Hello there,

I was looking at some "canned air" which is under pressure for use for dusting computers internally such as the CPU heat sink. I noticed that there are a lot of brands and even a "power" version that prices from about 50 dollars to around 100 dollars USD that plugs into the wall outlet and has a 3/4 HP motor inside.. The canned air type sells for about 7 dollars and up for one can.

What would you recommend and what have you used that you might recommend or not recommend?

Also, if you use the canned air type, how long would you say you could hold the button down before it runs out of air (and of course what is the size of the container) ?

Thanks much.

 

What would you recommend and what have you used that you might recommend or not recommend?

I recommend that you buy a can that can be pressurized from an air compressor, or similar. If you use enough compressed air, you'll be easier on your pocket book and the environment.

I use a 10 gallon air tank pressurized by my air compressor (for air tools). I don't worry about compressor oil or water. Before I bought an air compressor, I filled my air tank at gas stations. I'm not too concerned about static, though there are brands of compressed air that say they're more static safe.

When cleaning anything with a fan, don't let the compressed air spin the blades, as much fun as that is...

 

Is it? https://www.mcmaster.com/#canned-air/=18m8tgb

I had the luxury of a non-movable, but very low volume compressor for as long as i can remember. I think this was use din the beverage industry and the tank is really tiny and with no auto-shut off switch. Oops. I got a CO2 tank from a junk yard when they were able to sell them and pumped it up to about 150 lbs. There is a rupture disc on the tank.

I do have a low volume compressor, like for an air brush, but never thought about using that.

If your dusting large items, outside is the way to go. Canned "air" doesn't last long. It's convenient and expensive.

To do the spring/fall tire thing, I might have to make multiple trips downstairs for 2 cars.

The two possible contaminants are water and oil. The real danger is too much pressure and flying stuff, breathing and displacing the dust,

The difficulty is to either use a Schrader valve or you have to be able to close the tank off and vent the hose controllably.

At work, I had the luxury of all three: a) Canned air; b) 5 9's Argon or Dry Nitrogen with a particulate filter. I th=think the nozzle was like $450.00.
This ftp://ftp.nist.gov/pub/mml/mhalter/MikeM/Wafer%20Guard%20Gun.pdf was one of the guns we used.

 

Be aware the air from a compressor may not be dry.

Ken

 

When I investigated this subject, my conclusion was I should buy a small compressor used by dental technicians fitted with oil / water filters. Did not cost dearly and in the long term saved $$ vis a vis the canned thing.

 

Hello there,

I was looking at some "canned air" which is under pressure for use for dusting computers internally such as the CPU heat sink. I noticed that there are a lot of brands and even a "power" version that prices from about 50 dollars to around 100 dollars USD that plugs into the wall outlet and has a 3/4 HP motor inside.. The canned air type sells for about 7 dollars and up for one can.

What would you recommend and what have you used that you might recommend or not recommend?n

Also, if you use the canned air type, how long would you say you could hold the button down before it runs out of air (and of course what is the size of the container) ?

Thanks much.

"Canned air" or dusters are not air at all. They are compressed liquified gasses. If someone just compressed air into a 12 oz can, it would spray for only a couple of seconds. If you hold the trigger continuously, the evaporating liquid starts to cool and flow rate decreases. You can get 15 to 30 seconds out of a can before pressure falls. Then wait for 3 to 5 minutes (or shack it to speed up the warm back to room temp). Then spray again. You get about 2 minutes per can.

 

Be aware the air from a compressor may not be dry.

Ken

It can also carry a serious static charge that can zap chips. You can get nozzles that dissipate the charge.
http://www.descoindustries.com/pdf/980ENG.pdf

 

hi , Air dancer are basically compressed inert gas High pressure removes contamination easily and quickly For the safe removal of dust...I recommended to buy the air dancer from specific brands like mouser , Digi-key , rs-components , Enrgtech LTD etc.

 

Hello,

I am using dust off 67 from Kontakt chemie:
http://uk.farnell.com/kontakt-chemie/dust-off-67-400ml/air-duster-dust-off-67-400ml/dp/2142401

Bertus

 

I recommend that you buy a can that can be pressurized from an air compressor, or similar. If you use enough compressed air, you'll be easier on your pocket book and the environment.

I use a 10 gallon air tank pressurized by my air compressor (for air tools). I don't worry about compressor oil or water. Before I bought an air compressor, I filled my air tank at gas stations. I'm not too concerned about static, though there are brands of compressed air that say they're more static safe.

When cleaning anything with a fan, don't let the compressed air spin the blades, as much fun as that is...

There have been reports of service sprays causing static buildup since the CFC propellants were banned. There's no way I'd pay that kind of money - usually I can get the fan off and brush the fins out. If its really bad, I take it out and clean it with cellulose paint thinner.

 

There have been reports of service sprays causing static buildup since the CFC propellants were banned.

As I said, I'm not too concerned about it.

When I clean the computers, I don't direct the air spray directly on the semiconductors. Reducing the speed of the air flow should be sufficient mitigation.