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Tracker Bar Cleaning
By Spencer Chase

I'm sure this will be one of many divergent opinions about tracker bar
cleaning. My theory about tracker bar pumping is that it needs to be done
vigorously.  You are trying to dislodge and remove dust (and perfory if you
buy Keystone rolls) from the bleed and pouch area through a long
restrictive signal tube.  Sucking, especially gently, with a vacuum cleaner
may clean the tracker bar but may allow residue to remain and build up in
the pouch area.  There is a reason for the good old hand operated tracker
bar pump.  With a sharp tug, it can develop well over 120 wci of vacuum
over one or two tracker bar holes.  Since the volume and therefore the flow
rate are limited by the=20capacity of the pump, there is little chance of
damage unless the pouches are ready to fall apart anyway.  The best vacuum
cleaners develop about 60 wci of vacuum.  If a nozzel is fitted to the
vacuum cleaner, this would be a better way to clean the system than
nothing, but the old hand pump is still much better.  One word of warning.
Most vacuum cleaners cool their motors with the air that is drawn through
their suction hose.  If this is restricted (eg. by a nozzel) for a long
period, the motor can overheat and fail.



(Message sent Mon, 29 Jul 1996 00:09:27 -0700 (PDT) , from time zone -0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bar, Cleaning, Tracker