Electronics > Repair
Ultrasonic cleaner size: 10L vs 6L
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SolderOcelot:
Well after progressing to a second page on this thread I still don't know if I should swap my 10L ultrasonic cleaner for the 6L but I have now acquired a bachelor degree in chemistry having read all these comments.
jpanhalt:

--- Quote from: SolderOcelot on July 08, 2024, 03:42:09 pm ---I have 2 straightforward questions:
1) Do you think the 6L basket size is enough for most laptop motherboards?
2) Is it true that less runtime is needed for the smaller tank and thus is safer for laptop motherboards (or any other populated pcb for that matter?

--- End quote ---

My reading of the first page was that almost everyone recommends the larger unit.  For me, any advantage of the 6L would be offset by the fact you already have a 10L version.  As an aside, after a page of any thread, posts tend to wander.

Power density has been addressed.  You can increase time, if necessary, but you can't increase size or easily throttle power. 

The thread then wandered into whether your diluted IPA was the appropriate cleaner.  Water alone is sometimes called a miracle solvent.  Over time, it can dissolve solid rock and build mountains. In human terms @tooki and others suggested better cleaners depending on what you want to remove.  The frequently observed "white residue" probably requires a saponifier (alkaline) remover in water.  IPA and absolute ethanol (my personal favorite) are not very effective.

Edit: BTW, you are probably referring to a BS in chemistry, not BA/AB degree.  :)
SolderOcelot:

--- Quote from: jpanhalt on July 15, 2024, 10:24:30 am ---Power density has been addressed.  You can increase time, if necessary, but you can't increase size or easily throttle power. 

--- End quote ---
You could not have worded that in a more powerful and convincing way. Almost poetic. You can increase time, but you can't increase size


--- Quote from: jpanhalt on July 15, 2024, 10:24:30 am ---The frequently observed "white residue" probably requires a saponifier (alkaline) remover in water.

--- End quote ---
Were you secretly thinking of dish soap when you typed this? If so, whisper it in my ear and I'll add it to my solution next time.
jpanhalt:

--- Quote from: SolderOcelot on July 15, 2024, 10:27:54 am ---Were you secretly thinking of dish soap when you typed this? If so, whisper it in my ear and I'll add it to my solution next time.

--- End quote ---

Not Ivory dish soap (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_(soap)#:~:text=The%20soap%20has%20a%20determined%20pH%20value%20of%209.5.&text=Ivory%20dishwashing%20liquid%20contains%20water,detergent%20instead%20of%20a%20soap ).  As pointed out (@tooki), it's a soap not a saponifier.  Ivory dish detergent (loc. cit.) is different. 

It is said that Tektronix used to use an ordinary household dishwasher to clean boards sent for repair. I am not sure what it used for detergent. Dishwasher detergents are far more caustic/alkaline than Ivory soap is. This article from Kester discusses its investigation into the "white residue:"  https://www.kester.com/Portals/0/Documents/FAQs/White_Residue.pdf

It convinced me.  I had found empirically that cleaning a DIY board right away with absolute ethanol was never a problem.  Cleaning a SparkFun solderable breadboard immediately was rarely a problem, but after awhile, one would get white residue.  I did a project with a commercially made PCB that had a TQFP chip and was done with reflow (Kester leaded solder).  White residue was a problem even when cleaned immediately.  I tried a DIY water-based remover with ethanol amine as saponifier as described earlier, and the result was great.  That convinced me.

For cleaning dirt, dust, dead bugs, etc., almost anything in water with a little surfactant activity should work.  For flux, you need something different.
watchmaker:
As noted above,yes, hand soap.  And the brass brush has to be very soft, like camel hair almost.

My favorite supplier closed out on them several years ago and I purchased what I hope is lifetime supply.

Cousins in the UK may have them.

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