The smell is something else. I once bought a cab that, unbeknownst to me when I bought it, was well treated with pee. I thought it was rat pee. I tried all my tricks to clean it but it won out. I wound up throwing it out.
Anyone remember that Seinfeld episode where Jerry's car reeked of BO? Nothing got the smell out. Some things are like that.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,042
- 5
- 220,985
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Solvent (non-polar) based cleaning methods are not going to work when the contamination is based on a polar material. The cat pee's corrosive components are water soluble salts which are not affected by solvents. Aqueous cleaners are what's required, but it's almost impossible to remove the salts completely, especially after it sits for even a short time.
Ime, it will always suffer from a much higher rate of intermittent failure. I would not rely on it, not would I sell it without disclosure.
My number one fan happens to be my sisters dog. She always comes by whenever I play. I thinks she's my only fan...
Do you have a recommendation for a aqueos cleaner? I doubt you mean pouring high amounts of distilled water on it. I'll surely will not rely on it after what you've posted as it basically confirms my "fears".
I definately won't sell it, because it was also used as an scratching pole before, I doubt anyone would by it.
Cat pee is a complex solution. No question that salts can leech into the board, components, and metal surfaces and can make those surfaces conductive. You see this with some boards that have been saturated with the wrong products. There are water and alcohol washes that will remove salts. Ultrasonic baths can be used on some boards. It's knowing which one to use when that helps.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,042
- 5
- 220,985
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
As B-O-T (as opposed to BTO) mentioned, it's a complex solution. Unfortunately, just in the time the thread has developed, the damage is already pretty well along. I would guess that the more you mess with it, the sooner it will fail.
This is a common problem with somebody watering a potted plant sitting on or above an amp and the "soil juice"ends up on the PCB. Doesn't take long before the plating on the component leads fails and the corrosion happens at an alarming rate.
This is a common problem with somebody watering a potted plant sitting on or above an amp and the "soil juice"ends up on the PCB. Doesn't take long before the plating on the component leads fails and the corrosion happens at an alarming rate.
Also means cat just dgaf and thinks he's the sh*t, while thinking the owner is sh*t. Dominant f*cker.
Yes, it doesn't take long cause damage.
Cat 1, Amp 0. With slip cover, cat 0, amp 1.
Cat 1, Amp 0. With slip cover, cat 0, amp 1.
Do like Tektronix recommended for their scopes: take the circuit boards out and run them through the dishwasher....
We have a cat that in spite of being fixed and having a clean box, would spray in the house. Only one solution, she is now an outdoor cat going on 15. Still doing fine and doing her thing outside.
I can't help you much on the amp side, but a cat peeing on stuff can be either sign of 1) you're not cleaning the litter box enough or 2) something is wrong with your cat. A trip to the vet might be in order...
I have a cat. He is very good about using his boxes. I have many amps. They all have waterproof form-fitted covers, and I use them religiously.
Be proactive. You never can tell when they will lose their little kitty minds. Even the good ones.
Be proactive. You never can tell when they will lose their little kitty minds. Even the good ones.
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Sorry to hear the OPs story. And responding to some of the cat psychologists herein ... I have five cats, all rescues. They are well loved, and some of them even like my bass playing. But there's one in particular who's a real sh** when it comes to making her "mark" on gear, walls, and anything else that needs punishing. As you can see, she's quite disturbed:
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Strange thread about caps and PCB's and cat pee, Ya think?
Give the cat credit for message & method.
Give the cat credit for message & method.
