Note to self: Denatured alcohol and carburetor cleaner as well as acetone based nail polish and non acetone based nail polish are good for cleaning circuit boards, but the acetone based nail polish and the acetone based nail polish (AT LEAST) will soften any plastic that it comes into contact with. These solvents can often be reused to clean another circuit board later on if need be.
I considered using raw isopropanol in my (similarly cheap) ultrasonic cleaner but chickened out because of fire risk. I ended diluting the isopropanol to about 40% and added a couple of drops of dish soap. Worked fine. Good advice about keeping the solvent level below the mechanical components, I messed up a toggle switch when trying to clean flux with solvent - needed lots of flushing out before it came good again.
Yes, water is only bad if there is electricity. Almost all PCBs in products have had a "wash" step. I always let everything dry a day or too before powering it up.
Not supposed to lay components on the bottom directly, not supposed to have such a low fluid level, not supposed to use flammable liquids, lots of things are dangerous in the video for various reasons
1. Alcohol vapors are flammable. 2. Ultrasonic cleaners, especially if the fluid level gets too low, tend to aerosolize some of the liquid, which then evaporates quickly forming vapor. (Think ultrasonic humidifiers.) 3. Ultrasonic cleaners normally heat the liquid, too. Hot alcohol evaporates way faster. 4. The sheer amount of alcohol needed to fill an ultrasonic cleaner big enough for even modest size boards is significant. 5. Standard ultrasonic cleaners use normal switches, timers, and thermostats that cause sparks when switching. This could ignite alcohol vapors. The upshot is that it’s a fire risk. They make special ultrasonic cleaners for use with solvents. But often it’s not necessary to use a full-alcohol bath anyway. One thing people do is to put the board into a small container or plastic bag and put alcohol inside the bag. Then you put the bag in the ultrasonic bath full of water. Not only is this far cheaper, it’s far safer. Another option is to use a bath composed of a blend of alcohol and water. The alcohol will still do its job, but the fire risk is reduced. (This is how windshield washer fluid works.) And finally, they make water-based cleaning products for circuit boards, specifically for use in ultrasonic cleaners.
Yeah, I'm not normally someone concerned over safety issues, but this just doesn't seem like a good idea. Flux off works just fine, and I've found Micro Care's cleaners to be even more effective still.
@@ElationProductions Ultrasonic is really good for getting flux out from hard to clean nooks, like under SMD parts, where you can’t get a brush in to scrub. But I wouldn’t fill a whole ultrasonic cleaner with solvent to do it! :P
The easy way usually implies things that all of us have in our houses i think.
Who??
I got an ultrasound machine that I bought for cleaning my glasses, jewel and a permanent water filter ... so that video is perfect for my situation
Great done 👍
Great
Did you say, “rinse it off in the sink” with water?
Yeah. Nothing wrong with water, though it should be distilled/deionized water, not tap water.
Note to self: Denatured alcohol and carburetor cleaner as well as acetone based nail polish and non acetone based nail polish are good for cleaning circuit boards, but the acetone based nail polish and the acetone based nail polish (AT LEAST) will soften any plastic that it comes into contact with. These solvents can often be reused to clean another circuit board later on if need be.
I considered using raw isopropanol in my (similarly cheap) ultrasonic cleaner but chickened out because of fire risk. I ended diluting the isopropanol to about 40% and added a couple of drops of dish soap. Worked fine.
Good advice about keeping the solvent level below the mechanical components, I messed up a toggle switch when trying to clean flux with solvent - needed lots of flushing out before it came good again.
can i use my dad's beer?
yes you can. higly recommended with grilled meat
@@walangpinag2765 wow nice
How does 91% Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning PCB's?
Works great, extra flammable. Be sure to only use it outside away form sources of ignition.
@@Recklessexperimentationaudio ---Thanks!
I'm afraid to see the hard way.
gas is a solvent so i guess itd work lol
You rinse it off in the sink????
Yes, water is only bad if there is electricity. Almost all PCBs in products have had a "wash" step. I always let everything dry a day or too before powering it up.
@@Recklessexperimentationaudio yeah I get it.. just seems needless is all.. water could get trapped and lead to corrosion.. and for what benefit?
I just wanted to reach through the video to remove the film from the amp clamp's display.
I think I'll use a toothbrush and surgical spirits.
where did you buy that special AC outlet plug clamp stuff? The stuff which magnetic clamps connects to.
Where everyone get everything: Amazon. Just search for "Amp Clamp". Search for "Amp Clamp Line Splitter" for the plug adapter
Or eBay
Not supposed to lay components on the bottom directly, not supposed to have such a low fluid level, not supposed to use flammable liquids, lots of things are dangerous in the video for various reasons
I use Coca-Cola.
Dang ... I'll try it, that could be a game changer
Flux Off dangerous??! I’m buying one of these ultrasonic things!! Thanks!
No more dangerous then the denatured alcohol in an ultrasonic.
So I’m not sure running your board under water is a smart idea.
it is, just make sure to thoroughly dry before using the board. we use it at a factory
I still don't understand why they recommend against alcohol in an ultrasonic cleaner. I think some of the folks in this industry are fear mongers.
1. Alcohol vapors are flammable.
2. Ultrasonic cleaners, especially if the fluid level gets too low, tend to aerosolize some of the liquid, which then evaporates quickly forming vapor. (Think ultrasonic humidifiers.)
3. Ultrasonic cleaners normally heat the liquid, too. Hot alcohol evaporates way faster.
4. The sheer amount of alcohol needed to fill an ultrasonic cleaner big enough for even modest size boards is significant.
5. Standard ultrasonic cleaners use normal switches, timers, and thermostats that cause sparks when switching. This could ignite alcohol vapors.
The upshot is that it’s a fire risk. They make special ultrasonic cleaners for use with solvents. But often it’s not necessary to use a full-alcohol bath anyway. One thing people do is to put the board into a small container or plastic bag and put alcohol inside the bag. Then you put the bag in the ultrasonic bath full of water. Not only is this far cheaper, it’s far safer. Another option is to use a bath composed of a blend of alcohol and water. The alcohol will still do its job, but the fire risk is reduced. (This is how windshield washer fluid works.) And finally, they make water-based cleaning products for circuit boards, specifically for use in ultrasonic cleaners.
Yeah, I'm not normally someone concerned over safety issues, but this just doesn't seem like a good idea. Flux off works just fine, and I've found Micro Care's cleaners to be even more effective still.
@@ElationProductions Ultrasonic is really good for getting flux out from hard to clean nooks, like under SMD parts, where you can’t get a brush in to scrub. But I wouldn’t fill a whole ultrasonic cleaner with solvent to do it! :P