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SHARK STEAMER FOR PCB'S ?

P

Peter Kiproff

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm looking for another method to clean flux off of PCB's besides the
lacquer thinner & tooth brush way.

I understand some places use an industrial dish washer, without soap, just
hot water.

has anyone tried or herd of steam cleaning ? I'm thinking of those portable
steam cleaners like the " Shark "

this would be hotter, are there any draw backs with moisture ?

must I use water soluble flux ? what about rosin core ?

I assume proper drying is mandatory.

Thank you
Peter
 
C

CFoley1064

Jan 1, 1970
0
Subject: SHARK STEAMER FOR PCB'S ?
From: "Peter Kiproff" [email protected]
Date: 11/19/2004 11:06 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>

I'm looking for another method to clean flux off of PCB's besides the
lacquer thinner & tooth brush way.

I understand some places use an industrial dish washer, without soap, just
hot water.

has anyone tried or herd of steam cleaning ? I'm thinking of those portable
steam cleaners like the " Shark "

this would be hotter, are there any draw backs with moisture ?

must I use water soluble flux ? what about rosin core ?

I assume proper drying is mandatory.

Hi, Peter. Your kitchen sink and hot water will do the job for boards soldered
with water soluble flux. These steam cleaners won't. And always use water
soluble flux for water cleaning. Rosin flux won't clean at all with water.

The drawbacks with water are mostly that you have to be careful which
components you put on the board before you wash, and which after. Some
components you might have problems with are pots, relays, connectors, &c. The
water gets in and stays in the components, or it can cause oxidation, or
residue from the cleaning process can gum up the works, or water/solvent can
mess up the lubricant on the part (switch/relay). These are just a few of the
delights awaiting the water washer. People find new ones all the time.

For real world boards, the decision is made early on in the board design what's
going to be done about cleaning, and component choices are made accordingly.
Or at least, that's the way it should be done.

Sometimmes you have to make compromises, and install, say, a relay or a pot
after cleaning has already been completed.

Industrial aqueous board cleaners have an air knife and a hot air cycle to help
get the boards dry. For home use, shaking the board after cleaning and rinsing
well in the sink, and then a trip thru the oven at 70C (warm) should be
sufficient. Obviously, you've got to get _all_ the water off, or it won't
work.

Also, do remember that most water soluble fluxes are toxic. Make very sure you
clean up well after you play in the sink or the dishwasher.

Chris
 
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