DimensionDude
Experienced Member
Hi all,
I've seen a few posts about cleaning pc boards, I'd like to relate how I do it.
I work in a food processing plant where the electronic devices can get rather nasty. Hot and cold temperature cycles and very high humidity promote mold and mildew inside closed cabinets. Breader (flour) dust infiltrates every nook and cranny. And of course the condensation on the boards leads to erratic machines.
What do I use to clean this mess? Soap and water, believe it or not. The boards are usually easily removed, and hot water, soap and a toothbrush is just the ticket. After the bath, I lay some paper towels on a hard surface and tap the edges of the board on it to drive the water out from under the components. A few judicious shots of aerosol contact cleaner for the really stubborn water droplets and then a good session with a hair dryer and the board is good as new.
When a replacement circuit board can cost upwards of $5,000 US we do what we can to keep what we have going. I can think of only one failure in 10 years and that was because I sprayed a board with contact cleaner under power. :roll: It had a bipolar 15vdc supply so I thought it was safe. Guess I was wrong. Although, it was kinda cool to watch a $150 load cell pre-amp actually go up in flames. :twisted: I didn't tell the manager how cool it was, though, just that I would have to replace the pre-amp.
Kent
I've seen a few posts about cleaning pc boards, I'd like to relate how I do it.
I work in a food processing plant where the electronic devices can get rather nasty. Hot and cold temperature cycles and very high humidity promote mold and mildew inside closed cabinets. Breader (flour) dust infiltrates every nook and cranny. And of course the condensation on the boards leads to erratic machines.
What do I use to clean this mess? Soap and water, believe it or not. The boards are usually easily removed, and hot water, soap and a toothbrush is just the ticket. After the bath, I lay some paper towels on a hard surface and tap the edges of the board on it to drive the water out from under the components. A few judicious shots of aerosol contact cleaner for the really stubborn water droplets and then a good session with a hair dryer and the board is good as new.
When a replacement circuit board can cost upwards of $5,000 US we do what we can to keep what we have going. I can think of only one failure in 10 years and that was because I sprayed a board with contact cleaner under power. :roll: It had a bipolar 15vdc supply so I thought it was safe. Guess I was wrong. Although, it was kinda cool to watch a $150 load cell pre-amp actually go up in flames. :twisted: I didn't tell the manager how cool it was, though, just that I would have to replace the pre-amp.
Kent