-Cleaning- Power Supplies

[G33K888]

I recently noticed that there are a build up of dust and what not in my PSU.
Is there any cleaning options for this problem?

Thanks

 

[kilo_17]

Get a can of that compressed air computer cleaner stuff and blow your power supply out. That should take care of the dust that's built up in there.

 

[jb6684]

Unplug the computer from the wall........

Vacuum out most of the dust first. Just use the soft brush attachment that comes with most vacuums. Vacuum every surface on the power supply you can get to. (while your at it, vacuum all the fans, CPU cooler, and vents on the rest of the computer too....)

And THEN, spray with the compressed air. Keep the vacuum running to capture most of the dust kicked loose by the compressed air.


NOTE: if you simply hit it with compressed air 1st the cloud of dust will choke you half to death

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Using a vacuum on your computer is not a great idea as it can create static electricity and static electricity can kill parts of your computer. Stick with compressed air.

 

[jb6684]

My vacuum is grounded & doesn't generate any static electric charges.

To your point thou It wouldn't be very good for vacuuming floors either if my vacuum built up static electric charges as dust to stick to everything...

 

[kilo_17]

I think good old compressed air is probably the best way (in my opinion) for cleaning your PC

 

[iam2thecrowe]

Compressed air FTW, just do it outside and use a dust mask if your asthmatic. Or you can just hold your breath for a few seconds. I normally open the power supply up to clean it properly, i dont reccommend you do this unless you are aware of the potential dangers of this (electric shock, yes even if its turned off and unplugged)

 

[Motopsychojdn]

And unplug your fans connections to the mobo before you make them all spinny with the air, dont want you frying your mobo with the created current,
if you do want to use a vacuum cleaner though, check out my link to ground one yourself.
Moto

 

[ojas]

i seriously dont think you should open the PSU even if you know the dangers...these things can retain serious amounts of voltage long after they've been turned off...

 

[Motopsychojdn]

^Good advice,
however I dont think anyone was actually advocating opening the psu up, I certainly wasn't
Moto

 

[jb6684]

Yeah, don't open the power supply... it's a pain finding all those screws hidden under those stickers that say opening will void your warranty, no user serviceable components inside, or hazardous voltages risk of electrocution anyway ....

 

[Snipergod87]

Yeah, don't open the power supply... it's a pain finding all those screws hidden under those stickers that say opening will void your warranty, no user serviceable components inside, or hazardous voltages risk of electrocution anyway ....

I salvaged a fan from a dead PSU, did some mods and used it as a case fan. They lie about the no user serviceable parts.