Cleaning power supply fans

[Susan Miller]

I have a power supply I'd like to reclaim that was left in a dry but
dusty area for a few months. I seem to recall reading somewhere
(possibly here) that you can do this by spreading newspaper underneath
it, then taking a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and spraying it through
the fans and letting it drip out onto the paper until the alcohol
hitting the papers drips out clean.

Is that correct?

Susan

 

[JAD]

spraying water into an electrical device is not recommended...compressed air or
disassemble and clean from the inside...

 

[Mike Painter]

I have a power supply I'd like to reclaim that was left in a dry but
dusty area for a few months. I seem to recall reading somewhere
(possibly here) that you can do this by spreading newspaper underneath
it, then taking a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and spraying it through
the fans and letting it drip out onto the paper until the alcohol
hitting the papers drips out clean.

Is that correct?

Susan

i'D BLOW IT OUT FIRST (Who pushed the caps lock key?)

There's no point in getting wet what can be cleared out by blowing.
Rememebr also that power supplies get durty inside when they are on far more
than when they are off.


You might want to check inside for critters.

 

[Conor]

I have a power supply I'd like to reclaim that was left in a dry but
dusty area for a few months. I seem to recall reading somewhere
(possibly here) that you can do this by spreading newspaper underneath
it, then taking a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and spraying it through
the fans and letting it drip out onto the paper until the alcohol
hitting the papers drips out clean.

Is that correct?

No.

Get a half inch paintbrush and use that to remove the dust.

 

[w_tom]

I seem to recall reading somewhere (possibly here) that you
can do this by spreading newspaper underneath it, then
taking a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and spraying it through
the fans ...

Is the dust in balls? If not, the dust is no a problem to
anything. If the dust needs clearning, then any vacuum cleaner on low
is more than sufficient to remove that dust.

Alcohol may simply flush necessary lubricants out. Dust is only a
problem if it stops fans spinning. Every a Q-tip would be more than
sufficient to knock out large dust balls.

 

[Flasherly]

I have a power supply I'd like to reclaim that was left in a dry but
dusty area for a few months. I seem to recall reading somewhere
(possibly here) that you can do this by spreading newspaper underneath
it, then taking a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and spraying it through
the fans and letting it drip out onto the paper until the alcohol
hitting the papers drips out clean.

Is that correct?

Susan

Take the screws out and carefully take it apart, noting how it's
arranged to mate it back together. Most are simple. Clean fans with
brush only. Alcohol in a spray bottle with the brush for caked-up
circuits, repeated a few times until nice and clean. An insulation of
crud retains added over circuit components and shortens lifespan is
the theory behind the "newspaper thing". They're usually not that bad,
though. I've an air compressor and usually dispense with the alcohol.
A can of the stuff is about $3.

 

[Guest]

I have a power supply I'd like to reclaim that was left in a dry but
dusty area for a few months. I seem to recall reading somewhere
(possibly here) that you can do this by spreading newspaper underneath
it, then taking a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and spraying it through
the fans and letting it drip out onto the paper until the alcohol
hitting the papers drips out clean.

Is that correct?

It's not worthwhile and can be messy, and there's a slight chance for
dust getting lodged in a fan or 110/220V selector switch. However if
you try it, alcohol of 90% or higher purity is preferred since it
evaporates faster than common 70%, and let the supply dry for several
hours in a warm, dry room so no moisture can remain and cause a short
or shock.

I'd much rather take the thing outside and blow air through it with
either a compressor, vacuum cleaner with hose connected to the
exhaust, or even breath. Conor's suggestion of using a brush is a
good one, and a power supply does not have to be sparkling clean.

If you open the supply and it has fan mounted on the cover, take care
not to let its wires be pinched when you put back the cover. Also
don't operate the supply except with the cover in place and secured
with all the screws, as covers are useful for preventing electric
shock, blocking shrapnel from exploding capacitors, and keeping the
case from flexing and possibly shorting when the AC cord is plugged
into the supply.

What brand supply do you have? Some are so bad they're best thrown
away.



plugged in.

 

[1D1OT]

I have a power supply I'd like to reclaim that was left in a dry but
dusty area for a few months. I seem to recall reading somewhere
(possibly here) that you can do this by spreading newspaper underneath
it, then taking a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and spraying it through
the fans and letting it drip out onto the paper until the alcohol
hitting the papers drips out clean.
Is that correct?

No! NO LIQUIDS! Compressed air does best, BUT, which nobody else has warned
about, place a pencil or Q-tip in such a way as to prevent the fans from
'propellering' and spinning too fast. Also, bear in mind that many power
supplies have more than one fan.