[Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear

[Don Wilhelm]

Here, the XYL uses  cheap 80 proof Vodka to 'awake' vanilla bean seeds.  
She has a bunch of vanilla beans and when soaked in alcohol for about 2 
months (shaken every day), it makes vanilla extract.
She was doing commercial baking when she acquired the vanilla beans 
because it was MUCH less expensive than purchasing vanilla extract from 
the store.
When she quit baking, she had left over beans, so we have lots of 
vanilla extract on hand.

OK, back to the subject at hand, I used to use 190 proof Everclear for 
cleaning boards - still applied only as necessary and with a q-tip in 
the area to be cleaned, blot with a paper towel.  But I can no longer 
get that strength in the local liquor store, they only sell 180 proof 
(don't want to travel to South Caroline just to get some).  So I use 
other sources of alcohol.  Whatever dissolves the flux buildup does the 
job.  If you are very careful, you can use acetone, but it will melt 
silkscreening and get under components if it gets to the top of the 
board - apply only with a q-tip in the area of concern on the bottom of 
the board.
I had one repair here where the customer used something for flux 
removal.  It got under ICs and relays and caused multiple leakage 
paths.  I was about to declare it non-repairable, but he was willing to 
pay the cost of lifting components and cleaning.

Remember that rosin flux is non-conductive until it is mixed with a 
"flux cleaner" - use only in a specific area (do not flood the board), 
and dry the area after application.  Make certain ALL the flux was 
removed from the area - if there is any residue, it can be conductive, 
leading to leakage paths.  Let it dry and look for 'whitish' stuff.  If 
there is any, you have not done a complete job.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/17/2021 6:15 PM, Paul Van Dyke wrote:
> Correct ... and the one your ladies know  SD-40  alcohol  used in my field
> = Perfume
> And a world favorite - Vodka, that was used to make perfume and clean
> parts, Hic..and other things
> 73 ..needin a chair
> Paul KB9AVO
>
> On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 3:49 PM David Christ <radioham at mchsi.com> wrote:
>
>> I’ll try to introduce some accuracy here. There are three common kinds of
>> alcohol
>>
>> Methanol CH3OH also known as wood alcohol.  Poisonous by its very nature
>> so needs no additives to make it undrinkable, Mainly used as a feedstock
>> for making other chemicals.
>>
>> Ethanol CH3CH2OH  This is the stuff in alcoholic beverages.  Everclear is
>> available as 95% ethanol.  Because it is drinkable additives are used
>> “denature” to make it undrinkable.  This is the alcohol commonly added to
>> gasoline.
>>
>> Isopropanol  CH3CHOHCH3  This is the alcohol normally found in rubbing
>> alcohol. It is also used in hand sanitizer.  It is toxic and can be
>> absorbed through the skin so caution is advised when applying isopropanol
>> solutions to the skin.
>>
>> Alcohol absorbs water so is used in “gasoline dryer” products.  Yellow
>> Heet contains methanol.  Red Heet contains isopropanol.
>>
>> This information courtesy of Wikipedia which contains much more
>>
>> David K0LUM
>>
>>> On Jul 17, 2021, at 1:40 PM, Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> John NI0K,
>>> Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two
>>> different products.
>>> Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous.  Whereas Everclear is grain
>>> alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.)
>>> Steve
>>> WM6P
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