I'm not experienced in working on or repairing electronics (other than basic inserting cards and such). I have a Apple A2M2010 monitor that I would like to open up and clean with compressed air. Other than not touching the tube and other parts around the tube, does anyone have advice on how to safely proceed with removing the casing and cleaning the internals with compressed air only? Or should I avoid this all together? Thank you!
Anonymous
User login
Please support the defense of Ukraine.
Direct or via Unclutter App
Active forum topics
Recent content
Navigation
No Ads.
No Trackers.
No Social Media.
All Content Locally Hosted.
Built on Free Software.
We have complied with zero government requests for information.
Apart from the obvious issues of cleaning electronics with compressed air and the static it could generate, the big issue working with CRT monitors of any type is residual voltage in the flyback transformer.
There are lots of google-able resources and youtube videos on flyback transformer safety. Watch those first. Heed the warnings.
Then open up your monitor.
Well, there is a lot of googleable information—of dubious value. The biggest hazard of opening up a CRT monitor isn't the CRT; it's the exposed power supply circuitry, which carries the same risks as any line powered supply. This will be less if the unit has been disconnected from the mains for a long time: depending on the exact topology, it could take days for the stored energy to bleed down to a safe value.
The CRT anode is effectively a very small capacitance charged up to a high voltage. Because such high voltages cause corona discharge, this node is also very well shielded, and you will not accidentally contact it unless you remove the anode cap or the LOPT.
Thank you for the replies and information. I am aware of the flyback and other electrical shock dangers on a CRT monitor. I learned about them from a past coworker who repaired monitors at the componment level. I never attempted such an effort. My concern is that sometimes trying to clean or maintain older things results in damaging something. I didn't know about the static electricity possibility from canned compressed air. I have several cans of Office Depot Cleaning Duster spray that I use for a variety of cleaning tasks around the house. I was hoping that this kind of spray was safe because it states on teh front of the can that it can be used on electronics. But given that "electronics" is a broad category, I wanted to ask.
I did find a video on YouTube that shows a guy cleaning CRT internals with compressed air (compressor and hose), and canned compressed air. But again, the internet is a repository for all things good and bad.
Thanks again!
Most brands of "canned air" or "duster" spray contain a bitterant chemical called denatonium benzoate to discourage inhalant abuse. You would have already noticed an unpleasant smell if your brand has it. It might contaminate some sensitive assemblies like optical or magnetic pickups and I would avoid using it near them. It does not appear to be corrosive and should not be an issue for dusting off circuit boards inside monitors.
The risk of static buildup is also less with canned duster compared to compressed air through a hose. Not negligible, but unlikely to damage chips mounted to circuit boards.