Noob Compressor Question

Sectorseven

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Is it safe to use one to blast dust off PCBs? What's the highest amount of pressure you should use?
 
I would imagine if something flies off at any PSI for any normal household compressor, it probably needed to be reflowed anyway.
 
I would wash boards with dish soap and warm water with a soft brush back when I bought bulk board lots. You gotta be careful with a dishwasher....you leave it in for the heated dry cycle and yer askin' for trouble....
 
I normally dont let it run through the drying cycle....should have stated that I guess. I also have used simple green and a water hose.I use that mostly on monitors and let them dry in the sun for a few days after blowing them off with compressed air. I have also put board in the oven on low heat and let them dry.
 
I don't use compressed air.

I used to and will say that you want an inline water trap.

RJ
 
Anything less than about 13,000 PSI should be safe ;)

I only rarely use a compressor. I really don't want that dust & stuff anywhere that I might breath it in. I will use a small vacuum (Dirt Devil) with a brush attachment if I don't want to actually wash the board.

When doing repairs I will often use a rag with some 90+% isopropyl alcohol to clean areas.

I have found that if it is really nasty (usually monitor chassis) spraying it with a commercial cleaner (409, Windex, Lysol Kitchen, etc. grease cutting formulas seem to work best) then rinsing immediately with a garden hose. I will then stand it on edge (to facilitate draining) and dry in a Texas garage in summer seems to work quite well.

ken
 
I clean my PCB's off with one of these:

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