Rinsing out a Moth RCM?

I bought one of these machines around a month ago after putting it off for a few years. I'm impressed with how clean the records finish up and the sound is certainly improved. However after cleaning around 150 records so far there hasn't been a drop of liquid drain from the tap when I have turned it. Because the Moth gets so hot I'm guessing the fluid is evaporating before getting the chance to collect. Surely that means the dust and crud will be left to gather in the Record Cleaner and might even become a fire hazard due to the machines heat. I'm thinking of pouring water through the arm of the machine to rinse it out and would like to know if anyone has any ideas whether or not this is a sensible thing to do?

Hi. I have had one of these for a few years and have never had any liquid come out of the drain tap. As the the IPA record cleaning solution evaporates quickly, and the temperature doesn't get really high, I would be very surprised if there was any fire risk. Up to you whether you flush with water but I would suspect that it isn't strictly necessary. Cheers

I've noticed the Moth is almost too hot to touch at the top when in use for an hour or so. I cant help but think that it isn't good that the Record Cleaner doesn't drain when the tap etc is there for that purpose.

What sort of Moth is it? The Pro model has an air cooler system for the motor, the standard model doesn't. If you don't have the Pro, you shouldn't clean too many records in one session.
Since changing from Isopropyl cleaner to the l'art du son soap based one, I've had the occasional drop come out of the tap.
I've had my Moth for ten years and love it - it's definitely one of the best things I ever bought as a record collector, it's changed VG records to EX merely by cleaning out those dirty old grooves and clean records mean longer life for delicate and expensive MC cartridges!

I have the Pro version of the Moth and I guess although it does get hot it seems to stay at a consistent level. If both you and Adam_S have been using yours for years then my concern about a build up of dirt in the machine must not be that relevant. The Moth certainly opens options when buying second hand records as I wouldn't be put off buying Good condition records now.

Old thread I know, but having cleaned a few discs tonight I also wondered about the heat issue.
I've owned my Moth RCM since 2003, but it's only the last 3 years that I've really tackled disc cleaning on a more systematic basis.
Yes, the Moth RCM (without air cooling) does get hot, and I try to limit use to about an hour (4 or 5 discs). I've noticed that leaving the tap open reduces the vacuum effect, but definitely keeps it cooler.
Likewise, I've never had any liquid out of the tap, so about a year ago, like TOP Duplos, I deliberately poured water into it slowly to see if that would fill the reservoir. Well, it did. In fact it overflowed and so I had to dismantle it to ensure it dried out properly. That at least satisfied my curiosity and I now longer worry about water evaporation from the reservoir.

Despite all the fan boys for the plethora of machines out there, I don't really see how different vacuum machines vary all that much in practice. The key variables are the cleaning agents used; I use pure soap (Stardrops) and a long cold water rinse with a label clamp for really dirty records; then the usual distilled / isopropyl solution on the machine, and the original condition of the record. No machine will repair damaged grooves. Then two rounds if a record is really dirty.
However, I do find that most records need a thorough play to remove some groove noise (which I suspect is the final bits of detritus lifted from the bottom of the grooves).

muninman
However, I do find that most records need a thorough play to remove some groove noise (which I suspect is the final bits of detritus lifted from the bottom of the grooves).

I would completely agree with this. I have an original VPI Cyclone which is around 6 years old now. I have a very rigorous cleaning regime as well. Since I'm ripping everything, I play every side 3 times with the third one being the keeper. Playing does knock things lose. Many times the second spin is worse than the first for this reason. I received the advice to play each side 3 times, 20 or 30 years ago and have found out it really is good advice.

And I have the drain hose for the tank always open and going straight into a gallon water jug. It fills up every 9 to 10 months when I have to dump it out.

kurts.ear.candy
I received the advice to play each side 3 times, 20 or 30 years ago and have found out it really is good advice.

Very interesting, Kurts. It's good to know that others have experienced this too.

Hi Muninman, When I poured water into the arm of the rcm it did allow me to flush some of the crud out of the machine - it was a tricky, awkward procedure though. Was the resevoir easy to access when you opened the machine?

Sorry for the late reply, Duplos. Yes, relatively easy. I had looked inside once before because it blew several fuses, so I took it to the Moth headquarters (not that far from where I live) and watched Mike Harris (I believe is now dead, sadly) take it apart.
Once the bottom has been removed, the reservoir sits on the right hand side (from the front) and is actually quite small (about 1.5 litres I would guess). I dried it off with a towel and then let it air dry for quite a while.
I didn't notice any crud, but I expected to see something given that there must be dirt from the records in the machine somewhere. There again, my pure soap and long rinse probably removes most of the solid dirt before I use the machine.

I will never forget reading one of the music mags, NME I think, which recommended using pure soap and a long rinse in a bath or basin for dirty records. I tried it out on my dirtiest second-hand records and was amazed by the amount of grit at the bottom of the bath...

Hi Muninman, Thanks for the info. I am often surprised at the audio upgrade achieved after 2nd hand records are cleaned so I guess there can be quite a bit of dirt hidden in the grooves.

Recently got hold of a Moth RCM as well for an unbeatable price. Regarding groove noise, the previous owner told me that you should let the record dry for about 10 minutes after vacuuming. Workd fine so far for me. The extra plays were only necessary when I cleaned the records by hand with a cloth

I too own a Moth II cleaning machine. I bought mine directly from Mike Harris- sadly no longer with us- on the recommendation of Len Gregory (aka The Cartridge Man), who we also lost some five years ago. Len demoed his machine and stated the tank rarely filled for two reasons. One, the isopropyl normally evaporates. Two, the machine needs to be turned off after about 20 mins. of constant use as it tends to overheat. If you require replacement velvet pads, I believe they can be found here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182438016935?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11051.m43.l1123&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=cf0943c1fedb4856aaa70665b2511f50&bu=44219823162&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20250325123228&segname=11051

ealingrounder
I too own a Moth II cleaning machine. I bought mine directly from Mike Harris- sadly no longer with us- on the recommendation of Len Gregory (aka The Cartridge Man), who we also lost some five years ago. Len demoed his machine and stated the tank rarely filled for two reasons. One, the isopropyl normally evaporates. Two, the machine needs to be turned off after about 20 mins. of constant use as it tends to overheat. If you require replacement velvet pads, I believe they can be found here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182438016935?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11051.m43.l1123&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=cf0943c1fedb4856aaa70665b2511f50&bu=44219823162&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20250325123228&segname=11051

I bought some a year or so ago just to ensure the machine lasts as long as possible. They seem to be the real thing but not had to fix them on just yet.