How to clean inside amp

[Vladimir]

I have been trying to think of a way to reduce the amount of dust getting into the k2bt when it arrives, as it has quite a few air vents, whereas the rega had none. I think I'm a bit of a worried when it cones to dust as I had my brio r sent back to rega as the back plate wasn't a perfect fit and I was worried that it was going to let dust in. Rega changed the back plate for me which was great. But my audio gear is in my bedroom and it does get dusty quickly. I'm thinking of trying to makeshift some kind of dust cover to go over the amp. With maybe a gap of 2-3cm between the cover and the amp to ensure air stiil gets in to cool, but hopefully reduce the amount of dust getting in. Do you think this might suffocate the amp..ie: be too close fitting and therefore not allow enough air in to cool? Or any other suggestions anyone?

After a year in a dusty living room (countryside house, 2 dogs, guests with shoes... it's never clean enough) I was surprised what little amount of dust was in the amp. I presume this has to do with the bonnet which is not all perforated like some amps. In a very clean appartment I would leave the amp to breathe free with nothing on top, open it and clean it for the first time after the warranty expires (5 years).

 

[Vladimir]

Also, everyone here is talking about voltage and current, but it's total energy in joules from the charge which actually kills. I think you need around 100 joules to stop the heart, give or take, although I've heard figures as high as 200. Accidentally discharging a 10,000 µF capacitor connected to a full-wave bridge across a 120 VAC would be enough ( stored energy = ½CV² = ½ ( 0.01 ) ( 169 )² = 142.8 joules ). However, accidentally discharging a 1000 µF cap wouldn't be, although it might cause some really nasty burns, plus a heck of a jolt. Notice however the squared term with voltage. A seemingly small value capacitor at a high enough voltage could be deadly. If you're working on CRT TVs, for example, all it takes is a cap of 0.3 µF charged to 25 kV to kill you. I think the capacitance of the picture tube is more than this. On the flip side, you would need HUGE capacitances at 12 VDC to kill you, roughly on the order of 1.5 Farads[/i].

 

[steve_1979]

There are several factors involved when considering the risk of death from an electric shock. Usually it just comes down to the amount of volts/current that you're exposed to. Other factors such as AC or DC current, the time of exposure, your age and level of heath can come into it too.

One of the biggest factors which many people never consider is the path that the electricity takes through your body. For example if it enters in through your finger tip and exits from your thumb on the same hand you would probably survive even a very high powered shock but if the electricity passes across your heart it will take much less to kill you.

My dad who used to be an electronics engineer taught me to keep one hand tucked into my back pocket whenever I'm working on anything which has the potential to give a leathal shock for this reason. It considerably reduces the chance of the electricity passing across your heart if it doesn't enter via one hand and exit via the other hand.

 

[steve_1979]

ESD is an issue with ICs. A brush is not recommended for cleaning amps with digital preamps or digital volume attenuation without them being grounded. You can put a discrete circuit in the dishwasher and it wont have issues when it dries off (best way to clean amps owned by smokers).

Small trivia. When you walk on your carpet, by brushing your feet you develop several thousands of volts electrostatic charge. Good thing it's very very few amperes, it can't hurt you. But discharge those kilovolts in an integrated chip and RIP Mr. IC.

I always touch the bare metal on a radiator to make sure I've discharged any static before cleaning out the inside of my computer for that reason. I've heard stories of built up static killing a computer.

 

[steve_1979]

...you are making people paranoid without good reason or little knowladge or being very "presious" Stop it.

I agree. Just leave it plugged in and use a Simpson 3000 PSI pressure washer to blow the dust away.

Wait. No. This isn't the other joke thread is it?

Don't use high pressure water to clean it!

 

[iQ Speakers]

Well I give up either Toyota man is busy listening to his lovely clean amp or he is in A&E or dead.

Just to say capacitors will lose there charge in a few seconds. The myths come from large capacitors associated with CRT's I'd be quiet happy cleaning my amp with it running. One more thing it's not usually the shock that hurts it's the damage you do to hand on ripping it past PCB's at high velocity on the way out.

Now, anbody know all about ladder safety? That should be a laugh. I think myself very lucky to be alive still. If you're still alive Toyota man just nod.

 

[steve_1979]

Now, anbody know all about ladder safety? That should be a laugh.

Ladders are perfectly safe so long as they're not plugged into the mains. Or something like that.

And remember, when lifting a heavy object always keep your legs straight and lift from your lower back in a fast jerking motion.

*diablo*

 

[TrevC]

Also, everyone here is talking about voltage and current, but it's total energy in joules from the charge which actually kills. I think you need around 100 joules to stop the heart, give or take, although I've heard figures as high as 200. Accidentally discharging a 10,000 µF capacitor connected to a full-wave bridge across a 120 VAC would be enough ( stored energy = ½CV² = ½ ( 0.01 ) ( 169 )² = 142.8 joules ). However, accidentally discharging a 1000 µF cap wouldn't be, although it might cause some really nasty burns, plus a heck of a jolt. Notice however the squared term with voltage. A seemingly small value capacitor at a high enough voltage could be deadly. If you're working on CRT TVs, for example, all it takes is a cap of 0.3 µF charged to 25 kV to kill you. I think the capacitance of the picture tube is more than this. On the flip side, you would need HUGE capacitances at 12 VDC to kill you, roughly on the order of 1.5 Farads.

12 volts couldn't kill you at all, your resistance is too high, and the capacitance of the CRT anode is only around 500pF with a maximum current available of less than 1mA. A shock would be unpleasant but unlikely to be fatal. The most dangerous parts are the mains and HT supplies in a CRT TV.

 

[Vladimir]

This is the perfect thread to plug PhotonicInduction's youtube channel. *clapping*

 

[iQ Speakers]

An electric fence operates at 10,000 volts.

We used to make them at College with a multi vibrator circuit and a transformer, for a laugh we hold the output and touch some unsuspecting souls ear. Now I'm boring myself.

 

[toyota man]

Hi all I've just been reading all of your posts I am a sparky by trade and have had a couple of nasty 415V shocks in my youth not something I would recommend thanks for your concerns though . I think I will go to maplins and get a can of air and blow it out as I am not sure if I have any sensative electronics that I my damage due to a static build up better to be safe than sorry. I was told that its not so much the votage that will kill you its the current I had to install 10ma rcd's at a local school as anything higher than 10ma will fibulate the heart.

 

[radiorog]

Hi all I've just been reading all of your posts I am a sparky by trade and have had a couple of nasty 415V shocks in my youth not something I would recommend thanks for your concerns though . I think I will go to maplins and get a can of air and blow it out as I am not sure if I have any sensative electronics that I my damage due to a static build up better to be safe than sorry. I was told that its not so much the votage that will kill you its the current I had to install 10ma rcd's at a local school as anything higher than 10ma will fibulate the heart.

And I expect a lot less than that if you have a pacemaker fitted.!

 

[iQ Speakers]

Now we have to condider the ESD built up as dry air rushes past the nozzel and the board itself, I kid you not.

I just wonder about the many computers I must of blown up over my time!

PS thank god you are alive! Nite.