[sdiy] Ultrasonic Cleaning of PCBs

[Laurie Biddulph]

Hi,

No Clean solder is what it says it is - No Clean. There will be some residue 
and this is completely harmless but just doesn't look pretty.
If you are going to clean the boards because you don't like the appearance 
then I would recommend NOT using No Clean solders. You will then find the 
boards much easier to clean.

Have a read of this page 
http://www.acc-silicones.com/products/electrochemicals.ashx

Best Regards

(Mr) Laurie Biddulph
Phone: +61 (0)2 4340 0938
Mobile: 0400 257 645

Elby Designs
ABN: 70 022 727 605
http://www.elby-designs.com

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Bugs" <admin at bugbrand.co.uk>
To: <Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 5:28 AM
Subject: [sdiy] Ultrasonic Cleaning of PCBs


> Hi list,
>
> I wondered if anyone has any experience / tips / tutorials for the 
> ultrasonic cleaning of electronic bits'n'pieces.. I have been looking at 
> how to make the job of PCB cleaning less hassle - I use so called NoClean 
> solder, but there always remains quite a lot of residue, some of which 
> tends to be very stubborn - I now use special cleaner as Iso-Alcohol 
> doesn't seem to be quite up to the job often.
>
> With this in mind I purchased a cheap Aoyue Ultrasonic cleaner - cheap, 
> just to check things out really. The instructions it came with were, 
> however, very poor and gave little useful info detail. I also got a bottle 
> of 'ultrasonic cleaning fluid' (to be diluted 5-20%) from the vendor at 
> the same time (again with little info). I've tried some google searching 
> but haven't managed to find anything much useful, especially related to 
> PCB cleaning.
>
> The cleaner runs at either 33kHz (normal) or 50kHz (hi-speed) - one google 
> reference said that a 'swept' frequency would be much more efficient and 
> less prone to cause damage (!)
> I've tried using the cleaning fluid - it seemed to leave the boards with a 
> film a bit like fairy liquid and I haven't made up my mind yet as to 
> whether the cleaning action is fully satisfactory.
> I've also tried Iso-alcohol in there - this cleaned some but not all of 
> the gunk.
>
> Anyone got tips on types of liquid to use?
> And also how long to run the process for -- the machine has an auto time 
> of 99seconds (it is a basic machine!) (I think that question may be like 
> asking 'how long is a piece of string'?!)
> Another question is what is safe to clean with the machine -- I'm 
> presuming that most standard passive components should be fine and 
> likewise anything that is 'sealed'. The big question is what to do for 
> standard, unsealed Pots and Switches -- will they be messed up by 
> cleaning? (In current experiments I'm just cleaning once the board is 
> stuffed expect for the switches and pots)
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated!
> Cheers & best,
> Tom / BugBrand
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