ESD Friendly Vacuum Cleaner for Computers/Electronics?

[darkarn]

Anyone got suggestions for a good ESD friendly vacuum cleaner that I can use to clean dust off my computer and the areas around it?

I prefer a vacuum cleaner since blowers (be it canned air or Datavac) are blowing dust around my room, which sometimes triggers my dust allergy

 

[jtjt00]

You can always bring desktop to common corrider and bust off the dust there. Vaccum cleaner hard to reach tight area.

 

[darkarn]

You can always bring desktop to common corrider and bust off the dust there. Vaccum cleaner hard to reach tight area.

But the computer quite heavy partially due to me using a Define 7 XL and it holds a lot of HDDs, so I am trying not to move it too much

Somemore I want to vacuum my table and floor too which has a lot of dust and cables/components like USB CD drives, HDMI switches and surge protectors, so don't know if normal vacuum cleaners will cause ESD issues to them

 

[astones153]

I think your best case is to just remove your mobo then vacuum whatever you need in the case, bring your mobo out into the open and blast it with air. Afaik cables and surge protectors aren't really that sensitive at all to ESD so it should not be an issue?

 

[keenklee]

IMHO.
Can consider anti-static soft brush to use with a vacuum cleaner.
An air purifier placed near the computer will also help.

 

[darkarn]

I think your best case is to just remove your mobo then vacuum whatever you need in the case, bring your mobo out into the open and blast it with air. Afaik cables and surge protectors aren't really that sensitive at all to ESD so it should not be an issue?

I think I may have to do this but still not sure if it is ok to vacuum the dust on the HDDs just like that since you mention taking out only the mobo

Am I right to say that it is ok to use normal vacuum cleaner on my keyboard too, or need those special keyboard vacuum cleaners that I saw (not sure if these are ESD friendly)

IMHO.
Can consider anti-static soft brush to use with a vacuum cleaner.
An air purifier placed near the computer will also help.

Where can I find such brushes? Also good idea on air purifier, thanks!

 

[keenklee]

Where can I find such brushes? Also good idea on air purifier, thanks!

You can do a search for the brand "kinetronics". They have varying sizes of brushes.
Do take note that some anti static brushes are hard.

To "combat" dust, can consider
- cable management boxes
- heavy microfiber ( Daiso? ) to cover keyboards, mouse, etc.
- lint roller ( Daiso again... ) to pick up dust

 

[darkarn]

You can do a search for the brand "kinetronics". They have varying sizes of brushes.
Do take note that some anti static brushes are hard.

To "combat" dust, can consider
- cable management boxes
- heavy microfiber ( Daiso? ) to cover keyboards, mouse, etc.
- lint roller ( Daiso again... ) to pick up dust

Thanks for the ideas, I will/am looking into these!

As for Kinetronics stuff and anti-static vacuum cleaners, I found them but they are a lot more expensive than what I thought. Looks like I'll need the duster but once I blast the dust out of my computer, I will have to quickly vacuum them

 

[keenklee]

Thanks for the ideas, I will/am looking into these!

As for Kinetronics stuff and anti-static vacuum cleaners, I found them but they are a lot more expensive than what I thought. Looks like I'll need the duster but once I blast the dust out of my computer, I will have to quickly vacuum them

IMHO.
My only concern is the the blasting may introduce static !

 

[darkarn]

IMHO.
My only concern is the the blasting may introduce static !

If I am using just canned air or maybe a Datavac for the blasting, will that still introduce static?

 

[Lastwishes]

I use a compucleaner (basically same thing as datavac). I just wear a mask when I'm blowing the dust out; don't do this while your pc is on. Using cases with removable dust filters help (I take them out and rinse with water instead). I find that mopping the floor regularly reduces the dust build up significantly as well.

Also, make sure the fans can't spin while you're blasting the air, because the air being pushed through can spin the fans far beyond their operating speed and damage the bearings.

 

[darkarn]

I use a compucleaner (basically same thing as datavac). I just wear a mask when I'm blowing the dust out; don't do this while your pc is on. Using cases with removable dust filters help (I take them out and rinse with water instead). I find that mopping the floor regularly reduces the dust build up significantly as well.

Also, make sure the fans can't spin while you're blasting the air, because the air being pushed through can spin the fans far beyond their operating speed and damage the bearings.

Thanks, I can consider the Compucleaner too since it is way cheaper than a Datavac. I think I will need those wet wipe mop thingy too for my floor since it is a wooden floor; cannot use too much water if not will spoil faster (according to my parents)

 

[keenklee]

If I am using just canned air or maybe a Datavac for the blasting, will that still introduce static?

IMHO.
I am trying to find the answer too.
Internet research indicates there is a possibility when using compressed air.
I have a Datavac but seldom use. The motor was so powerful that I worry more about power surge !

 

[darkarn]

IMHO.
I am trying to find the answer too.
Internet research indicates there is a possibility when using compressed air.
I have a Datavac but seldom use. The motor was so powerful that I worry more about power surge !

I read from the Internet that these compressed air methods are better since they produce no static than the usual vacuum cleaner, which made me wonder if there are ESD friendly vacuum cleaners

 

[keenklee]

I read from the Internet that these compressed air methods are better since they produce no static than the usual vacuum cleaner, which made me wonder if there are ESD friendly vacuum cleaners

IMHO.
They are available before farnell became element14 !
I was looking at technician's vacuum for particle from toner cartridge.
I guess they came close to hepa which wasn't the in thing at that time.
But it the price for the machine and accessories that was prohibiting.

Now, I lean more towards dust removal then cleaning which was why I am able to come up with the suggestion of air filters, cover with microfiber etc.

 

[jtjt00]

No worry about static when using Metro DataVac blower.
I have been using it on my 2 rigs since 2014.

 

[keenklee]

No worry about static when using Metro DataVac blower.
I have been using it on my 2 rigs since 2014.

Thanks for the reference.

 

[jtjt00]

Also, make sure the fans can't spin while you're blasting the air, because the air being pushed through can spin the fans far beyond their operating speed and damage the bearings.

Do be careful when blowing compressed air at fan, especially Graphics Card fan. I did blow off almost all the fan blades for a small workstation graphics card fan.

 

[keenklee]

Do be careful when blowing compressed air at fan, especially Graphics Card fan. I did blow off almost all the fan blades for a small workstation graphics card fan.

Yes. Must be careful.

During my experimental days, I would remove whole motherboard for cleaning.
I would use IPA and brushes.
Once, I brushed off a capacitor....

 

[Lastwishes]

Do be careful when blowing compressed air at fan, especially Graphics Card fan. I did blow off almost all the fan blades for a small workstation graphics card fan.

yep. also don't go overly closed ranged with slotted in components like gpus. the air stream from datavac/compucleaner is powerful enough to stress the slot if you let the component catch the air like a sail.

I am also not a fan of canned air; there's a chance that more than just air will come out if you don't keep the can upright at all times.