Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

cstanton — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:59:12 GMT

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner shabaz , thank you for the kind offer, I simply didn't have room for it 🙂 though your local Hackspace might have use for it if you still need to shift it!

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

shabaz — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 21:43:58 GMT

Nice!

I wonder if I got mine from Maplin too. I miss that place..

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

hifromkatie — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 16:42:07 GMT

I'm sure that is the one I've got. Probably "UK's best selling" selling because everyone ended up buying one to put on a shelf and collect dust. Not sure how long I've had mine, but I bought it in Maplin's in Bath, so I expect it was between 8 and 11 years ago

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

colporteur — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 14:28:07 GMT

Now that I think back to the year 1981 the PCB workstation in the shop was called PACE station. It has all the PACE soldering, removal, repair and gold plating equipment. There was a ultrasonic bath in that location of the same colour and design as the PACE equipment so I am assuming it was PACE.

As electronic hobbyist we were building the first clone micro computer and not using cameras on phones to take pictures. I don't recall a camera option on our cell phone.

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

anniel747 — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 14:17:53 GMT

[deleted]

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

colporteur — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 03:46:19 GMT

We had a PACE unit in our shop that could take the brass off a monkey. It worked for the stuff I put through it.

My knowledge of that vendor ultrasonic cleaner is decades old so I have to tap out.

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

misaz — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 22:20:04 GMT

For example, crystal-less MAX31343 RTC with integrated MEMS oscilator which I have RoadTested few years ago has this restriction mentioned in datasheet. You cant clean boards featuring this RTC using ultrasonic cleaning.

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

BigG — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 19:21:46 GMT

And in case you need something to wash down that poached salmon, you could try this... www.bigoven.com/.../137373

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

shabaz — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 17:31:08 GMT

Hi Christopher,

I've got this thing, it was low-cost, and I don't know if it's any good or not, although the box boldly claims it's the "UK's number one selling" ultrasonic cleaner! I can't recall why I got it, since it's never even been powered up. I probably got it for PCB cleaning, but end up just scrubbing boards with IPA and a brush.

It has been sitting in the shed for at least 5 years, the card box is a bit warped, but inside it's still as new.

I think I could find an unopened bottle of ultrasonic cleaning fluid too, if such a thing does not have an expiry life! If you would like these, let me know and I can post it.

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

dang74 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 17:10:28 GMT

I never knew these even existed.

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

cstanton — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:22:46 GMT

But can you poach salmon in them?

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

cstanton — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:21:36 GMT

Thank you for your insight, I hadn't considered this.

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

cstanton — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:21:09 GMT

[quote userid="121623" url="~/technologies/experts/f/forum/53499/are-ultrasonic-cleaners-worth-it-or-effective/213036"]SafeWash on pcbs[/quote]

Is that the outdoor cleaner?

[quote userid="121623" url="~/technologies/experts/f/forum/53499/are-ultrasonic-cleaners-worth-it-or-effective/213036"]

If you have a test sample in mind that I can replicate I can try it for you.

[/quote]

Y'know I'd be tempted to put my spectacles in it to see how well they clean up. I think in my mind I was considering something multi purpose since I'm not exactly in the position for constant PCB fabrication/use/testing (something I should also get on top of)

[quote userid="121623" url="~/technologies/experts/f/forum/53499/are-ultrasonic-cleaners-worth-it-or-effective/213036"]I have a reasonable size ultrasonic cleaner that I use for pcbs[/quote]

What do you have?

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

scottiebabe — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:20:53 GMT

I wonder how well these work?

Mini-dishwasher....

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

cstanton — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:18:35 GMT

[quote userid="8646" url="~/technologies/experts/f/forum/53499/are-ultrasonic-cleaners-worth-it-or-effective/213038"]bubble tank for PCB etching[/quote]

Wha? I'm going to need some visual examples :D

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

cstanton — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:16:54 GMT

[quote userid="326945" url="~/technologies/experts/f/forum/53499/are-ultrasonic-cleaners-worth-it-or-effective/213040"]Size?[/quote]

Appropriate to be on a workbench.

[quote userid="326945" url="~/technologies/experts/f/forum/53499/are-ultrasonic-cleaners-worth-it-or-effective/213040"]Heater?[/quote]

If that helps with the cleaning, I wouldn't know.

[quote userid="326945" url="~/technologies/experts/f/forum/53499/are-ultrasonic-cleaners-worth-it-or-effective/213040"]Frequency?[/quote]

What's the deciding factor for that? do some frequencies clean better than others? Is it to protect what's being cleaned?

[quote userid="326945" url="~/technologies/experts/f/forum/53499/are-ultrasonic-cleaners-worth-it-or-effective/213040"]MicroBlasting is also very effective, look at Comco.[/quote]

Woah, I was not aware of that at all. Thanks. I believe that's a bit more industrial than what I need, and probably more abrasive than I'd want!

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

BigG — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:12:52 GMT

As you say there's loads of random stuff online. I did watch this YouTube video (by GreatScott) the other day and I thought it provided some interesting insights...

www.youtube.com/watch

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

anniel747 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:23:18 GMT

[deleted]

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

michaelkellett — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:09:33 GMT

I think that the FECl needs the air in the bubbles to help in the reaction.

Certainly the huge inprovement in etch rate if you jiggle the bath about seems more than you would expect from just agitation.

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

Fred27 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:51:11 GMT

Not what you asked, but after experimenting a few years ago, I can tell you that an ultrasonic cleaner is no substitute for a bubble tank for PCB etching. (In case you were worried, I used a separate container of FeCl₃ in the cleaners water bath, rather than pouring FeCl₃ directly into the bath!)

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

wolfgangfriedrich — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:27:16 GMT

Anecdotal: I have heard that ceramic capacitors (MLCC) are subject to failure if the ultrasonic energy is too high. But no personal experience either way.

Also electromechanical components such as quartz crystals or MEMS oscillators/sensors could be damaged if the ultrasonic frequency is resonant to the part. Crystals in the kHz range are more affected than MHz parts.

RE: Are "ultrasonic cleaners" worth it or effective?

michaelkellett — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 10:34:48 GMT

Hello Chris,

I have a reasonable size ultrasonic cleaner that I use for pcbs. Much less now than I used to because I mainly use no-clean solderpaste.

The results you get depend on the media in the cleaner (I use SafeWash on pcbs - it does a not bad job if used with a brush !).

The ultrasonics can help cleaning in small gaps and crevices.

I occasionally use mine on other things but only with SafeWash (far too much hassle to empty it and re-fill.)

If you have a test sample in mind that I can replicate I can try it for you.