Ultrasonic cleaner

[ivak245]

I have an ultrasonic cleaner which has a dead control/supply board. Instead of repairing the board I would like to just power up the transducers (they are the flat circular type) and use a timer to switch it. I was thinking of using an oscillator operating at about 40kHz, and run that through an amplifier, perhaps an audio amp if it works up that far. Anyone see any reason why this wouldn't work?

 

[bidrohini]

At first, make sure that the transducers are designed for operation at around 40kHz. Frequency mismatch may cause damage.

 

[Alec_t]

If the transducer's resonant frequency is affected by the cleaning load you may have to tweak the oscillator frequency accordingly to maintain maximum amplitude.

 

[Martaine2005]

What ultrasonic cleaner is it?
Cavitation can be from 25 kHz to 130 kHz.
Every day ultrasonic cleaners are 35/37 kHz.
Mine is an Allendale ultrasonic cleaner. Excellent quality tool @ 40 kHz.

 

[ivak245]

What ultrasonic cleaner is it?
Cavitation can be from 25 kHz to 130 kHz.
Every day ultrasonic cleaners are 35/37 kHz.
Mine is an Allendale ultrasonic cleaner. Excellent quality tool @ 40 kHz.

It is a dental unit, Coltene brand. I can't find any info on it or the transducers, so I am going to "wing it" and use the aluminium foil test to fine tune it.

 

[Martaine2005]

Well, fine and sanitary cleaning is recommended for 45 kHz . A standard 40kHz machine should suffice.

 

[Delta Prime]

What are you planning on cleaning your dentures it's all about cavitation! the bubbles! It won't clean a PCB board. How many watts is your transducer capable of?

 

[ivak245]

What are you planning on cleaning your dentures it's all about cavitation! the bubbles! It won't clean a PCB board. How many watts is your transducer capable of?

I want to use it to clean carburetor parts. The nameplate on the unit says 540 watts, so I am thinking they may be 200 or so watts each.
I use a sandblaster and wire wheel to clean my dentures, then bolt them straight back in.

 

[Martaine2005]

10mm socket gets those dentures tight!
40 kHz is perfect for engine and carb parts. I use one at work for exactly that.

 

[Delta Prime]

The nameplate on the unit says 540 watts, so I am thinking they may be 200 or so watts each

That's a damn good find!! Can you take some photos.

I use a sandblaster and wire wheel to clean my dentures, then bolt them straight back in.

You're all right kiddo! Nice comeback...

 

[Delta Prime]

I can't find any info on it or the transducers, so I am going to "wing it" and use the aluminium foil test to fine tune it

No!:that would be a mistake. Attached to a stainless steel dish a square tub it will help dissipating the heat for your transducer for any frequency mismatches while calibrating (finding) the resonant frequency . You should have an oscilloscope for this process when the resonant frequency is found you will see the amplification rise greater than order of magnitude. You can use inexpensive 70% alcohol rubbing alcohol as a medium to pour into you're stainless steel container it'll cool down your transducer. that's what I do.

 

[ivak245]

No!:that would be a mistake. Attached to a stainless steel dish a square tub it will help dissipating the heat for your transducer for any frequency mismatches while calibrating (finding) the resonant frequency . You should have an oscilloscope for this process when the resonant frequency is found you will see the amplification rise greater than order of magnitude. You can use inexpensive 70% alcohol rubbing alcohol as a medium to pour into you're stainless steel container it'll cool down your transducer. that's what I do.

They are already attached to a stainless rectangular tub. I'll hook up a CRO to see what's going on, I remember the aluminium foil test from my old service days. If it punched little holes through the foil, it went back into service.
It's in bits now, so not much to take a picture of. I can still take a picture of my dentures, if that' s your "thing".

 

[Delta Prime]

I can still take a picture of my dentures, if that' s your "thing".

Just trying to help. Yeah! Take a picture of them after I knock them out the back side of your head . Then you can bolt them back in.

 

[ivak245]

I will tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree for you.