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Crap! Sonic cleaner died.

JTGS850GL

JTGS850GL

Forum Sage
Past Site Supporter
My tried and true Branson 5200 is no longer working so I've decided to build my own replacement untill I can get it fixed. These puppies are not cheap to buy or repair. Here are the starting components for my DIY Ultrasonic Cleaner:

120W Ultrasonic generator and 2 60W 40Khz transducers (Cost $69 Delivered) Ebay:

iwaf.jpg


Stainless Steel Steamer Pan and Lid (Combined cost $24 delivered) Resturant Supply:
suo1.jpg


y8t3.jpg


Size is 12 3/4" x 7" x 6" deep or about 6L capacity.

Total cost so far is just under $95 usd.

I'll detail how I will build it and the results once the parts come in. Kind a cool project that serves a purpose. I'll use the components first to determing if my Branson's transducers are bad or the control board is bad.
 
Last edited:
azr said:
hmmmm.......interesting..veryyy interesting.
Click to expand...

Agreed!
Will be watching this thread.
Though a small cleaner will not cost a ton having the ability to build a large one for very little suits my empty wallet.

Be sure and keep us posted JTGS850GL
 
SVSooke said:
I'll be watching to.One question,do you need a transformer?
Click to expand...

No transformer needed. The generator/driver board accepts 110VAC as it's input and the output drives the transducers. They do make a 220VAC board as well for those over seas. All that's needed is an AC cord, an inline 3A fuse, a switch and some wiring. You could even add a timer and heater if needed. My plan is to construct a simple case and silicone the pan to the cabinet. I'll bond the transducers to the bottom of the pan using JB Weld.
 
I got's to see this.....

Can you list where you are getting parts from, who on ebay etc....

and what will you use for the liquid ?

Curious minds need to know....

.
 
Yep RB, that's where I picked up the generator and transducers. It’s free delivery from China via EPack so I'll be curious as to when it arrives. They say 2 to 3 weeks. If you search ebay for "Ultrasonic cleaner transducer" you'll see a variety of auctions selling everything from just the transducer to complete generator and transducer combinations. All of them seem to come from China. Just be aware of the input voltage, total power and the transducer frequency requirements. The generator board input voltages come in either 220V or 110V models. The total power should be at least 100W for a 1.5-gallon tank. Usually you want around 50W/gallon but it really depends on a lot of factors. The transducers typically come in either 28Khz or 40Khz operating frequencies. The generator and transducers must be designed for the same frequency. The 40Khz units seem to be better suited to our type of parts cleaning. 28Khz transducers produce larger bubble implosions (stronger) but fewer of them while the 40Khz units produce a slightly less powerful implosion but with more bubble density. This makes for a much more uniform cleaning process and the ability to get into smaller areas. The higher the frequency the more bubbles produced but with less power per bubble. One other aspect is that the closer to the audible hearing range the base frequency is the more annoying the sound becomes as the harmonics end up being more in the human hearing range.:(

The pan and lid I chose was a 6" deep 1/3 size steamer table pan. These can be had at any restaurant supply house online or local. The one I picked was an online store called: The webrestaurant.com. The prices were good and shipping was reasonable. I could have gone with a little larger container (1/2 size) but the 1/3 size fitted my needs well and seemed like a good match for the 100-Watts of power output. You could use any metal container. I've seen aluminum pots being used as well. Aluminum works great but, in most cases, is a little thick and is more susceptible to erosion over time. The steamer pan just seemed like a good match since they're thin walled stainless steel with a nice mounting lip all the way around and easily available matching lids. Most commercial tanks seem to be made of stainless as well. Still looking for a nice SS basket to go inside.

Once all the parts arrive I’ll start the assembly process and report back on the assembly process and the units effectiveness. I’ve got a spare set of clogged up carbs just waiting for this.;)
 
I might have to spring for the 50W unit. It should make a nice budget parts cleaner for wrist watches.
 
JTGS850GL said:
Still looking for a nice SS basket to go inside.
Click to expand...

Would a suitably sized deep fry hopper (think McDonalds's fry cooker) basket work in this type of set up? Another item at most restaurant supply stores? Does it make any difference if the basket makes contact with the basin or not?

Waiting to see how this turns out.. Cheers!
 
Great idea on using the deep fryer basket. I just found one for $5.00 that's just the right size. Length 9 1/2" width 5.5" height 5 1/4". Should be able to do two carbs at a time easily.

The basket really shouldn't touch the transducer mounted surface area but mostly because of the risk of dropping parts onto the bonded surface and the constant motion of parts causing the transducer bond to break or even fracture the ceramic piezo transducer over time. The transducers can be mounted on the sides of the tank to minimize this issue. The "parts basket" really doesn't need to be a wire basket. The one in my Branson was a solid metal pan with a few holes to allow the fluid to enter. The sound waves will easily pass through the metal pan as long a fluid is inside and out. With that said, make sure you NEVER operate an ultrasonic cleaner without fluid in it. It can damage both the generator and the transducers. Ask me how I know.... Thus the start of this thread. My cleaner was accidentally left on over night and the fluid level dropped to low.
 
Sweet, glad that idea worked out ;) I would be seriously interested in making my own over here for the other projects I'm involved in, would make life a lot easier fer sur. Keep us posted as you go along..
 
JTGS850GL said:
One other aspect is that the closer to the audible hearing range the base frequency is the more annoying the sound becomes as the harmonics end up being more in the human hearing range.:(
Click to expand...

I have wondered about this, I can hear my cleaner as a screeching sound not loud but its there and I always wonder what those noises can do damage hearing even though we might be unaware of the sound.
Could the sound damage/dissolve the tiny hairs in the ear canals and upset our balance?
When I use mine I switch it on and leave it.

Great thread. :)
 
My little cleaner makes a soft hissing noise, not at all unpeaseant in the least.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this works out as well, please post lots of pics.:pray:
 
tatu said:
I have wondered about this, I can hear my cleaner as a screeching sound not loud but its there and I always wonder what those noises can do damage hearing even though we might be unaware of the sound.
Could the sound damage/dissolve the tiny hairs in the ear canals and upset our balance?
When I use mine I switch it on and leave it.


I've been using my commercial grade 2.5 gallon Ultrasonic cleaner regularly for the past couple of years. It makes a pretty annoying buzzing sound when it's working but I can't say it's made any difference in my hearing.
One precaution I do adhere to is to not put your hands into the solution when the machine is operating as there have been no tests to determine if the ultrasonic waves will adversely effect the body.
Click to expand...
 
nastyjones said:
One precaution I do adhere to is to not put your hands into the solution when the machine is operating as there have been no tests to determine if the ultrasonic waves will adversely effect the body.
Click to expand...

Actually there have been a number of documented instances of bones in hands and feet being pulverized in higher power (250W+) ultrasonic cleaners.

In one instance, a military man used an ultrasonic cleaner to "massage" his sore feet. After a couple of minutes in a large commercial cleaner he found that both feet were numb. Upon standing up he found that the bones in his feet were completely destroyed. This left him permanently disabled.

No idea if a lower power unit could cause that kind of damage but I wouldn't take the risk.
 
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