Steeping Times and an Ultrasonic Cleaner Part III

[dannyv45]

Danny's ...135W including the heater...
I think unless we don't buy the one Danny has, we're going to get a thumbs down on our choices LOL
Danny wasn't impressed with mine...New Ultrasonic Cleaner Timer Heater 1 7 Gallon Free | eBay

I didn't say I was unimpressed I just though $259.00 is an awful lot of money to pay for a UC for steeping. But as you pointed out in your reply to my comment "I would be using it for a lot more then just steeping" then that perfectly justifies your purchase.

If a UC is reasonably priced, has the features common to steeping I never knock the product. But if a person is way off track with lets say a very low power battery operated model with a 3 minute timer I will recommend what I have. If someone asks for a recommendation I will recommend what I have. I really don't get where you got the idea that my opinion is mine is the only one worth having.

 

[JohnDaddyo]

Fair enough. I guess it seemed that way
By the way, mine is 300W total. 175 and 175. Has a 1 hour timer. If I was on a strict budget and had to scrape and scratch, I wouldn't have chosen this one However, if money was no object??? Holy POOP!! Some of these things are thousands!!
I tend to order now and pay later. Both through the bank and my wife!!
Ever heard the term, "Do we really need that?"

 

[dannyv45]

Yah, Kinda noticed that theme reading thru the thread. the Joy4Less is a rebranded Isonic. The one I purchased is a couple model numbers higher. The square tank Danny has is reportedly better for mixing due to even distribution of the US waves in a square tank. I got this one because the info said the 4810 heater is set on 149 degrees and the one i got has 5 heat settings, two of which should be good for steeping. In addition. Like the cutoff circuit if it feels it is over stressed. Also can fit other things that might benefit from the UC.

I will see how it works out. I am sure it will work fine.

Same specs as the one I have it will work out fine.

 

[mikepetro]

Here is a slightly less expensive option that has been performing FANTASTIC for me:
Kendal Commercial Grade 220 Watts 3 liters HEATED ULTRASONIC CLEANER HB23: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Ever heard the term, "Do we really need that?"

If I only had a dollar for every time......

 

[SeniorBoy]

A friend asked me to clean his very expensive Mechanical Mod in my UC. It's a Poldiac and he wants to clean the inside and outside. I've never done this and I'm nervous. Although it has no circuit board and we would remove the 18650, I have two questions:

Is it safe to do this?

What cleaning solution should we use? Or will just plain old water do the trick. It's brass on the outside.

Thanks in advance

 

[mikepetro]

A friend asked me to clean his very expensive Mechanical Mod in my UC. It's a Poldiac and he wants to clean the inside and outside. I've never done this and I'm nervous. Although it has no circuit board and we would remove the 18650, I have two questions:

Is it safe to do this?

What cleaning solution should we use? Or will just plain old water do the trick. It's brass on the outside.

Thanks in advance

Yes, it is safe. Reloaders use ultrasonics to clean brass shell casings all of the time, in fact many UCs are marketed just for that purpose.

I would use a weak Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) solution. Thats what we use at work in our big 500 gallon UCs and is probably the most common cleaning agent used in UCs unless it is a very special application.
http://www.amazon.com/Dap-63001-Pur..._sim_hg_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0ES786WFMDZD4CM2B0PA
(note: I didnt shop around for best price, just grabbed the first link I could find)

 

[SeniorBoy]

Thanks so much Mike. Your a treasure. Just to be safe since he is a good friend, is it safe to clean the inside of this mechanical mod? I didn't look but I'm guessing their is a battery contact thingy of some sort inside it along with a spring and fire button.

Thanks again.

 

[JohnDaddyo]

"By the way, mine is 300W total. 175 and 175" <---<<<

Some of you missed a golden opportunity! My father begged me to finish the 4th grade.

 

[mikepetro]

Thanks so much Mike. Your a treasure. Just to be safe since he is a good friend, is it safe to clean the inside of this mechanical mod? I didn't look but I'm guessing their is a battery contact thingy of some sort inside it along with a spring and fire button.

Thanks again.

I am not familiar with his particular Mod so I cant speak to the materials in it. Different versions of the Podiac used different metals, and if I am not mistaken none of the authentic Podiacs have any aluminum in them, but I am not sure about the clones.

If its not a clone I wouldnt hesitate if it were mine as a weak TSP solution is pretty safe. It wont hurt any of the plastic parts, it wont hurt the brass, it wont hurt the SS or the rhodium, but a UC will eat aluminum, its not the TSP but the UC itself that will do it. Most high end Mods dont use aluminum though.

If you are nervous just take the fire button and atty end off and clean the tube in the UC.

 

[SeniorBoy]

Much thanks Mike for a very informative series of posts.

 

[hngntuf]

"By the way, mine is 300W total. 175 and 175" <---<<<

Some of you missed a golden opportunity! My father begged me to finish the 4th grade.

I fought with myself for 2 hours over that. My OCD almost won...

 

[alex1]

Is anyone uses this UC:
Industrial Grade Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner Heater for Lab Dental FCC App | eBay

I just ordered 1L version, hope it's gonna work well for steeping.

 

[Ld3441]

Is anyone uses this UC:
Industrial Grade Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner Heater for Lab Dental FCC App | eBay

I just ordered 1L version, hope it's gonna work well for steeping.

That one will work fine. Good luck!

 

[mikepetro]

Is anyone uses this UC:
Industrial Grade Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner Heater for Lab Dental FCC App | eBay

I just ordered 1L version, hope it's gonna work well for steeping.

I use the 2.5L version and I have been very pleased with it.

 

[cough]

im new in diy, i made my first juice, its steep normal for about week, then my uc come so i put this 1 week steeped juice to uc for 30min, then vape and im fall in love, next i made the same juice after i mix it i make 3-4h uc bath, then it steep normal 2 days, now it taste not that good, somethink chemical, i take cap off for several hours, and nothink happend, i use plastic bottle, so it is any chance that plastic bottle in uc with warm water add to my juice some chemical taste from plasic bottle?

 

[mikepetro]

im new in diy, i made my first juice, its steep normal for about week, then my uc come so i put this 1 week steeped juice to uc for 30min, then vape and im fall in love, next i made the same juice after i mix it i make 3-4h uc bath, then it steep normal 2 days, now it taste not that good, somethink chemical, i take cap off for several hours, and nothink happend, i use plastic bottle, so it is any chance that plastic bottle in uc with warm water add to my juice some chemical taste from plasic bottle?

It is possible. Some plasticizers can leech out. It really all depends on what kind of bottle you used. Some plastics leach worse than others. It is highly recommend that you use glass. It will work faster and glass wont leach. Even if I pour it into a plastic bottle afterwards, I always use a glass beaker or jar or whatever.

 

[JohnDaddyo]

mikepetro...

This might seem a 'setup' given the pm I just sent but, I promise I thought about this after the pm!
My cleaner New Ultrasonic Cleaner Timer Heater 1 7 Gallon Free | eBay does not have a marked water level line in it. I read somewhere about under filling the tank does not mean a more concentrated cleaning. If I were to put small glass bottles in, is it OK to fill the cleaner just to the height of the bottles?

 

[mikepetro]

mikepetro...

This might seem a 'setup' given the pm I just sent but, I promise I thought about this after the pm!
My cleaner New Ultrasonic Cleaner Timer Heater 1 7 Gallon Free | eBay does not have a marked water level line in it. I read somewhere about under filling the tank does not mean a more concentrated cleaning. If I were to put small glass bottles in, is it OK to fill the cleaner just to the height of the bottles?

To the best of my knowledge the biggest concern is not to let your tank run dry as that will lead to burning out your transducers. I personally never run mine less than 1/4 full. However I will readily adjust the level according to the buoyancy of my bottles. I like the bottles to almost float a little, in other words be just a wee bit buoyant. Not enough to tip over but enough that their weight is not fully resting on the bottom of the basket.

Two things to keep in mind, allow for a little evaporation according to the length of your timer, and the lower the water level (ie less water) the faster your water will heat up. You dont want to heat your nic above 50C.

 

[JohnDaddyo]

Gotcha. The first time, my plastic bottles were floating. I've since bought all glass and transferred them.
120F. I'll use my thermometer next time. Not good to put bottles directly on the tank bottom?
Man, that basket makes for a nice, long rattle!

 

[mikepetro]

BTW, I find that having a smaller size of wire basket than what came with the unit is helpful. I will put the smaller basket inside of the bigger one, then use the smaller one to help keep bottles upright. Glass bottles filled with plain water are also good spacers.