Hey guys, I originally asked a question about other alternatives to cleaning PCs besides canned air but I decided to get the ED500 because of the price, size, & the portability. But my question is will I be fine if I use the ED500 at a safe distance, & touch my PC case a few times to ground myself?
Solution
Barty1884
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I don't see how the functionality, price, size or portability are any different than a can of compressed air?
As far as can you use it safely? I would assume so, yes. It serves the same function as a can of compressed air - it's blowing the dust (opposed to using a vacuum which would 'suck' the dust, that's a problem!). Used at a safe distance, I don't see it causing much of an issue.
That being said (I'm looking at Canadian prices), you're talking $90+shipping vs a can of compressed air
http://www.costco.com/12-pack-Dust-Off-Compressed-Gas-Duster.product.11228077.html
That's US prices, I pay around $16 Canadian for a 4 pack.
As far as can you use it safely? I would assume so, yes. It serves the same function as a can of compressed air - it's blowing the dust (opposed to using a vacuum which would 'suck' the dust, that's a problem!). Used at a safe distance, I don't see it causing much of an issue.
That being said (I'm looking at Canadian prices), you're talking $90+shipping vs a can of compressed air
http://www.costco.com/12-pack-Dust-Off-Compressed-Gas-Duster.product.11228077.html
That's US prices, I pay around $16 Canadian for a 4 pack.
Since I live in the US, this is how much the ED500 costs on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458578671&sr=8-1&keywords=ed500
That costs $56 plus free shipping.
I might worry about spending more money on compressed air cans. For what I do, it's not just a simple cleaning on my PC once a year, I collect computers as well, old ones & new, as well as cleaning my PC & for the fact that I get a lot of dust in them makes me realize that I don't think spending money on compressed air might be a good investment because I might keep running out of cans. Unless there's other approved methods than canned air that I'm not aware of. I know that using any vacuum has a high chance of ESD & so I decided to move away from using a vacuum. I used to use an Oreck XL handheld vacuum on the "suck" mode & get the dust out that way.
Barty1884
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Fair enough, it's worth a shot I guess.
Honestly though, I collect & repair computers too - really, really dusty ones a lot of the time. A 4 pack of cans lasts me a couple of months. So 12, I would expect to last maybe 6 months or so with pretty regular useage. I have my doubts whether a $50 purchase would hold out with repeated use. Reading Amazon reviews there, it sounds great for the once a year clean out the dust-bunnies, average users. But prolonged, repeated, frequent use, I have major doubts it would hold up.
It's totally your call. Just noticed though, DataVac did release an "ESD safe" version, which makes me wonder about the safety of this unit. https://www.metrovacworld.com/DataVac_ESD_Safe_Electric_Duster_ED_500ESD/overview
Amazon don't stock it, so $130, although it's stocked in numerous places across the US.
If you're going to go for one of these, I'd suggest plumming for the ESD safe one, especially if you can buy in a store with a decent return policy.
Honestly though, I collect & repair computers too - really, really dusty ones a lot of the time. A 4 pack of cans lasts me a couple of months. So 12, I would expect to last maybe 6 months or so with pretty regular useage. I have my doubts whether a $50 purchase would hold out with repeated use. Reading Amazon reviews there, it sounds great for the once a year clean out the dust-bunnies, average users. But prolonged, repeated, frequent use, I have major doubts it would hold up.
It's totally your call. Just noticed though, DataVac did release an "ESD safe" version, which makes me wonder about the safety of this unit. https://www.metrovacworld.com/DataVac_ESD_Safe_Electric_Duster_ED_500ESD/overview
Amazon don't stock it, so $130, although it's stocked in numerous places across the US.
If you're going to go for one of these, I'd suggest plumming for the ESD safe one, especially if you can buy in a store with a decent return policy.
Barty1884
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I'm saying I'd be surprised if it did last as long, yes. I could be totally wrong.
It appears more geared towards people who clean out one or two systems annually/semi-annually. I don't personally view it as something geared towards people cleaning numerous computers regularly, I just don't feel it would have the lifespan (and a couple of reviews seem to confirm that). There's no review that I can see where it's "I'm a pro, I clean computers for a living. I've used this for X years (or even months) religiously and it's still going strong". There's a lot of "I've used this once/twice and it does what it's supposed to". Again, this is total guesswork and it may well be worth the try.
The more I look at their ESD safe version, it just includes an anti-static wristband - I had (wrongly) assumed there was more to the protection than that. That's definitely not worth $70!
As far as the differences in using compressed air vs a leaf blower or an air compressor, to the best of my knowledge there's not really too much. I've used an air compressor to clean really stubborn dirt before.
The problems stem from proximity (hence vacuums), being too close to the components where electricity can 'jump' to the components. The potential would be there if you used a can of compressed air too close also. The same would apply for this little reverse vacuum. Should be safe, providing it is used at a safe distance (and has enough power to still clear dust - that's where air cans work great, they have great power).
It appears more geared towards people who clean out one or two systems annually/semi-annually. I don't personally view it as something geared towards people cleaning numerous computers regularly, I just don't feel it would have the lifespan (and a couple of reviews seem to confirm that). There's no review that I can see where it's "I'm a pro, I clean computers for a living. I've used this for X years (or even months) religiously and it's still going strong". There's a lot of "I've used this once/twice and it does what it's supposed to". Again, this is total guesswork and it may well be worth the try.
The more I look at their ESD safe version, it just includes an anti-static wristband - I had (wrongly) assumed there was more to the protection than that. That's definitely not worth $70!
As far as the differences in using compressed air vs a leaf blower or an air compressor, to the best of my knowledge there's not really too much. I've used an air compressor to clean really stubborn dirt before.
The problems stem from proximity (hence vacuums), being too close to the components where electricity can 'jump' to the components. The potential would be there if you used a can of compressed air too close also. The same would apply for this little reverse vacuum. Should be safe, providing it is used at a safe distance (and has enough power to still clear dust - that's where air cans work great, they have great power).
So basically saying I could just use anything, like an air compressor, leaf blower, vacuum, etc as long as I don't get close, I see. By the way, I think I'll take a shot at getting the ED500 & see how long it holds up over time. Most people just usually like you said clean out their systems annually/semi-annually. I thought the ESD would also come from my body touching the components too.
One question, though on a regular vacuum, does the "Suck" function generate more ESD than the "Blow" function? The motor matters too inside the vacuum which is responsible for ESD buildup.
Barty1884
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It's not that simple as generating more ESD. The 'suck', the vacuum (generally) has to be really close, giving more potential for ESD, more potential to create an 'arc'. It's not necessarily there's more ESD, just a higher probability of it causing an issue using a 'suck' function.
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