[i_love_hina]

As shown in pic.

Just wondering because I threw mine away and wanted to know if that was bad. 8()

 

[PowerPaul86]

The cap prevents dust and other dirt from getting inside the jack.

 

[wenhui]

So if the cap is lost/taken off is there any other way to clean the jack safely? Compressed air maybe? What about fluid cleaners?

 

[miloxo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPaul86 The cap prevents dust and other dirt from getting inside the jack.

But why only for the optical, and not for the 3.5mm jacks?

 

[krmathis]

Dust covering...

Since dust particles can interfere with the optical light.

 

[PowerPaul86]

Quote:

Originally Posted by miloxo /img/forum/go_quote.gif But why only for the optical, and not for the 3.5mm jacks?

Short answer: The 3.5mm jacks are not as sensitive as the optical jack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wenhui So if the cap is lost/taken off is there any other way to clean the jack safely? Compressed air maybe? What about fluid cleaners?

I would be very careful when you want to clean the optical jack.
Are you sure that there is really any dust or dirt in there that interfere or disturb the signal?

If anything I would puff and blow with caution at the connector and would try to talk you out of using any fluid cleaners.

 

[wenhui]

Right. Thanks for that bit of info

 

[moogoob]

Most (like on a typical DVD player, or a typical external DAC) have a little flap that flips out of the way. Apparently they couldn't fit one of that type/size on the sound card.

 

[linuxworks]

older style toslinks have the losable cap. new style (started seeing them 5-10 yrs ago) has a hinge and no separate cap.

you can buy parts, today, in both styles. its just style.

you don't have to clean anything. I've never known a toslink to notice dust unless you have so much that you can't even breathe in your location

electrical connections are not optical and so dust does not matter.

 

[rosgr63]

linuxworks how can you fit the new type hinged cap?

 

[linuxworks]

you don't swap the caps, you swap the whole module and the hinge/cover is either part of it or it is the old style.

usually the same brand follows the same footprint for wire layout on the part. but be sure you get the 5v part if 5v or 3v part if 3v (toslink comes in 2 styles of voltages).

 

[Mad Max]

If you don't have the cap anymore, put some tape or something at least to cover it up when not in use. Clean it first, though, very carefully and no fluids.

 

[linuxworks]

I've left some capless spdif ports open for years. some old equip didn't have caps and was left on on shelves or in boxes. years later, blew some compressed air (lightly) and all is fine.

its not really that critical. its not a dot-fine focus, the sensor is actually quite large and even angle alignment is not critical. all by design.

 

[Armaegis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPaul86 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If anything I would puff and blow with caution at the connector and would try to talk you out of using any fluid cleaners.

Blowing generally isn't a good way to clean any sort of electronics since there's a lot of moisture in your breath.

 

[rosgr63]

Can try a blower used for camera lenses.

linuxworks who make Toslink modules?
Thanks