Cyan
11-11-2003, 01:42 PM
Is there a cheapish good enuff (as good as the can stuff or better) Air compressor you'd suggest for cleaning the computer (among other things) w/o having to buy replacements and the like?
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Ol'Tunzafun
11-11-2003, 02:25 PM
You may be looking for an oilless compressor. They are cheaper and cleaner, albeit noisier. If you are going to be blowing you will need compressor with a tank. In fact, as a low cost alternative, you can buy just the tank without the compressor at an auto parts store, and just fill the tank up with compressed air at a service station.
Billforce
11-11-2003, 04:08 PM
If you fill the tank at a service station you best put a pressure regulator on the outlet otherwise you might blow your PC into the next county.:p
Met-AL
11-11-2003, 04:11 PM
Originally posted by Ol'Tunzafun
You may be looking for an oilless compressor. They are cheaper and cleaner, albeit noisier. If you are going to be blowing you will need compressor with a tank. In fact, as a low cost alternative, you can buy just the tank without the compressor at an auto parts store, and just fill the tank up with compressed air at a service station.
I definatley wouldn't be doing that. There will be moisture and oil in the air you get from a service station. Blowing that around on electronics is probably not a good idea.
You could a little canistor vacuum cleaner that lets you hook the hose to the outlet end and use that or buy the compressed air in a can. If you are gonna install a air compressor to clean electronics and stuff, you can get a moisture condensor to hook inline with the hose.
You may be looking for an oilless compressor. They are cheaper and cleaner, albeit noisier. If you are going to be blowing you will need compressor with a tank. In fact, as a low cost alternative, you can buy just the tank without the compressor at an auto parts store, and just fill the tank up with compressed air at a service station.
I definatley wouldn't be doing that. There will be moisture and oil in the air you get from a service station. Blowing that around on electronics is probably not a good idea.
You could a little canistor vacuum cleaner that lets you hook the hose to the outlet end and use that or buy the compressed air in a can. If you are gonna install a air compressor to clean electronics and stuff, you can get a moisture condensor to hook inline with the hose.
Cyan
11-11-2003, 04:30 PM
*blink* :confused:
I'll stick with the cans then...
I'll stick with the cans then...
RamonGTP
11-11-2003, 05:26 PM
I've used my comprsser to clean out my computer several times with no issues. Fact of the matter is that those cans just don't have enough pressure to get ALL the dust out from the HSF fins, and from within the PSU. I do however have a moisture condenser hooked up to it. But in the 8+ years i've had it, i think i've only drained it like 3 times, and it wasn't even close to full any of those times. The amount of moisture collected in the tank probably depends a lot on the actual climate, whether or not there the air being compressed is humid or dry.
megaspazz
11-11-2003, 05:36 PM
Too much work for cleaning. Cans of compressed
air work great for me- no probs/no hassle.:)
air work great for me- no probs/no hassle.:)
Rocketmech
11-11-2003, 05:43 PM
I've got one of those 8 gal. air tanks , the size of a duffle bag. They just dont get the job done like canned air or the compressor itself. The blast of air dissipates quicky , then next thing you know , you got a fill it again. Stick with canned air. Nothing to big to haul around , and much quiter. ;)
Magua
11-11-2003, 09:26 PM
There will be moisture and oil in the air you get from a service station
All air has moisture in it. If you fill a tank with air at a gas station it would work fine, but I don't see the advantages over using canned air.
All air has moisture in it. If you fill a tank with air at a gas station it would work fine, but I don't see the advantages over using canned air.
leprechaun_40
11-11-2003, 10:46 PM
You could use a compressor, just use a regulator and a dryer to make sure that you don't blow things apart and don't blow any water droplets from condensation into them.
Yes, there is moisture in air, however, compressed air has loads of it, and when you let it out, it tends to blow out in droplets, therefore, a good dryer will do the trick there.
The advantage over buying the canned stuff is cost, consider what a can will cost and how far it goes, multiply that times what you could do with even a small compressor. That canned **** is costly, in the end. :eek:
Yes, there is moisture in air, however, compressed air has loads of it, and when you let it out, it tends to blow out in droplets, therefore, a good dryer will do the trick there.
The advantage over buying the canned stuff is cost, consider what a can will cost and how far it goes, multiply that times what you could do with even a small compressor. That canned **** is costly, in the end. :eek:
Ol'Tunzafun
11-11-2003, 11:45 PM
The quickest way to dry something is to blow it with compressed air. Compressed air is extremely dry as it has had the moisture wrung from it. That is why there is water in the bottom of the tank. The air is drawn from the top of the tank. It is possible and even likely to get some water mixed with the air if you are blowing while the compressor is running, because it will pick up the moisture that has been freshly displaced before it has a chance to settle to the bottom of the tank. The longer it runs, the worse it gets, but if you are just blowing out a power supply or something like that and the compressor has been idle, the air will be dry - very dry.
Vacuum cleaners, especially shop vacs, can generate enormous static charges. The outflow from a vacuum couldn't blow anything. I could do a better job with a soda straw.
Vacuum cleaners, especially shop vacs, can generate enormous static charges. The outflow from a vacuum couldn't blow anything. I could do a better job with a soda straw.
Magua
11-11-2003, 11:48 PM
The cans are expensive for what they do, but you don't need to do it every day or anything. I have used air compressors often, for nail guns, and other things (automatic 'red star' bb guns :D ) and havent ever had drops of water come out when using it.
Cyan
11-12-2003, 12:57 PM
I was just thinking that given the amount of computers in our house (5) and dogs (2) as well as dust (lots) I'd save money and not have to be stingy when I'm cleaning.
Magua
11-12-2003, 01:29 PM
With 5 computers it may be worth it to look into an air compressor if you clean them out often. I know my computer at home (5people, 3dogs, 1cat, and 1bird(in computer room)) racks up the dust real quick.
Met-AL
11-12-2003, 01:51 PM
Originally posted by Ol'Tunzafun
The quickest way to dry something is to blow it with compressed air. Compressed air is extremely dry as it has had the moisture wrung from it. That is why there is water in the bottom of the tank. The air is drawn from the top of the tank. It is possible and even likely to get some water mixed with the air if you are blowing while the compressor is running, because it will pick up the moisture that has been freshly displaced before it has a chance to settle to the bottom of the tank. The longer it runs, the worse it gets, but if you are just blowing out a power supply or something like that and the compressor has been idle, the air will be dry - very dry.
I beg to differ with your opinion that compressed air is dry. I know from pratical experience that compressed air is has a high moisture content. I work for a manufacturing company, and the location I work at, we are constantly battling moisture in the air system. We have two 90HP turbine compressors and air dryers all thru the system. You take an air hose, stick a blowing nozzle on it and point it at something and start blowing, pretty soon the object is damp.
The amount of moisture in the compressed air directly corresponds to the relative humidity of the air being drawn into the compressor. Since water, for all pratical purposes, can not be compressed like air, some of it will drop out of the air and settle in the lower parts of the air system. This is because as the air becomes more dense, it can not hold as much water vapor, but it still holds some. Now you have a much more condensed stream of air that contains water vapor, blowing on electronics, pretty soon what your blowing on gets damp or wet. Throw the fact that the lubrication used for the compressor slowly ends up in the air, and you eventualy have a mess.
The quickest way to dry something is to blow it with compressed air. Compressed air is extremely dry as it has had the moisture wrung from it. That is why there is water in the bottom of the tank. The air is drawn from the top of the tank. It is possible and even likely to get some water mixed with the air if you are blowing while the compressor is running, because it will pick up the moisture that has been freshly displaced before it has a chance to settle to the bottom of the tank. The longer it runs, the worse it gets, but if you are just blowing out a power supply or something like that and the compressor has been idle, the air will be dry - very dry.
I beg to differ with your opinion that compressed air is dry. I know from pratical experience that compressed air is has a high moisture content. I work for a manufacturing company, and the location I work at, we are constantly battling moisture in the air system. We have two 90HP turbine compressors and air dryers all thru the system. You take an air hose, stick a blowing nozzle on it and point it at something and start blowing, pretty soon the object is damp.
The amount of moisture in the compressed air directly corresponds to the relative humidity of the air being drawn into the compressor. Since water, for all pratical purposes, can not be compressed like air, some of it will drop out of the air and settle in the lower parts of the air system. This is because as the air becomes more dense, it can not hold as much water vapor, but it still holds some. Now you have a much more condensed stream of air that contains water vapor, blowing on electronics, pretty soon what your blowing on gets damp or wet. Throw the fact that the lubrication used for the compressor slowly ends up in the air, and you eventualy have a mess.
$1500-P4 gamer
11-13-2003, 02:27 AM
Originally posted by Met-AL
I beg to differ with your opinion that compressed air is dry. I know from pratical experience that compressed air is has a high moisture content. I work for a manufacturing company, and the location I work at, we are constantly battling moisture in the air system. We have two 90HP turbine compressors and air dryers all thru the system. You take an air hose, stick a blowing nozzle on it and point it at something and start blowing, pretty soon the object is damp.
The amount of moisture in the compressed air directly corresponds to the relative humidity of the air being drawn into the compressor. Since water, for all pratical purposes, can not be compressed like air, some of it will drop out of the air and settle in the lower parts of the air system. This is because as the air becomes more dense, it can not hold as much water vapor, but it still holds some. Now you have a much more condensed stream of air that contains water vapor, blowing on electronics, pretty soon what your blowing on gets damp or wet. Throw the fact that the lubrication used for the compressor slowly ends up in the air, and you eventualy have a mess.
I agree-and you saved me lots of typing-LOL. I paint cars and use air tools all the time. Have a little 80gal 5 hp twin piston Porter cable setup here. More humidity outside wetter the air is. My air dryer needs empty pretty poften when its even 60% humidity outside. At 70% and up it fills up with water quick. You would need about 2 air dryers in a row at tank and then one within 8' of blow nozzel where you put the regulator (like in house receptical setups.) They plug in to a wall outlet like setup-I have one. Anyhow you will still get some water-being electronics thats bad. And anything bove 30psi wills tart blowing parts! Set mine to about 120psi and I bet you could nock a capacitor off! LOL. So presure would have to be carefully watched-in whole, just not worth it. Those cans of compressed air make water too by the way. They get very cold and water and ice forms on outside of can. THAT is coming from inside the can folks. Short bursts of air-then after a while let it sit. Dont shake so water settles to bottem not getting to blow nozzel. Clean pc 4 times a year I do. But more often is better as always.:t
I beg to differ with your opinion that compressed air is dry. I know from pratical experience that compressed air is has a high moisture content. I work for a manufacturing company, and the location I work at, we are constantly battling moisture in the air system. We have two 90HP turbine compressors and air dryers all thru the system. You take an air hose, stick a blowing nozzle on it and point it at something and start blowing, pretty soon the object is damp.
The amount of moisture in the compressed air directly corresponds to the relative humidity of the air being drawn into the compressor. Since water, for all pratical purposes, can not be compressed like air, some of it will drop out of the air and settle in the lower parts of the air system. This is because as the air becomes more dense, it can not hold as much water vapor, but it still holds some. Now you have a much more condensed stream of air that contains water vapor, blowing on electronics, pretty soon what your blowing on gets damp or wet. Throw the fact that the lubrication used for the compressor slowly ends up in the air, and you eventualy have a mess.
I agree-and you saved me lots of typing-LOL. I paint cars and use air tools all the time. Have a little 80gal 5 hp twin piston Porter cable setup here. More humidity outside wetter the air is. My air dryer needs empty pretty poften when its even 60% humidity outside. At 70% and up it fills up with water quick. You would need about 2 air dryers in a row at tank and then one within 8' of blow nozzel where you put the regulator (like in house receptical setups.) They plug in to a wall outlet like setup-I have one. Anyhow you will still get some water-being electronics thats bad. And anything bove 30psi wills tart blowing parts! Set mine to about 120psi and I bet you could nock a capacitor off! LOL. So presure would have to be carefully watched-in whole, just not worth it. Those cans of compressed air make water too by the way. They get very cold and water and ice forms on outside of can. THAT is coming from inside the can folks. Short bursts of air-then after a while let it sit. Dont shake so water settles to bottem not getting to blow nozzel. Clean pc 4 times a year I do. But more often is better as always.:t
Tweb
11-13-2003, 02:52 AM
I have a compressor with regulator/dryer when I clean my computer I just take it to were my compressor is an have all the air I need. Works great an much cheaper!
Met-AL
11-13-2003, 04:55 PM
Originally posted by $1500-P4 gamer
. Those cans of compressed air make water too by the way. They get very cold and water and ice forms on outside of can. THAT is coming from inside the can folks. Short bursts of air-then after a while let it sit. Dont shake so water settles to bottem not getting to blow nozzel. Clean pc 4 times a year I do. But more often is better as always.:t
You lost me here... How is water flowing thru the steel side of the can? It isn't. The can doesn't actually have compressed air in it. It has a chemical that is compressed into a liquid form. When you release it, it decompresses to a gas. The decompression causes it to cool drasticaly. What your seeing on the outside of the can is condensation that has frozen into frost.
What's real fun is to hold the can upside down and squirt it on the back of someones neck. The can disharges the liquid and it is **** cold. (I am not responsible if you get your *** kicked for doing this to someone!)
. Those cans of compressed air make water too by the way. They get very cold and water and ice forms on outside of can. THAT is coming from inside the can folks. Short bursts of air-then after a while let it sit. Dont shake so water settles to bottem not getting to blow nozzel. Clean pc 4 times a year I do. But more often is better as always.:t
You lost me here... How is water flowing thru the steel side of the can? It isn't. The can doesn't actually have compressed air in it. It has a chemical that is compressed into a liquid form. When you release it, it decompresses to a gas. The decompression causes it to cool drasticaly. What your seeing on the outside of the can is condensation that has frozen into frost.
What's real fun is to hold the can upside down and squirt it on the back of someones neck. The can disharges the liquid and it is **** cold. (I am not responsible if you get your *** kicked for doing this to someone!)
Cyan
11-13-2003, 04:58 PM
What's real fun is to hold the can upside down and squirt it on the back of someones neck. The can disharges the liquid and it is **** cold. (I am not responsible if you get your *** kicked for doing this to someone!)
My girlfriend didn't like it much when I did it to her so think twice before attempting it. :D
My girlfriend didn't like it much when I did it to her so think twice before attempting it. :D
neverwhere
11-13-2003, 05:00 PM
i did it to my little brother.... :D
leprechaun_40
11-13-2003, 05:02 PM
Shoot a bug with the liquid, they stop moving, fast:eek:
neverwhere
11-13-2003, 05:03 PM
really? Ill have to try that... :D
Met-AL
11-13-2003, 05:05 PM
LOL....four replies in 5 minutes... only after the topic turned to clowning around....LOL.
neverwhere
11-13-2003, 05:06 PM
who's clowning? Keeping bugs off your computer is important!
Cyan
11-13-2003, 05:06 PM
*ahem*
anyway, is there a cheaper/-better- way to clean out the dust bunnies besides a can of compressed air?
Since ya'll shot my air compressor idea down. :mad: :t
anyway, is there a cheaper/-better- way to clean out the dust bunnies besides a can of compressed air?
Since ya'll shot my air compressor idea down. :mad: :t
neverwhere
11-13-2003, 05:07 PM
try blowing on it :p :D
RamonGTP
11-13-2003, 05:16 PM
Originally posted by $1500-P4 gamer
Those cans of compressed air make water too by the way. They get very cold and water and ice forms on outside of can. THAT is coming from inside the can folks.
Hmmmm, so the moisture I see on my car early in the morning is coming from within the car itself??? :rolleyes: C'mon now, this post is something I would have expected from allgamer. The moisture you see on that can is NOT coming from inside the can. Its the exact opposite. The moisture is from the air OUTSIDE the can, condensing onto the cold surface.
To answer the original question, I still don't think a compressor is a bad idea. All you need is a moisture condenser and you're good to go. Just set the regulator on the compressor at a reasonable pressure and you're set. As far as oil in the lines, well you can get an oil-less compressor, but even if you don't the amout that gets into the system is neglagable at best. Mine uses oil and I have yet to see a problem. All you're doing is a quick cleaning of the PC. You're not blowing air in any one spot for several hours at a time for there to be a chance of oil to build up.
Those cans of compressed air make water too by the way. They get very cold and water and ice forms on outside of can. THAT is coming from inside the can folks.
Hmmmm, so the moisture I see on my car early in the morning is coming from within the car itself??? :rolleyes: C'mon now, this post is something I would have expected from allgamer. The moisture you see on that can is NOT coming from inside the can. Its the exact opposite. The moisture is from the air OUTSIDE the can, condensing onto the cold surface.
To answer the original question, I still don't think a compressor is a bad idea. All you need is a moisture condenser and you're good to go. Just set the regulator on the compressor at a reasonable pressure and you're set. As far as oil in the lines, well you can get an oil-less compressor, but even if you don't the amout that gets into the system is neglagable at best. Mine uses oil and I have yet to see a problem. All you're doing is a quick cleaning of the PC. You're not blowing air in any one spot for several hours at a time for there to be a chance of oil to build up.
neverwhere
11-13-2003, 05:18 PM
allgamer is MIA, so someone has to take his place :D
gjimene2
11-13-2003, 05:18 PM
get a straw and blow off the dust :r
leprechaun_40
11-13-2003, 07:58 PM
I'd still use the compressor, just regulate the pressure down to about 20 psi and put a dryer on it to avoid blowing water into the machine with the air.:t
Met-AL
11-13-2003, 08:04 PM
A little common sense goes a long way. If your gonna use a compressor, just make sure it isn't pissin out water. Use a dryer. Lower the pressure. I personaly wouldn't use one, but that's me. Obiviously others are doing it with good luck.
bpotratz
05-19-2004, 04:08 PM
I have a solution... :x but am in the process of making it marketable so I can actually afford food. :rolleyes:
I hope y'all will pay up! :D
(McGuyver's "Genius Gene" strikes again...)
I hope y'all will pay up! :D
(McGuyver's "Genius Gene" strikes again...)
mobiker
05-20-2004, 09:04 AM
I use a small compressor but i have an attachment I got from an automotive paint supply shop. It holds a roll of toilet aper inside that filters the air of all impurities. It has to work well because as you know water and oil and dust in paint will ruin a paint job. I get no water out of the air hose with it attached.
Vampiel
05-20-2004, 04:59 PM
I use an electric pump I bought for $20 from the toy store (the ones they use to blow up rafts, on sale). It has a nozzle you can put on it so that it will concentrate the air on one spot, or I can take it off to blow out the whole thing.
http://www.kbtoys.com/genProduct.html?PID=62559&ctid=17&ls=toys
Works great, and you dont have to worry about water leaking out of it b/c it's electric (unless you use it in the rain... but then you have to worry about more than just water leaking out of it :D). And I clean alot of computers with it.
http://images.kbtoys.com/g/toys/big/L571182.jpg
http://www.kbtoys.com/genProduct.html?PID=62559&ctid=17&ls=toys
Works great, and you dont have to worry about water leaking out of it b/c it's electric (unless you use it in the rain... but then you have to worry about more than just water leaking out of it :D). And I clean alot of computers with it.
http://images.kbtoys.com/g/toys/big/L571182.jpg
Cyan
05-20-2004, 05:23 PM
awesome, I may just do that.
How strong would you say it is?
How strong would you say it is?
Vampiel
05-20-2004, 06:04 PM
It does the job well for cleaning computers, ive used it for a long time, so I can tell you that this model does work well for that. For it's size, I was pretty impressed with how strong it is. When you want to get to little places use the nozzle attachment, then blow out the rest of the computer with it off.
I cant really put a 'psi' equivalent to it b/c im not to familier with that rating system. I can say that it works just as well as compressed air cans.
You might want to call around to some local toy stores to see if they have it in stock, but I cant vouch for it if it's not that one. If you have a kb toy store, thats were I bought this particular model. If not you can just buy it off that link I put up.
Featuring hi-volume air flow, the Quick-Fill Electric Air Pump inflates and deflates quickly. Easily switches from inflating to deflating with a simple change of airflow direction. Includes an accordion hose and three different nozzles for nearly every type of inflatable.
It's pretty powerfull. It's funny b/c I didnt buy it for cleaning computers, then one day I though... hey this might work well for cleaning out computers, and viola, I never looked back to the air cans.
I cant really put a 'psi' equivalent to it b/c im not to familier with that rating system. I can say that it works just as well as compressed air cans.
You might want to call around to some local toy stores to see if they have it in stock, but I cant vouch for it if it's not that one. If you have a kb toy store, thats were I bought this particular model. If not you can just buy it off that link I put up.
Featuring hi-volume air flow, the Quick-Fill Electric Air Pump inflates and deflates quickly. Easily switches from inflating to deflating with a simple change of airflow direction. Includes an accordion hose and three different nozzles for nearly every type of inflatable.
It's pretty powerfull. It's funny b/c I didnt buy it for cleaning computers, then one day I though... hey this might work well for cleaning out computers, and viola, I never looked back to the air cans.
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