Compressed air - how long does it last?

By Hardcore Til I Die
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Grand Master

Hardcore Til I Die

Posted
Posted

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/fellowes-hfc-free-air-duster-10810373-pdt.html

How long would something like that last? Seems expensive if it will only last for one clean of the inside of my PC!

It's grown unbearably noisy so I think the fan probably needs cleaning.

Thanks :)

Grand Master

Hum

Posted
Posted

One can inflates my cat !

Using the blower from a vacuum cleaner would be cheaper.

OR

http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Industrial-Compressor-Model-1202S150/dp/B001DZNCBU/ref=sr_1_24?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1354219972&sr=1-24&keywords=Mini+Air+Compressor

Plug-in wall, blower tool

Grand Master

TPreston

Posted
Posted

Not long if you waste it on fans its for cleaning the motherboard and other delicate parts not for cleaning dust off plastic or cpu coolers. If you do a lot of maintenance one of these is a great investment http://www.metrovacworld.com/DataVac%20Electric%20Duster there are sellers in Europe that sell a 230v model.

Wouldn't use it on a motherboard but for fans and cpu coolers its great.

Grand Master

Hardcore Til I Die

Posted
  • Author
Posted

One can inflates my cat !

Using the blower from a vacuum cleaner would be cheaper.

OR

http://www.amazon.co...+Air+Compressor

Plug-in wall, blower tool

I read that vacuums create too much static and can damage components, is that right?

I've got a compressor for my car tyres, I might try using that!

Thanks :)

Not long if you waste it on fans its for cleaning the motherboard and other delicate parts not for cleaning dust off plastic or cpu coolers. If you do a lot of maintenance one of these is a great investment http://www.metrovacw...ectric%20Duster there are sellers in Europe that sell a 230v model.

Wouldn't use it on a motherboard but for fans and cpu coolers its great.

Had this PC for five years or so and I've never cleaned it :p

Grand Master

Phouchg

Posted
Posted

I'd advise to rather clean the fan by taking it out and cleaning carefully with wet cleaning wipes. There's this wretched type of fine dust that clings to fan blades and stuff and no amount of air will get that off.

Air cans are good for blowing out crap out of heatsinks and such hard or impossible to reach places and things. For everything else, wet wipes do a better job.

Now, given that you don't go nuts with it (and don't use it as a torch - which I do, it's fun!), 350ml bottle will last for quite many times.

Grand Master

neufuse Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

I always just use an air compressor with a tank on it, I can change the PSI and just blow away with air, not a chemical using the nozzle tools... you just have to make sure you have one that doesn't let oil into the tank when compressing the air

Grand Master

xendrome

Posted
Posted

I always just use an air compressor with a tank on it, I can change the PSI and just blow away with air, not a chemical using the nozzle tools... you just have to make sure you have one that doesn't let oil into the tank when compressing the air

I'd be careful of condensation also, since there will be moisture in the line.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

Another +1 for the DataVac Electric Duster 500. I have it, it is one of the BEST things i've bought last year. it makes PC's look like new and makes them fun to clean. Just remember to hold the fans in place as you blow them out so you don't kill the barrings.

Grand Master

neufuse Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

I'd be careful of condensation also, since there will be moisture in the line.

yeah, that's one of the reasons you always unplug and remove CMOS batteries when cleaning, even alcohol wipes can ruin electronics when electricity is present cleaning the insides

Mentor

cybertimber2008

Posted
Posted

I'd be careful of condensation also, since there will be moisture in the line.

I've seen that on unmaintained compressors (not drained frequently and/or building sized ones that condensate in pipes), but for small home ones as long as you are draining the water every use or so, it should be fine for blowing the dust out of a computer.
Grand Master

Hum

Posted
Posted

Another +1 for the DataVac Electric Duster 500. I have it, it is one of the BEST things I've bought last year. It makes PC's look like new and makes them fun to clean. Just remember to hold the fans in place as you blow them out so you don't kill the bearings.

^ Fixed your spelling ^

Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging :laugh: hahaha

Contributor

I am Not PCyr

Posted
Posted

I've tried that stuff and was surprised how little was in a can bad value !

A buddy of mine bought me a gun that takes catridges found in paint ball guns but they too run out super quick.

basiclly i think air blowing is dumb. in order for them to be effective they have to blow hard enough

and if they do you risk damaging your machine. There is resistors you need a magnifying glass to see everywhere

and if one is loose you will blow it clean off with a compressed air system. Not a good idea !

I would use quetips (cotton tip sticks) with either alchohol 99% (isopopenyl) or a half cup off warm water with a drop of dish soap mixed in.

and make sure to roll the tips on your pc parts not rub up and down or you can snag small parts and pull them off !

SO roll banck n forth and make sure its dry before you power up ;)

ANd that package of que tips will last a million ties longer than canned air.

I'd also never clean a pc with out taking the opportunity to inspect the capacitors for bulging on th top

or leaking from the bottom etc It happens and when it does its bad ! ..about 3 weeks ago i had one explode on me

and it was like someone shot a gun off beside me lol ..scared me half to death lol

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