getting smoke smell out of test gear - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: willb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 08:55:54 pm
content: I picked up a Sencore PR570II variable isolated transformer locally. The person who had it before was a heavy smoker, and this piece of equipment smells quite bad. I have cleaned the case quite intensively, but the insides remain problematic. What would be the best way/solution to get rid of the smoke smell?

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 09:54:06 pm
content: Haven't done it myself, but I have heard of people using ozone generators to eliminate the smell of a car they bought from a heavy smoker. But not the little toy ones that look like fans... I'm talking a real ozone generator like thishttp://www.amazon.com/Basic-Build-Removal-Treatment-Generator/dp/B00632Y4VK/ref=sr_1_11?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1360187533&sr=1-11&keywords=ozone(no affiliation).Put it, along with the odor-riddled items in an enclosed space and let the ozone do it's thing.Keep in mind, ozone is nasty and you do not want to be breathing it, so I'd do this in a shed or something.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 10:06:51 pm
content: Smoke odor is unfortunately a thin film of tar and nicotine residue. The only way to truly get rid of it is to wash it out, say with IPA.

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 11:52:06 pm
content: @saturationDoes that work even on humans???

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 11:54:02 pm
content: It'll go away in time. Happens with cars too - just a lot slower with the car always sealed up.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 12:03:42 am
content: It is impossible to remove the smell completely without actually cleaning as has been said. If you have access to a big enough ultrasonic cleaner, drop the whole thing in with a solution of isopropanol and pure water. Then after a day or so, do it again with only pure water. Maybe, just maybe, you can get the tobacco out.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 01:38:44 am
content: Take up smoking so you won't notice anymore? No, no I'm not serious.I've always been too lazy to clean the insides of smelly things myself. In my experience the smell goes away relatively quickly. I put smokey things somwhere where the smell doesn't bother me until it's gone, the outside gets a good clean with soapy water. The smoke residue is water soluble, so IPA is usually not needed.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 11:06:59 am
content: I just wash such things with soap and water and then leave to dry in a warm place, the residue from smoking reduces the life of equipment along with that of the smoker, the number of televisions that I have seen with an EHT short caused by the build up of smoking residue and dust over the years. I would clean it apart from anything else never having been a smoker I cannot abide the smell.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 12:57:22 pm
content: Yes, But cheaper with soap and water to get it off their body and clothes, then a gargle with Listerine until they smoke again. The problem is tar/nicotine in between teeth and the coating on skin and clothes.Yes, it will diffuse with time, but how long is anyone's guess. Yes, you can use water but you could risk damaging the circuitry if you use tap water, because tap water is most places is spiked with chlorine and various salts, which could leave a residue, if you used distilled water it will cost as much as IPA. IPA is safer and more effective as it will dissolve organics better than pure water.Most residue in on the chassis, if you clean it well, it could be gone. If there is a cooling fan, it will also be on the heat sinks, fan, and exit grill, focus on cleaning that first and if the smell is mostly gone, you can forgo doing the full PCB.Quote from: george graves on February 06, 2013, 11:54:02 pmQuote from: krish2487 on February 06, 2013, 11:52:06 pm

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 04:57:07 pm
content: You need to strip and wash in either IPA or water and detergent, scrubbing all surfaces clean with a brush. Only way to do it, and cases need that as well.

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 05:51:59 pm
content: My take on this:Put it in the garage until the (probably rare) time you need to use it. When you've done with it, put it back. Save the time and do something more productive.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 06:18:51 pm
content: Stick one of those plug in room air fresheners that have a timed fan in it and hardwire it to the power cord.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 07:58:28 pm
content: From that title, I was expecting something along the lines of a dipped tantalum cap catching fire and filling your test gear, and/or entire lab, with that nasty smoke. I'm not a smoker (despite the name), but I'll take cigarette smoke smell over burnt tantalum smell any day. However bad cigarette smoke is for you, I have to guess electronics magic smoke is worse.

author: Flávio V
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 08:54:48 pm
content: Quote from: Smokey on February 07, 2013, 07:58:28 pmYou could also try with yageo capacitors, they have a popcorn smell...

author: babysitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 07:20:23 pm
content: I bought a TEK 453, which had problems when vibrating, it was just 2 intermitting wire to board connections in the powersupply, so a quick fix for little bucks. Everything fine, electronically. The other problem is more persistent: Cigarette smoke.First I used compressed air to remove dust and washed the case with surface sterilisation agent and household cleaners and a brush. The case is not so bad anymore, but still the whole device smelly.Second, I packed the scope and a air ionizer into a cardboard box at work for a few hours and hoped that the ozone will do some good. I am not willing to stick my nose in to do a qualified test but I still smell smoke, might be less.Now I finally put it in the basement, and the picture will show what will happen the next days. I might sometimes power it up to get some temperature rise...The string keeps the fan in place.If all fails, I stick it into a hot chamber at work, stressing the maximum operating temperature...greetingsthe babysitter

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 07:28:35 pm
content: There is a smoke removing room deodoriser spray, you might want to try that. Otherwise you will have to strip it and clean the insides with detergent, wash thoroughly and dry in a dessicator. Try packing it in a bag for a week with cat litter ( unused of course) and this will reduce the odour a lot as it will be adsorbed by the litter.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 09:28:03 pm
content: Come on now guys. Don't forget that cigarettes and coffee are historically responsible for getting more engineering work done than probably anything else. Just because students replaced cigarettes with amphetamines these days to stay up and focus on that all night project doesn't mean you can forget their place in historyThat scope probably only exists in the first place because some Tek engineer smoked an extra pack getting the circuitry working just right.

author: babysitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 04:44:43 pm
content: Update on the desmokeyfication started on 1st: I powered up the stinky scope and was very glad that even after half an hour runtime to heat up the intestines of the scope, the smell was reduced a big big lot. Upgrade from stinky scope to slightly smelly scope !A leftover fan can remove a lot of smoke from a device!P.S.: I wonder why no one commented on the unsuitable fan...

author: qno
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 09:47:04 am
content: Put it in a dishwasher...