Cleaning PC with 24V vaccum

craigxt22 · 10 Jun 2015 at 19:21

Hi,

I'm aware you shouldn't vacuum the inside of your PC as the electronics are sensitive to static electricity.
My question is, is it safe to do so with a hand held 24V battery powered vacuum cleaner?

Thanks

mickyflinn · 10 Jun 2015 at 19:29

I use a vacum when cleaning my pc but i use a soft paint brush to loosen the dust and hold the vacum nozzle a couple of inches from the brush to extract .

Voicon · 10 Jun 2015 at 20:12

I do the same as mickyflinn but I also have a can of compressed air for those hard to reach places.

BinnsY · 10 Jun 2015 at 20:22

My understanding is that no, you shouldn't put a hoover anywhere near a computer. Generally speaking hoovers generate tons of static electricity and that's something you really dont want near your components. Use compressed air or a "blower" unit instead.

mickyflinn · 10 Jun 2015 at 20:27

Never had anything bad happen to all the computers i have used the method i mentioned.

mushtafa · 10 Jun 2015 at 20:49

I also use vacuum and brush without issue

FloppyPoppy · 11 Jun 2015 at 08:19

I reckon everyone who suggested a new name said:
I also use vacuum and brush without issue

With a name like that im not sure your opinion counts here

.

I don't use a hoover in my pc at all.

Glanza · 11 Jun 2015 at 08:46

Can of compressed air for me

mushtafa · 11 Jun 2015 at 10:47

harry5522 said:
With a name like that im not sure your opinion counts here .

I don't use a hoover in my pc at all.

Hahaha just noticed that!

Thekwango · 11 Jun 2015 at 11:01

mickyflinn said:
Never had anything bad happen to all the computers i have used the method i mentioned.

the problem is that static electricity is unlikely to cause any immediate problems. it's more likely that it will simply shorten the natural life span of any components affected. you ever have a ram stick randomly die or a gpu give up the ghost?

of course they could just die any way, but there's always the chance that the hoovering you gave it a month previously might just have been the death sentence.

my personal view is don't use something that can cause unnecessary damage when there are safer alternatives. it's the same reason I'll advise anyone to use an antistatic wrist band when doing any work inside their pc, probably not needed, but why take the risk when it can be avoided?

cyber69 · 11 Jun 2015 at 11:19

Just cleaned out my PC, took it outside and used a garden vac on blow to give it a good blast out. If your PC is neat and tidy inside anyway then nothing will get disconnected.

sprite1275 · 11 Jun 2015 at 11:55

cyber69 said:
Just cleaned out my PC, took it outside and used a garden vac on blow to give it a good blast out. If your PC is neat and tidy inside anyway then nothing will get disconnected.

really

sprite1275 · 11 Jun 2015 at 11:57

I use can of compressed air with the mrs large make up brush. Hope she doesn't find out

Quartz · 11 Jun 2015 at 12:13

I've got a Datavac air duster which blows dust clean away. Thoroughly recommended.

Nasher · 11 Jun 2015 at 13:06

Those low power vacs should be ok, but I wouldn't use a full size mains powered one. Compressed air is best though.

Cat_J · 11 Jun 2015 at 18:12

I use one on my rads on the outside of the case just cos short of my compressor (10 miles away in the workshop) nothing else will clean them out, air cans are useless there.

Blackjack Davy · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:52

mickyflinn said:
I use a vacum when cleaning my pc but i use a soft paint brush to loosen the dust and hold the vacum nozzle a couple of inches from the brush to extract .

Me too, blowing the dust out just blows it into the room and a 5 minute coughing fit as a result.

Even if it weren't earthed the metal case is a huge capacitance reservoir, it'd take an awful lot of static to charge that up. If the components are lying around on bench I could understand it.

Winky_The_Winking_Turtle · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:56

I take mine for a quick dip in the bath. I make sure to scrub properly in-between the fan blades and I blow away all the bubbles. Like new.

whoops didn't realise this was general hardware, not general discussion

Anyway I use a hoover sometimes, but just for general cleaning now and then. I hold it a bit back and don't get in too close as I am cautious. I used compressed air to blow-out hard to reach areas though if I wanna do a more thorough clean (which I will prob be doing soon since 'cause of the summer heat

)

mushtafa · 12 Jun 2015 at 16:11

I'm not sure the bath approach would be good enough. Get the pressure washer on it

ternity · 13 Jun 2015 at 00:30

like everyone else, just stick to compressed air!