Re: Motor cleaning

On Sat, 5 Oct 2024 12:31:55 -0400, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:

sci.electronics.repair seems dead so I'll ask here:
>
Is there a solvent that's OK to dunk the whole rotor and stator of an
e.g. Lionel universal motor in to clean it up? Like say fill a bag with
the solvent and parts and then toss it in an ultrasonic bath. Would
something like anhydrous isopropyl be appropriate?
>
The disintegration of a nearby carbon-zinc battery has made this
assembly a sooty mess. 8-(

Ultrasonic cleaners work through cavitation, which uses the energy
from imploding bubbles to break up dirt and your sooty mess.  What
want is soap and *HOT* water.  I use Dawn Ultra or Dawn Platinum
dishwashing soap in my 3 liter ultrasonic bath tub.  I sometimes use
solvents, but only if I'm certain there are no plastic, rubber or
painted parts involved.

I've also seen a few too many underpowered ultrasonic cleaners.  Do
the aluminum foil test before blundering forward:
"How to Test an Ultrasonic Cleaner"
<https://blog.sra-solder.com/knowledge-base/how-to-test-an-ultrasonic-cleaner>
If the test foil looks like it was hit by a shotgun blast, it's
working.  Another method uses frosted glass and a pencil.  I haven't
tried this, but it does look interesting:
"Tips on Checking the Performance of your Ultrasonic Cleaner"
<https://iultrasonic.com/blog/tips-on-checking-the-performance-of-your-ultrasonic-cleaner/>

Good luck.


--
Jeff Liebermann                 jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272      http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann      AE6KS    831-336-2558