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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB: The Classic Live Audio Board => Topic started by: John L Nobile on February 07, 2018, 12:51:09 PM

Title: Where to buy ferrofluid for HF driver
Post by: John L Nobile on February 07, 2018, 12:51:09 PM

I got the driver out of my MSL3. It's 25 years old and I did replace the diaphragm a couple of years ago. It's blown again and my impression is that the ferrofluid dried out and caused the damage. The driver is a JBL 2450J-1

I've looked it up and it appears that I need to clean out the old fluid and put in a bit of fresh fluid.

Does anyone know where I can get a small quantity of speaker grade ferrofluid.

Title: Re: Where to buy ferrofluid for HF driver
Post by: Chrysander 'C.R.' Young on February 07, 2018, 01:05:55 PM

https://www.parts-express.com/ferrofluid-100ul-general-purpose-for-1-diameter-vc--340-540?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

Title: Re: Where to buy ferrofluid for HF driver
Post by: Mark Oakley on February 07, 2018, 01:08:17 PM

I bought a used Adamson rig 15 years ago with EV DH1-A drivers. On the first few gigs, I went through 1 diaphragm per show. After adding ferrofluid to the driver gaps, I haven't lost one since. 

Parts Express has them in small amounts: https://www.parts-express.com/Search.aspx?keyword=ferrofluid&sitesearch=true

Or you could go right to the source: https://ferrofluid.ferrotec.com/products/ferrofluid-audio/

-Mark

Title: Re: Where to buy ferrofluid for HF driver
Post by: Ivan Beaver on February 07, 2018, 01:17:39 PM

Quote from: John L Nobile on February 07, 2018, 12:51:09 PM

I got the driver out of my MSL3. It's 25 years old and I did replace the diaphragm a couple of years ago. It's blown again and my impression is that the ferrofluid dried out and caused the damage. The driver is a JBL 2450J-1

I've looked it up and it appears that I need to clean out the old fluid and put in a bit of fresh fluid.

Does anyone know where I can get a small quantity of speaker grade ferrofluid.

There are a good number of different "types" of ferrofluid.

I have done testing, and different ones produce different results.

it is not "one size fits all".

There is also the chemical consideration.

Some ferrofluids attack different glues used in the driver assembly.  So you need to match the fluid with the glues used.

I have seen it attack dome materials as well.

I would hunt for the proper one, as used in the original.  Otherwise you are taking a chance on performance or damage.

Title: Re: Where to buy ferrofluid for HF driver
Post by: John L Nobile on February 07, 2018, 01:33:48 PM

Starting to sound like my love life..."It's complicated" :)

I've come across this

https://www.parts-express.com/ferrofluid-900ul-general-purpose-for-4-diameter-vc--340-546

They also have well priced diaphragms. Just hope I won't get dinged for customs.

I'm not driving the MSL3's hard. They see occasional use as sidewash or audience fill. They're heavy and large but they still sound great. 

Title: Re: Where to buy ferrofluid for HF driver
Post by: Matthew Knischewsky on February 07, 2018, 02:03:03 PM

Gerr Audio is distributing Meyer again in Canada. I've always had great service from Gerr, you could always try asking.

www.gerr.com