PSC 1000 in an Ultrasonic cleaner?

[AbitNutz]

So I have an ultrasonic cleaner, not one of the gigantic uber-expensive ones but not a 1-quart H/F one either. This thing holds 9-liters which is about, I don't know, about 30 pounds or 3 feet of, awe, never mind. Who cares?

Anyway, I use PSC 1000 solvent. The same stuff that I use in my top-of-the-line Harbor Freight parts washer. You know, the chemical that will put you in a coma if you don't wear freakin' SCUBA gear? Has anyone used that in an ultrasonic cleaner? Is it worth the extra effort? I can't leave it in the U/C. So each time I used it I would have to fill it, drain it, clean it out, etc.

 

[RPH]

Msds says the base is petroleum based. The temperature of the bubbles collapsing can be above the products flashpoint. It’s recommended not to use petro based fluids because of this.

 

[csp]

One trick to avoid having to clean the ultrasonic is to put your parts and cleaning solution in a glass or plastic container that fits in the ultrasonic cleaner. Drop it in the cleaner and fill the cleaner with water. The ultrasonic waves will transmit through the other container and to your parts. Once it's done pull it out and the ultrasonic cleaner remains clean.

As well as water soluble solutions work, I don't know why you'd want to use PSC1000. I use it in my parts washer and don't find it anywhere close to being as hazardous as cleaning solutions used to be.

 

[Davefr]

One trick to avoid having to clean the ultrasonic is to put your parts and cleaning solution in a glass or plastic container that fits in the ultrasonic cleaner. Drop it in the cleaner and fill the cleaner with water. The ultrasonic waves will transmit through the other container and to your parts. Once it's done pull it out and the ultrasonic cleaner remains clean.

As well as water soluble solutions work, I don't know why you'd want to use PSC1000. I use it in my parts washer and don't find it anywhere close to being as hazardous as cleaning solutions used to be.

Good idea but don't use plastic. Plastic attenuates ultrasonic energy. (glass is best)

 

[csp]

That's true, but I've haven't seen a noticeable difference using the plastic containers that it seems like everything from Costco comes in. They're thin. I set the timer and walk away, come back and parts are usually clean either way.

 

[RTM]

One trick to avoid having to clean the ultrasonic is to put your parts and cleaning solution in a glass container that fits in the ultrasonic cleaner. Drop it in the cleaner and fill the cleaner with water. The ultrasonic waves will transmit through the other container and to your parts. Once it's done pull it out and the ultrasonic cleaner remains clean.

We do this with small parts too, put them in a beaker, set them in the big basket of the ~32" square by 16" deep tanks. Beats fishing them out of the bottom of the tank. Much faster come cleanup for specialized cleaning too.

 

[engineer2]

PCS1000 is petroleum distillate with a flashpoint of 175°F and is considered a flammable solvent.
I wouldn't use anything flammable in an ultrasonic cleaner.
Solvent fumes + high voltage electronics = fire.