Clear dusty components

[komyali]

I use computer every day, have big fans on it, so it get very dusty, every year I clear it once in spring or summer and change termal paste. Last two times I used air can filled with compresed air for computers, but I tillt it too much and it form condens on my components. My computer is still working but google told me I am very lucky it works My friend told me if I use air compressor like air compressor for tires, I need to leave it 2 hours because of humidity... Can I use small electric air compressor anyway ? is this

Ok It looks crazy to me

 

P.S. how to clean power unit?

[Stephen Thomas]

I wouldn't risk the compressed air hose, looks way too powerful! Short bursts of the can should be fine and don't hold too close to your components. Vacuum cleaners with plastic hose are also not good as they can create a static charge.

[notamondayfan]

I don't see why using a compressor would give any problems, as the trigger can be softly pressed anyway, and just keep it at a distance. If you hold in 1mm from the parts, and put it on full blast, then expect something to break, but if you're careful then it should be fine.

 

Dean

[komyali]

This cleaning is big risk, you need to be very patient and concentrate on what are you doing or else your computer after cleaning wont work

I will wait for warmer days in spring and then clean it with air compresor. First I will test it on dry paper to see does it have water or humidity in the tank. If that is ok I will proceed with gentle cleaning case inside . Offcourse I won't hold in 1 mm from components I'm not idiot xD

[Dimitris Tolios]

Don't over-react.

There is almost nothing that can go wrong. Actually you need to be few mm away to blow-away all the particles. In some cases alternating with an old toothbrush will be required.

 

The only precaution is needed with the mechanical pieces: in this case the fans.

Don't blow canned or mechanically compressed air on the fans with them free-spinning.

Fans and bearings are properly lubricated for 800~3000 rpm that is the normal operating range of those motors. If you insist with the air, the fan rotor can easily reach an order of magnitude (10x) that, with chances of some low/old ball-bearings loosing some of their lubricant due to an aged seal and whatnot. Just block the fan rotation with your finger (not after it reached few thousand rpm, BEFORE you apply air!) and you are golden.

 

The above is harder to do when cleaning laptops without cracking the case open - use short bursts instead of prolonged air application.

 

The condensed CO2 liquid that most compressed air cans contain, is safe for the PC components, much like clear water. There are high chances of getting a cold-burn if it drops on your skin, than damaging your components with it. In order to avoid a chance of liquid coming out the can, just apply in short bursts instead of holding the "trigger" for too long, and be patient adjusting your angle (i.e. don't spray up-side-down).

CO2 is conductive, so there is a chance of you shorting a component if it is running, but again it is not "that likely"...electricity always takes the short/easy way, and a hard-soldered copper trace is always better than some CO2 particles here and there. Also, CO2 will get to gas form within a few seconds of its liquid state being exposed in a room environment, leaving no residue to worry of.

 

I have used slightly damp cloths to clean "heavy" dust cases were dust was stacked for too long to be blown off, no issues, given you wipe with a clean/dry cloth afterwards and you have the PC unplugged while doing the cleaning. You can plug it in almost immediately after with no worries for shorting. Use distilled water if you are that worried, as distilled water conductivity is very-very low. Drop soda or a heavily sweetened hot drink in your PC, you should be worried, but it is the sugars/salts that make a solution conductive to worrisome levels, not water.

 

If you were cleaning PCs constantly, a DataVAC compressor would be a wise buy.

But for cleaning your PC once every few months, it is probably not that much of value.

If you don't want to spend ridiculous money on canned air, just take your PC to a friend that has a decent air compressor (painters, tire-shops, car mechanics etc use compressed air tools, have compressors) and blow the hell out of your machine's dust!

Just care for the fans!

[komyali]

The condensed CO2 liquid that most compressed air cans contain, is safe for the PC components, much like clear water. There are high chances of getting a cold-burn if it drops on your skin, than damaging your components with it. In order to avoid a chance of liquid coming out the can, just apply in short bursts instead of holding the "trigger" for too long, and be patient adjusting your angle (i.e. don't spray up-side-down).

CO2 is conductive, so there is a chance of you shorting a component if it is running, but again it is not "that likely"...electricity always takes the short/easy way, and a hard-soldered copper trace is always better than some CO2 particles here and there. Also, CO2 will get to gas form within a few seconds of its liquid state being exposed in a room environment, leaving no residue to worry of.

Be there, done that xD google told me I was very lucky man my rig still work

 

But for cleaning your PC once every few months, it is probably not that much of value.

If you don't want to spend ridiculous money on canned air, just take your PC to a friend that has a decent air compressor (painters, tire-shops, car mechanics etc use compressed air tools, have compressors) and blow the hell out of your machine's dust!

Just care for the fans!

 

"BLOW THE HELL OUT!" that is what I am going to do tnx, I found small electric air compressor for tires and stuff like that for 8 euros so I will try that

[hrishikeshp]

Hi Dimitris,

Thank you very much!!