[Boatanchors] Re: Ultrasonic cleaner solution

[Ken Kaplan]

If you have parts that can tolerate ammonia, I've found that Parsons Sudsy Ammonia works 
great. It also does a super job on jewelry. Definitely don't mix lye (or any other strong base) 
with aluminum foil. The gas it generates is hydrogen along with a lot of heat. You'll end up 
wearing it. Reminds me of my wild-n-crazy youth. Used to make H & fill up balloons. Sent a 
10 balloon & balsa/tin foil array off over the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Shh! Don't tell anyone. 
Back then I'd be a crazy kid. Today they would probably think I was a *errorist. Still have all 
my fingers :-)

73 Ken kb7rgg

> Avoid flammable solvents as they can ignite and ruin your day. Also use 
> caution with toxic solvents as when they cavitate they will emit more vapors 
> than when they're just sitting.
>
> Water-soluble chemicals work really well in ultrasonic cleaners; even plain 
> water is a pretty powerful scrubbing agent when energized. The household 
> cleaner "Fantastic" is an excellent universal cleaner. It doesn't need to be 
> used in high concentration.
>
> A good test of how much scrubbing action you have is to insert a piece of 
> aluminum foil in the cleaner...if you see it getting eroded, you know 
> there's good scrubbing action going on. Similarly, if you experiment with 
> different wetting solutions & concentrations, use the aluminum foil test to 
> see if the solution is too concentrated or if the mixture won't cavitate.
>
> Don't use the aluminum foil with strong base solutions (e.g. lye...don't use 
> this in any case) as they will react with the aluminum foil, emit 
> toxic/flammable gas, and really mess things up.
>
> The K.I.S.S. method works well.
>
> GL es 73
> Dan
> K0DAN
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "WØQFC" <erastber at tampabay.rr.com>
> To: <FLBOATANCHORS at yahoogroups.com>; <Elmers at eham.net>; 
> <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 12:08 PM
> Subject: [Boatanchors] uLTRASONIC CLEANER SOLUTION
>
>
> >I have a ultrasonic cleaner that I would like to use to clean parts when
> > restoring a piece of equipment, mostly small metal pieces, variable caps,
> > etc.
> >
> > Is there a 'universal' type of chemical (other than alcohol or water) to
> > clean the parts?
> >
> > Or, what chemical should I use and where can I get it?
> >
> > TIA
> > 73
> >
> >
> > Gene, W�QFC (OK on QRZ)