SRA Ultrasonic Cleaners - any good?

[deanclaxton]

I'm looking at purchasing an SRA UC-32D-PRO-220 ultrasonic cleaner (220V). Does anyone have experience with this brand? Its available at Digikey with delivery to Australia but I'm curious how well it compares with other brands out there for reliability, such as Crest which seem very well regarded.

SRA Products here

[phil from seattle]

following...  That looks like a good size (I need to do 100x100mm boards frequently) and the price is right.  Unfortunately, every one with a reasonable price that I've looked at gets terrible reviews and I can't justify dropping 600 bones for one that gets good reviews. 

[deanclaxton]

Yeah they of course have a full range of 110V machines also. Like you said they seem well priced and come with the baskets/racks etc. The SRA UC-45D-PRO has a bit more power, and an extra transducer for $50 more (as well as a 1.1-4.5L capacity vs 0.8-3.2L capacity). Not a lot more solution to fill to the minimum mark (1.1L vs 0.8L) - maybe thats the way to go.

[deanclaxton]

Well I ended up buying a cheapie off eBay (AU$249) - 10L though so will fit my (frameless) stencils in there as well : https://vevor.com.au/collections/ultrasonic-cleaner/products/ultrasonic-cleaner-10l-150-300w-degas-jewelry-cleaner-ultrasonic-cleaner

Hopefully it will last a couple of years at least - we'll see.

[Rat_Patrol]

I run a few. Had an issue with one, their CS was great to me.

No other issues.

[alexaraujo]

I have a small 1L ultrasonic cleaner that cleans some types of plates.

But I have questions about a problem with cleaning my board.

I clean with isopropyl alcohol, but in the Lqfp type components there is a white sludge in this region, how can I not put this white sludge on these pins?

After washing, I use a dryer for the final drying of the board.

[Kean]

I clean with isopropyl alcohol, but in the Lqfp type components there is a white sludge in this region, how can I not put this white sludge on these pins?

IPA can leave a white residue with certain fluxes.  Use a different cleaner.
Lots of info can be found about this - maybe start with these topics:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/residuediscoloration-after-ultrasonic-cleaning/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/ultrasonic-pcb-cleaning-white-residue/

[deanclaxton]

Some cleaners are very expensive, but the Chemtronics Flux Off Aqueous  (https://www.chemtronics.com/flux-off-aqueous) is reasonably priced. I've only used it a little bit at work, but seems to work nicely. Removes any flux residue from the solder pastes I use (GC-10), IF8300 BGA gel flux and also the brushable residues from the IF14-14 leaded solder I use for through hole work.

[Radioman23]

I run a few. Had an issue with one, their CS was great to me.

No other issues.

Pardon my asking, but have you had a chance to compare the SRA machine with, say a Crest?   I am very curious to see how well the SRA cleaners would do in removing corrosion or BGA contaminants.

[Rat_Patrol]

I run a few. Had an issue with one, their CS was great to me.

No other issues.

Pardon my asking, but have you had a chance to compare the SRA machine with, say a Crest?   I am very curious to see how well the SRA cleaners would do in removing corrosion or BGA contaminants.

I have not.