Service Your Own Regs

[Mr Carcharodon]

Ultrasonic cleaners can work too well and clean the chrome plate off as well as what you want to clean. They are nice to have, but not essential. Really you just need a hook spanner, IP gauge and tube of Cristolube, all of which can be had for under $50 from Scubatools.

 

[WVMike]

I paid 110 for mine on ebay. It will hold 3 first stages easily as well as a manifold bar and valves but not all at the same time. It is similar to the cheaper one from HB but has a 2 quart capacity,heat,and digital timer to 60 minutes. Although I don't know why you'd need to leave anything in for that long. Heat is another nice feature to have but not required.

Thats good to know. I will just come over and use yours and save the money

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Anytime you want to you're welcome. Just call first and bring your own cleaning solution! And a pizza.

 

[fppf]

Heat really is not needed. The ultrasonic cavitation will heat up and keep the solution hot while its running. The heat option is really only used to maintain solution temperature between cleaning cycles.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Heat really is not needed. The ultrasonic cavitation will heat up and keep the solution hot while its running. The heat option is really only used to maintain solution temperature between cleaning cycles.

That's interesting. I just assumed that the heat would loosen up the gunky substances (corrosive deposits, dirt, etc.) and promote solubility of those substances in the cleaning solution. I have heard that heating cycles can greatly shorten the duration of ultrasonic cleaning cycles. I don't have any personal experience with it, though.

 

[fppf]

That's interesting. I just assumed that the heat would loosen up the gunky substances (corrosive deposits, dirt, etc.) and promote solubility of those substances in the cleaning solution. I have heard that heating cycles can greatly shorten the duration of ultrasonic cleaning cycles. I don't have any personal experience with it, though.

I think we missed a little, having a hot cleaning bath is a good thing. You are correct in your statements that you want the cleaning solution to be hot.

That said, if you run an ultrasonic cleaner, the ultrasonics alone is enough to keep the solution hot. So if you fill an ultrasonic bath with hot water, turn it on and leave it run, come back in 4 hours it will still be hot.

The extra heater in some units is there to keep the solution hot while the ultrasonics are not running. It will also allow you to heat up cold solution to temperature before running a cleaning cycle. The ultrasonics will also heat the solution from cold, but it will take a few hours to do so.

 

[WVMike]

Anytime you want to you're welcome. Just call first and bring your own cleaning solution! And a pizza.

Sounds like a deal, but forget the anchovies

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Agreed. Seriously Mike, anytime you want to stop you're welcome. I've got IP gauges, In line adjusting tool, Magnahelics(2 of em one in inches and one in millibars), first stage handle etc. Need a couple more pin spanners and picking up a torque wrench this week I think.