How would you clean the inside of your converter?

[wopachop]

The cabinet that holds the converter was extremely dusty. I took a picture will try to find it. Its a toyhauler that has driven down washboard roads with the converter fan running. Got the think the inside of the converter is quiet dusty.

Would you guys blow compressed air inside? Leave it alone? Original plan was to take it out and remove the cover. That might turn into an unneeded headache.

Was about to blast it with compressed air with a shop vac running and then wondered if there is a risk of damaging anything? Maybe limit to 50psi?

[bpounds]

Just use compressed air. Turning pressure down is nonsense. Not putting the nozzle up close to components is commonsense. It's a lot of fun to use the compressed air stream to spin up the fan - don't do that! In fact, hold the fan so it won't turn when you blow it out. A finger or a pencil will hold it fine.

I've blown out computers that way, too many times to even begin to count.

Oh, if your compressor blows anything but clean air, you've got some other maintenance to do too.

[RayJayco]

Dry nitrogen. It is cheap to refill once you have the tank and set up...

Do not turn the "compressed air" can upside down as it is not really 'compressed air'... If you put a 6 pack in a box, turn the can upside down and spray it into the box, it will cool it in less than a minute... 😉

[wopachop]

That's sounds familiar. Not the best brand eh?

[time2roll]

If it is a WFCO I would just replace it.

[ScottG]

Joe417 wrote:
Depends on how clean you want to get it and how dirty it is before you start.

Air will blow most of it out. A brush is usually required to loosen the stubborn dirt. But even a little cleaning will help if it's real dirty.

If compressed air damages anything then it was already a bad solder joint.

If you do use a brush you need to be reasonable but something like a paint brush should be soft enough.

I don't recommend it for most but you can wash circuit boards.

I washed one with water and soap a couple of years ago when cooking oil spilled in it.

You just have to dry it good before powering it back up. Depending on requirements, manufacturers routinely wash electronic assemblies especially on high reliability and many military products.

LOL, that brings back memories! I used to clean circuit boards from aviation electronics that had been submerged during floods or crashes. 409 makes gold contacts shine like jewelry!
FWIW, washing is fine but it's best not to soak things like transformers, inductors, potentiometers or anything that can absorb water.
Placing the board in an oven, pre-heated to around 130~150 degrees and then turned off as you put the board inside will dry everything out safely as it slowly cools down.

[Joe417]

Depends on how clean you want to get it and how dirty it is before you start.

Air will blow most of it out. A brush is usually required to loosen the stubborn dirt. But even a little cleaning will help if it's real dirty.

If compressed air damages anything then it was already a bad solder joint.

If you do use a brush you need to be reasonable but something like a paint brush should be soft enough.

[SAR_Tracker]

I used a compressor on mine several years ago to remove the dust, etc.... there were also aluminum leftovers from the construction of the trailer that hadn't been cleaned up. At least one of the little metal "half moons" got blown into the converter without my knowing it. As soon as power was applied, the magic smoke was let out of the converter, requiring a new unit. Probably a blessing in disguise, as the new converter is a much superior unit to the OEM unit. But still......

[LadyRVer]

I used a clean 2" paint brush.... I didn't know I was supposed to open the converter up and clean it out. I learned real fast when I had to replace the converter. Dog hair galore with dust.

[GordonThree]

Don't hit the fan with high pressure air, that's a good way to damage the bearing, or at least, force dust deeper in.

[Isaac-1]

If you use an air compressor, you one with a pressure regulator with the pressure turned way down. Using a shop compressor at full pressure can put out enough force to break things.

[ScottG]

I'd use a compressor and blow the heck out of it. Nothing but dust is going to come loose with a shot of air.

[pauldub]

Air compressor for sure

[2oldman]

Depends on where all that dust goes when it's blown.

[NMDriver2]

Shop vac works for me, high volume low pressure, and I use it for other things besides. I took the cover off of mine. It was like 6-8 screws and no wiring attached.