[Amps] Washing equipment

[m.ford]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Turner" <dezrat at copper.net>
To: "Ian White GM3SEK" <gm3sek at ifwtech.co.uk>; <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Washing equipment


> ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
> 
> At 12:59 AM 3/16/2006, Ian White GM3SEK wrote:
> 
>>Paul later confirmed that the ultrasonic bath contained water plus a
>>small amount of detergent or wetting agent. The water ended up a dirty
>>brown but the rig came out sparkling.
> 
> *********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
> 
> I wish my memory could serve me better, but be careful with 
> ultrasonic cleaners used for electronics. When I worked in the 
> aircraft electronics industry, they were forbidden because they can 
> damage certain kinds of parts. Perhaps someone with more recent 
> experience can elaborate.
> 
> Bill, W6WRT
> 
> _______________________________________________

Back in my days at Anzac we used table top Branson ultrasonic cleaners
filled with 1,1,1 Tricloroethane. Dow. We bought the stuff by the drum and
used it on just about every discrete component as long as it was not made
of styrene. The 40khz ultrasonic did not seem to damage anything that I can
recall. The "cloroethane" however would destroy things like GR874 adapters
that did not have teflon as a dielectric. After much proding, I was allowed to
specify and purchase a very large floor model that was used on weekends
and after hours for motorcycle parts. I still use a small one for electronic stuff
and have yet to damage anything other than skin. Don't stick your hand in one.

Mike  k1ern