Power Supply Cleaning

[hurricanesh]

Hi All,

I cleaned up my desktop due to the very annoying noise, it's much better now. I cleaned almost everything, but I didn't dare to open the power supply to clean the fan (looks very dirty). Is that ok to open it? Thanks!

 

[tweekah]

Welcome.
Don't need to open it, may void any warantee on it.

Just take some compressed air to it while outside =)

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: hurricanesh
Hi All,

I cleaned up my desktop due to the very annoying noise, it's much better now. I cleaned almost everything, but I didn't dare to open the power supply to clean the fan (looks very dirty). Is that ok to open it? Thanks!

Yes, but before you open it, unplug it from the wall and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This allows any remaining juice to discharge from the capacitors (so you dont shock yourself).

After that, have at it and dont be afraid



(ive shocked myself on a few capacitors before........ it doesnt really hurt, its just unexpected and feels weird)

 

[suicidalpigeon]

best to use a vaccuum or strategically use compressed air. you lose your warranty opening that thing unless it already expired or its a pcp&c.

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: wafflesandsyrup
best to use a vaccuum or strategically use compressed air. you lose your warranty opening that thing unless it already expired or its a pcp&c.

Yes, this is true, and yes, a vaccuum does work very well (used it on my dads 5 year old dell because i didnt feel like opening it, and it sucked a crap load of dust out)

 

[hurricanesh]

Many thanks for all your prompt replies, I'm shocked that a forum can be so active.

Vacuum seems to be the best choice. I hate to be shocked.

 

[drum]

Originally posted by: hurricanesh
Many thanks for all your prompt replies, I'm shocked that a forum can be so active.

Vacuum seems to be the best choice. I hate to be shocked.

forget the vacuum, and just take a can of compressed air to it.

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: drum

Originally posted by: hurricanesh
Many thanks for all your prompt replies, I'm shocked that a forum can be so active.

Vacuum seems to be the best choice. I hate to be shocked.

forget the vacuum, and just take a can of compressed air to it.

Vacuum is a better idea in this case, because the compressed air will just blow the dust back into the PSU, where it will eventually collect on the fan again. A vacuum will take the dust away from the fan/PSU so it will take longer to reaccumulate.

 

[Maluno]

How about you use a combination of both? Blow the dust from the front into the vacuum?

 

[zagood]

Combo. The force from the compressed air will loosen up some dust clumps that the vacuum might not be able to get by itself. And if you only use the compressed air, you're going to blow off some chunks that'll just stay in there.

-z

 

[CrispyFried]

either way (I use a combo of both methods), just watch out you dont spin the fans up to warp speed, youll damage the bearings. Q-tips work well on the sometimes stubbern stuff on the fan blades as you can stick em through the grill to loosen it up 1st.

 

[Jiggz]

First, vacuum the larger portion of the dust build up inside the unit and also around the fan. Then get a soft bristle paint brush ( about 1" wide) brush off as much as you can inside and in between components. Vacuum again and then finally blow it with compress air paying attention to sections you were not able to reach with the vacuum nozzle and paint brush. Then vacuum again. Put it back together and you're done.

 

[imported_rod]

If you're going to dissassemble your PSU, then disconnect it from the wall, hold down the power button for 10seconds, then leave it sit for a while (1/4 hour+) before opening it up.

RoD

 

[imported_sammie]

what i do is, vacuum it first like the rest say, and then use compressed air blowing it from the back (fan) and then blow it again from the front, and then re-vacuum it

 

[0roo0roo]

don't open it. if u do, don't touch the large capacitors. use a vacumn hose and or can of air. blast away