Are some Moto plastic parts chemical unstable?

[Keygun]

Hi folks.

I noticed an strange phenomenon with some radios plastic parts (especially channel- and volume-knobs). This include radios like Jedi, Saber, MT1000, P200, HT800, aso. When they are not used for a while, at some time their normally black knobs are looking like they are slightly covered with a thin layer of dust or frosted. This white stuff can be removed with alcohol/water. But after some weeks it is back, when the radios are again not used.

We all know, that some Motorola rubber or plastic stuff dissolves so heavyly when it becomes older, that it almost turns back into grease or oil. But is this the beginning of the same thing?

Keygun

[N4KVE]

Hello. I also have noticed if I don't use my Jedi for a while the knobs turn white. I just rub my fingers on the knob and they look like new. No chemicals or anything but 3 weeks later & the knobs are white again. I don't think it's a chemical thing. 73's GARY N4KVE

[kb0nly]

I got the same problem on my HT-600's, i think its just the aging effects of the plastic.

I can do the same thing, clean em up, use a bit of armor all or similar to shine it all up nice, but it only lasts a month or so and they are white again.

[RadioSouth]

Yep, some of the plastic doesn't hold up. I've had a few Ht600 that when the knobs were turned they just fell apart. I also had a bunch of speaker mic's. that didn't hold up in a hot garage, the vinyl like strain reliefs on both ends of the cord just turned into what seemed like wet tar and didn't harden up again, quite a mess.

[ASTROMODAT]

Sounds like someone has athletes foot on their hands! Gross!

[kb0nly]

I had some H600's with the bad knob syndrome. Went to turn it on, the knob crumbled, went to change the channel, the knob crumbled.

But then plastic isn't meant to last forever.

[Cowthief]

Hello.

I have a 100% mil-spec JT-1000.
I had a standard model.
The mil-spec unit is made of better plastic.
The PC boards are all glass fiber epoxy.
Even the speaker is of better quality.
The knobs do not turn white, no matter how long the radio sits.
I am now looking for a UHF JT-1000 in normal bandsplit, to replace the insta-white model I sold, government model only.

[10-95]

Hey , you should see some of the Minitor 2's I took out of my storage building about a year ago, the monitor buttons had turned to goo! Maybe it's all part of M's master plan, sell the radios with unstable plastuc so that they will always have orders for replacement parts!

Frank

[Jim202]

[quote="10-95"]Hey , you should see some of the Minitor 2's I took out of my storage building about a year ago, the monitor buttons had turned to goo! Maybe it's all part of M's master plan, sell the radios with unstable plastuc so that they will always have orders for replacement parts!

Frank[/quote]


Your looking at the best corporation planning in the world. How else do you expect to stay number one in the eyes of the purchasing department. Produce the most expensive radio on the market, (they think that makes it better) make it last the shortest time possible, charge top price for the software to program the radios, (has to be good software if it cost this much) and tell the user it is no longer supported (now we need to purchase more radios).

Ah, what a way to stay top dog of the radio industry.

Jim

[Keygun]

Hey , you should see some of the Minitor 2's I took out of my storage building about a year ago, the monitor buttons had turned to goo!

Yes, in Germany they are called "BMD" but have the same problem. Also the volume knob of the good old Expo handheld. Almost oil after some years...

Keygun