Problems with Okki Nokki - cleaning introduces crackle etc.

[sebhoff]

Hi all,
I'm having some trouble with my new Okki Nokki and I'm wondering whether some more experienced users could give me some hints. There are three points - but first one is the really important one...

1. Up until now, I used it on records that clearly needed cleaning - and that's what the machine certainly managed to do. Sound-wise, I noticed an improvement, too - but as I said, these were basically records that were bought at car boot sales and that were rather dirty. Now I tried it out on a record in mint condition. Before cleaning it, there were virtually no ticks or other noises present when I played the record. Afterwards, the situation was unfortunately very different - there were very clear crackling noises that were therefore introduced by the cleaning process. I ran the vacuum for a maximum of 2 rotations and otherwise followed the instructions as set out in the manual to the point.
What is going on? I cannot possibly imagine that this is the way it should be?

2. I'm having some trouble draining the cleaning liquid from the machine. I have followed the instructions in the manual, but the liquid flows extremely slowly through the tube. I have resorted to propping up the machine and leaving it alone for a while, but when I return (10-15 minutes later), there's still a very slow trickle of individual drops coming from the tube. At no time does the liquid come out in any greater quantities - not even at the very beginning. It feels as if it went through a filter of some sorts. Is there any obstruction?

3. After having cleaned two or three sides, the machine usually leaves a noticeable trace of liquid remaining at the outer edge of the record (and only there) - maybe about a square centimeter in size or slightly bigger. I can get rid of this by vacuuming this part of the record a second time, but this is not according to the manual, since I'm now basically vacuuming a largely dry record. Given that the remaining patch of liquid is only in one position, does this suggest that the strips may be faulty (or improperly mounted)? Or is it OK to perform a second vacuum for this spot alone? (BTW, I also felt that the crackling introduced on the formerly mint record was particularly bad where the liquid had not been fully removed by the machine).

As I said, the first point is most important. I suppose that the crackling noise is not the result of physical damage, so I'm hoping to get rid of it again.
I also wrote to the manufacturer but haven't heard from them yet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Sebastian

[Ottermel]

As to point No.1: This may probably be just static electricity that built up during the washing of the record. Try static eliminator products and see if it makes a difference.

[Dinohyus Hollandi]

As to no. 2: there is very little fluid coming out of my machine too (that sounds kind of weird but it's true nonetheless). I guess a lot just evaporates before you get to drain it.

No. 3: I see the same thing happening and it's probably caused by the foam strips on the vacuum arm getting saturated with cleaning fluid. I just dry them off with a paper towel and then it's fine again.

[sebhoff]

As to point No.1: This may probably be just static electricity that built up during the washing of the record. Try static eliminator products and see if it makes a difference.

OK - thanks. Yes, it must be static electricity - it's certainly not physical damage. Will search round for tips on how to get rid of it - but if I remember correctly, that isn't very easy...

[sebhoff]

As to no. 2: there is very little fluid coming out of my machine too (that sounds kind of weird but it's true nonetheless). I guess a lot just evaporates before you get to drain it.

Well, with the help of a torch I can see that there is water in the tank. There's even quite a bit left when the trickle finally stops.

[brianmch]

As to point No.1: This may probably be just static electricity that built up during the washing of the record. Try static eliminator products and see if it makes a difference.

OK - thanks. Yes, it must be static electricity - it's certainly not physical damage. Will search round for tips on how to get rid of it - but if I remember correctly, that isn't very easy...

A Zerostat is effective at removing static, as is static guard sprayed in the general vicinity and allowed to settle/evaporate/whatever before spinning. I use the static guard method and keep the spray away from settling on my rig and record to be played.

[sebhoff]

A Zerostat is effective at removing static, as is static guard sprayed in the general vicinity and allowed to settle/evaporate/whatever before spinning. I use the static guard method and keep the spray away from settling on my rig and record to be played.

The more I read, the more frustrated I get.
In a German forum, this question has been discussed in detail and while there are about 20 different opinions on what causes it (and just as many solutions that don't work, it seems), there appears to be general agreement that it is *not* static electricity.
Mhm.

[Rustyhook]

I had the same problem with point 2. The drainage tube is being blocked by a build up of slim/waste.To clear it I took the radical step of placing my mouth on the waste tube and blowing into it, so you can hear bubbling, and then let the fluid waste flow. Try to avoid swallowing the fluid. I had a large amount of slim then flow through the tube. I had to do this several times to get a good flow going. I also added some water into the hole where the cleaning arm goes to assist with the flow through.
My flow started to slow to a trickle after I had been using L'ARTduSON, which is a great cleaner, but I feel tends to create this slim.
I now flush out with the above method after every cleaning session.
The other alternative is to tip the unit on its side over a sink so the waste fluid can run out the hole the cleaning arm goes into. This will get rid of your waste build up in the tank but might not clear the entry into the waste tube.

[sebhoff]

I had the same problem with point 2. The drainage tube is being blocked by a build up of slim/waste.

Thanks for your response - will try. It's just that this is a brand-new item (or at least I hope so) and it was like that from the very beginning, so I had suspected it must be a problem with the way the tube is placed inside the machine. But I'll see...

Sebastian

[rolleye]

I've had my Okki Nokki rcm for two/three years and it has suffered from points 2 and 3 almost continuously since it was new.
I've tried to unnblock? the drain tube without succes so after each use i use a paper towel to soak up any excess cleaner and then run the vacuum pump for 30 seconds which seems to dry up any remaining fluid in the collection tank? through evaporation.
I don't find point 3 a major problem and like others use a paper towel to remove any remaining cleaning fluid from the disc surface, otherwise the rcm does what its meant to do

[Dinohyus Hollandi]

There's no slime in my machine, not even after extended cleaning sessions. When emptying the reservoir I also tip the machine all the way onto its side to drain every last bit of fluid, but it still isn't all that much.
No.1 is not something I have experienced. Have you tried cleaning fluids other than the Okki Nokki fluid? Does that alleviate the ticks and pops-problem?

[sebhoff]

Have you tried cleaning fluids other than the Okki Nokki fluid? Does that alleviate the ticks and pops-problem?

I've used the bottle of LADS that came with my Okki Nokki. I was going to try the ON fluid, too, but haven't got round to that yet. Maybe tonight.

[ecosse_011172]

I'm having exactly the same problem as 1)
I buy new records which sound wonderful with no background noise but maybe have some little bits of packaging on them so I give them a clean with Okki Nokki, now they look clean but have tons of crackling.

My Okki Nokki seems to have ruined a beautiful new copy of Summerteeth by WIlco and I daren't use it again.

Using my antistat gun makes no difference at all, I have checked that the velour parts are clean (the machine has been used very little) and I'm using distilled water with L'art du son and the Mobile Fidelity Cleaning Brush.

Help!

[kelvinMunson]

I have cleaned several hundred records, new as well as old, with my Okki Nokki and never had a problem with background noise. I can't really see how applying a suction (which is basically all the Okki Nokki is doing) can cause the problem.

I have always use a home brew of distilled and isopropyl, (having learned of problems users were having with the fluid provided by Disco Antistatic, which left a residue ). I have not tried the Okki Nokki fluid nor L'art du son.

Could it be that the cleaning fluid is leaving a residue; are you rinsing with distilled after cleaning ? Have you tried cleaning with distilled water alone ?