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    Cleaning electronic equipment

    When opening up electronics devices and before repairing what do you guys use to clean the unit? Is it a vacuum, brush, or compressed air? When fixing cd players I guess compressed air is a no no since we don't want any debris to blow on to the cd pickup.

    #2
    Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

    Depends on how dirty it is, compressed air is usually enough but the really filthy systems gets a bath...

    https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7413
    https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1463
    Last edited by Per Hansson; 01-04-2013, 05:45 AM.
    "The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it."

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      #3
      Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

      When using the compressed air all the debris fly's all over. Is there a vacuum for cleaning sensitive electronic equipment?

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

        Brush and compressed air/blower.
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          #5
          Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

          Originally posted by johnnydiaz View Post
          When using the compressed air all the debris fly's all over. Is there a vacuum for cleaning sensitive electronic equipment?
          I do it outside
          "The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it."

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            #6
            Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

            If I give a circuit board a bath to clean it up will it damage any of the components? Do I just put it in a bucket of water and leave it for a while?

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              #7
              Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

              You shouldn't use water.

              Worst case, use distilled water. Plain water can leave impurities and cause shorts.

              I've seen service tech remove cigar smoke and other crap using a mix of distilled water and a mild dish detergent (low amount of liquid detergent in a big amount of distilled water).

              Then wash the whole board again in isopropyl alcohol then let it dry. Maybe use a hair drier to gently warm the whole board and get it dry faster.

              later edit:

              Here's a good video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...DZFGQlA#t=861s

              He uses liquid detergent and afterwards he rinses the boards in lots of distilled water. But those boards are usually all through hole, with large spaces between traces. With more miniaturized and surface mount stuff, I'd really push for a bath in isopropyl alcohol.
              Last edited by mariushm; 02-18-2013, 06:11 PM.

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                #8
                Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

                Water is fine if you dry out equipment, the impurities go with the water. Just as long as power isn't applied or calcification occurs, among other things. I've done it a few times with no ill effect. Detergent is a good idea but isn't necessary.
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                  #9
                  Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

                  For my stuff, I used a paint brush that was dampened with a tiny bit of water.
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                    #10
                    Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

                    Originally posted by Per Hansson View Post
                    Depends on how dirty it is, compressed air is usually enough but the really filthy systems gets a bath...

                    https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7413
                    https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1463
                    Didn't relize the trouble grime could cause. I have a y-main that has spongy sticky pads between it and the panel. The heat caused something in the pads to leach out over the board and leave a sticky mess. Now I know how to clean it. More good info from Badcaps.

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                      #11
                      Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

                      Originally posted by johnnydiaz View Post
                      When using the compressed air all the debris fly's all over. Is there a vacuum for cleaning sensitive electronic equipment?
                      Naturally there is special vacuum cleaners, which they get used mostly for cleaning photocopiers, which are capable to retain even the smallest particles,
                      but the price of the filter when it needs to be replaced it is extremely expensive.

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                        #12
                        Re: Cleaning electronic equipment

                        There aren't enough impurities in non-distilled water to cause shorts once it is dry, BUT many manufacturers today use a water based flux and residue from that is left behind so no matter what you use, don't leave droplets of water behind to dry into a concentrated pool of flux as that leeches metal away from component leads and traces creating a short.

                        How you clean depends on how dirty, what kind of dirt, and what the part is. If trying to get cigarette tar off for example, I find it is necessary to use very hot water and a lot of detergent, or an ammonia based cleaner like Mr. Clean. However if you use these and have mechanical parts that are greased, you may need to reapply grease later.

                        Otherwise it depends on how clean you need it to be. Is it only a matter of removing large dust particles for cooling purposes, making it look shiny-new for resale, or just getting the electrical contacts clean because they were fouled? Consider the volume of parts you will clean, usually there's something in a well stocked kitchen or laundry room that will clean a few boards rather than buying something special, though out in the field one is often limited to compressed air and contact cleaner spray since they are the most portable and make the least mess, yet they can be the most expensive and least thorough.

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