On 1999-08-01 [EMAIL PROTECTED] said:
>Hi Chad,
>I just read your concerns about cleaning of electronics
>with water and had a few comments.
Okedokee :-)
>Chad A. Fernandez wrote:
>> Electronic computer components don't like water very well.
>This is pretty much a myth. The problem is with running
>components while they are wet. Otherwise, don't worry.
>Since we stopped useing wood for standoffs etc, there is
>nothing in electronics which can be hurt the least bit
>with water. With the possible exception of things which
>might rust. I get lots of stuff from an open air dump, and
>from practical experience I can tell you that rain, snow,
>or mud, causes no damage.
Well, I don't really count on people trying to run a wet computer. However,
if it doesn't get thoroughly dry quickly, the various components can
corrode. The pins of chips, especially ones in a dip socket. The relay on
an IBM XT (or it is on the PC?) probably shouldn't get wet. I wouldn't want
water sitting in my ISA slots either. So, while I understand that most
computer components won't be damaged by brief exposure, they can be damaged
by water that sits because it isn't easily dried from crevices.
I do clean motherboards and other boards, that don't have too many crevices
to trap water, with soap and water once in a while. I wouldn't clean a
keyboard like that, However, unless maybe it was one of those bubbled rubber
types :-)
>You're right about keyboards having a lot of crevices
>though. I submerged one once and it worked wery well to
>remove the sugary (probably pop) substance which had been
>poured into it. The good thing is it only took me a few
>minutes to clean it that way. The bad part is that it took
>several days to dry. Still, it required very little work
>on my part so I consider it an efficient solution.
I am quite suprised that the contacts didn't corrode, but I suppose the
different keyboard designs are effected differently.
>> The other thing would be residue from cleaners such as
>> Pinesol, or Mr. Clean, dish soap or whatever. Thats bound
>> to make keys stick, and just possibly (this is just a
>> guess, because they are alkaline) be slighty conductive.
>Good point. You don't want to leave any residue of these
>things on the electronics or switches but keyboard
>contacts are usually well protected so this is only a
>problem if you submerge the unit. If you don't slobber too
>much on the front it won't get onto the electronics.
>As far as stickiness is concerned, most of those
>substances contain detergent which is an excellent
>lubricant for plastics. But either way it doesn't matter,
>because in actual practice there is no problem whatsoever.
Maybe that is the difference then, I normally get the keyboard thoroughly
wet and scrub it with a toothbrush. The keyboard case that I have removed
gets scrubbed with a brush or rag with Comet Cleanser.
>> While cleaning elctronics I like to use rubbing alcohol,
>> for the following reasons:
>> 1. I can get it cheap.
>> 2. It doesn't contain enough water for me to worry about it.
>> 3. It evaporates quickly and without any detectible residue.
>> 4. It is the best thing I have found for removing
>> permanent marker from plastic computer cases!
>You may know, but actually it's aprx. 25 to 30 percent
>water. <g> (This is to make it more effective for killing
>bacteria.)
I didn't know about the bacteria part, but I did know that it contains
water. I buy the 70% alcohol, because it is only about 79 cents for 32oz
locally. It doesn't behave like water, Though :-)
>If you don't want any water (such as for
>cleaning most tape heads) use isopropanol which is the
>same thing without the water.
So thats the difference! Where would I find 100% alcohol cheaply and in a
quantity?
>Acetone is good too, but
>dissolves some more things which may be undesirable if you
>don't know which ones. <g>
Most things that I try it on :-)
>I've used rubbing alcohol on computer parts too and
>you're right, it works on those "marker" marks. I'm with
>you, it's probably better than water based cleaners for
>what we're talking about here, because it dries quickly
>and works well. As per your original specification, it's
>pretty much idiot proof. However, you may get it cheap,
>but I have to buy it at over a dollar a bottle which is
>way more expensive and troublesome than tap water, atleast
>in my house. <g>
Well, I suppose "to each his own." I don't clean keyboard internals very
often, so the price isn't really an issue with me, but it is nice at less
than 80 cents :-)
Interestingly enough, I dissassembled a blown keyboard yesturday that would
possibly give us both problems cleaning it. It was an old Unisys keyboard,
built by Keytronic, I believe. I removed the circuit board, so I got a good
look at the bottom side of the keys. Each key had a foam cylinder inside,
with a stiff plastic circular piece on the keyside, and a circular piece of
conductive metallic something (plastic possibly) on the board side.
I don't think I would want to get alcohol or water in a keyboard like that!!
Chad A. Fernandez
Battle Creek, MI
Net-Tamer V 1.12 Beta - Test Drive
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