Re: Plan to deep cleaning my gear
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I agree with this. I have been involved in many product developments over 40 years ( not for HP) and would not use anything but >99% IPA or DI water, and only if the parts are rated to be cleaned with these solutions. If you don't know if they are rated, they may be damaged. Some trimpots, connectors, etc may not be cleanable without damage. The industry did use Acetone and Freons, but due to safety reasons, those are much less common now.
Mark
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I understand the desire to try and get the insides to look like new! Like Paul, I guess I have 50+ bits of oldish HP and Tek equipment, but I'm not sure I would do what you intend, especially with water!
I recall that in the 60's through to the early 80's water washable fluxes were not necessarily used and PCBs were often expected to be cleaned with CFCs (ICI Arklone and the like) to get the rosin based fluxes off, so some components were not sealed and not meant to get wet!
Early PCBs often meant for hand assembly did not have a solder resist either so there may be a small risk of moisture penetration of the FR4?
I clean things that need it, suspect areas of PCBs due to contamination, old flux from re-work, switches and so on with IPA, dust I blow off with the shop airline, case parts, yes soap, water and brush (and solvent where safe and needed for sticker residue) but the 'aint broke don't fix' mantra is my guide!
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Hi,
I am thinking of deep cleaning of my gear. 8566 SA, 8510 VNA, 8515A S-parameter test set, 8350/83592 sweeper.
I think I am going to remove all PCBs, soak them into clean water, brush them and dry them with hair dryer as soon as I can.
For delicate microwave assemblies like DC, YIG, YTFM, mixer and ovenized crystal, and CRT display, I will just brush dirt off the surface and leave them alone.
For sticky keys, soak the keyboard assembly into IPA, rinse them and dry them as quickly as I could.
Sounds like a plan?
Thank you!
Calvin
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