Ultrasonic Cleaner

[81GS750]

I know there are a few members here who use ultrasonic cleaners for cleaning carbs and other items. I'm in the market for a tabletop unit and was wondering what brand or model you guys use. Is there any specific feature you would recommend? I'm looking at something along the lines of THIS unit. Also, what type of cleaning solution do you use?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Nessism]

Wow! That thing looks sweet! Go for it and then start cleaning carbs for the people here to pay it off!!!

[wkmpt]

Most of the time I use 1:3 "simple green":water, and I haven't found anything that it won't clean, as long as the solution temp is around the 150-degree mark.

[Testarossa]

I use a Branson at work (machine shop) and home with good results. Branson sells quite a few different cleaners that work very well when diluted with water. I have also used simple green and even laundry detergent in a pinch. Definantly get one with a heater like the one you linked. My personal one has no heater or timer, and you have to start out with hot water if you don't want it to take forever IMO. The one we have at work is heated and it has a timer. Very nice. Don't forget and leave it on or you will have a baked on coating of crust when all of the water evaporates.

BTW make sure to get a basket to suspend those carbs in the tank. It's a no-no to put anything on the bottom of the tank itself. It leads to premature failure of the ultra-sonic generator gizmo that is usually bonded to the underside of the tank. Here's the link to their basket if you didn't already see it: http://www.all-spec.com/products/Cle...D/635-059.html

[rapidray]

This is the cleaner I bought off Ebay & it works GREAT! It comes with the basket, is heated & has a timer. I use it all the time & believe it was under 600 bucks. You have to disassemble the carbs from the rack to clean them correctly so this one works well for me at half the price of the one you are looking at. Make sure whatever cleaner you use, that it is one that won't discolor aluminum. I know Simple Green WILL! Ray.

[Agemax]

i use Mistral additives in my U/S cleaner, they make many different solutions including carb cleaner and oxidisation remover. works very well and is relatively cheap on ebay

[redplastic]

i scored a midmark like this one, holds 2.5 gallons, works awesome.. Ive been using 1/2 purple power and 1/2 water in it



Edit: for what ever reason, never never never, NEVER (I stress it because its very important!) ever use it with out the basket, If you dont the transducers on teh bottom of it will come loose, then your sol. So always use a basket in it!

[81GS750]

Thanks for the input guys! Ray, I've seen the units on ebay but wasn't too sure about their quality. I probably won't use it as much as you do, so it may be perfect for me. I really wasn't looking forward to spending 1500+. I do like the idea of being able to clean the whole rack at once.

[Nessism]

Thanks for the input guys! Ray, I've seen the units on ebay but wasn't too sure about their quality. I probably won't use it as much as you do, so it may be perfect for me. I really wasn't looking forward to spending 1500+. I do like the idea of being able to clean the whole rack at once.

Hope you know you can't just drop an assembled set of carbs in that thing. The carbs need to be broken down just like you would dipping in a chemical tank.

[81GS750]

Couldn't you strip them down and just leave them attached together? If your using a solution that doesn't destroy rubber or plastic, would it still not be wise? I don't have a problem breaking them down to individual carbs, I've been dipping carbs this way for several years now. Mostly I've done it to avoid the rubber and plastic parts disintegrating in the carb dip.

[rapidray]

Any time I get carbs to be rebuilt, I COMPLETELY disassemble them as this is the ONLY way to get EVERYTHING cleaned correctly. The orings get replaced at the same time so I KNOW there won't be any leak issues after I put them back together. I also fill every set I rebuild with gas to ENSURE there are no leaks. Then I drain them, pack them & ship. Ray.

[81GS750]

I'll continue to completely strip the carbs as I clean them, no sense in taking shortcuts. How long do you normally leave the carbs in the U/S cleaner?

[rapidray]

I put all 4 bodies, caps & bowls in together for an hour with the temp at 160F. Never had to do a set twice yet doing it this way. Ray.