Compressed Air vs Electric Duster

[xKyric]

Greetings! I have diminished my supply of compressed air and am seeking an alternative for those dreaded cans.  

I'm considering a XPOWER duster as a substitute, but I am worried about the risk of ESD. This duster works similar to a blower dryer, in that it sucks in and expels air.

 

From what I've heard, as air is transported through the duster, particles can brush against each other resulting in a charge. Is this charge powerful enough to damage components?

 

Here's the link to the duster: https://www.amazon.com/XPOWER-Airrow-Multi-Use-Electric-Computer/dp/B01BI4UQK0/ref=sr_1_1keywords=electronic+duster&qid=1558375330&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

Any input is certainly appreciated. 

[GrockleTD]

1 minute ago, xKyric said:

Greetings! I have diminished my supply of compressed air and am seeking an alternative for those dreaded cans.  

I'm considering a XPOWER duster as a substitute, but I am worried about the risk of ESD. This duster works similar to a blower dryer, in that it sucks in and expels air.

 

From what I've heard, as air is transported through the duster, particles can brush against each other resulting in a charge. Is this charge powerful enough to damage components?

 

Here's the link to the duster: https://www.amazon.com/XPOWER-Airrow-Multi-Use-Electric-Computer/dp/B01BI4UQK0/ref=sr_1_1keywords=electronic+duster&qid=1558375330&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

Any input is certainly appreciated. 

Datavac.

[GrockleTD]

It’s kind of expensive but it moves goatloads of air and is ESD safe

[xKyric]

Just now, GrockleTD said:

Datavac.

I've also looked into the Davavac, but I have heard that air tends to leak though cracks in the device. Also, it's more expensive than the XPOWER duster. Although, if it's safer for my components than the XPOWER, I'll favor it, 

[JZStudios]

I don't know about electric dusters, but we've just always used our big ass air compressor at a low psi and from a distance. I highly doubt an electric blower is shooting enough electricity to damage components. I'm also assuming you're talking about PC components which are generally pretty ESD safe, since anything that would be that sensitive you wouldn't allow to get dusty in the first place.

[ELSknutson]

just get an air compressor with a good nozzle you can find them for around $60-80 and they will have more the single use. Combine that and a decent paint brush with stiffer bristles that should be all you need.

 

This is what I used at a PC repair shop I worked in. the paint brush we used was cut down to make it stiffer. 

 

 https://www.amazon.com/Compressor-Horizontal-Campbell-Hausfeld-FP209499AV/dp/B002O15NRS/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=air+compressor&qid=1558376896&s=gateway&sr=8-7 

[HarryNyquist]

To be honest I find the canned air to be more effective and consistent than any kind of fan-based blower. Compressed air can also generally be used in an office situation without adding the whine of a DC motor and the associated fan noise.

 

The cans only disadvantage in my eyes is that extended use chills them, which decreases their effectiveness for a bit.

[RocketJump]

1 hour ago, xKyric said:

I've also looked into the Davavac, but I have heard that air tends to leak though cracks in the device. Also, it's more expensive than the XPOWER duster. Although, if it's safer for my components than the XPOWER, I'll favor it, 

I have an XPOWER and it's been nothing but amazing. 

[NineEyeRon]

I have the cheap white one off Amazon. I love it, cleans out my PC in a minute or two, just enough before its thermal cutout trips and it has to cool.

 

I would just buy it, it is 10x less hassle than cans, better for the environment and is more effective.

[Mira Yurizaki]

I have a DataVac. Also the one not specifically tagged as ESD safe. So far in the five or so years I've had it I've had zero complaints about it 

 

And the thing feels like it's built like a tank.

[geo3]

Get a small electric air compressor from Home Depot or other hard ware store.

I use one of these. Same as a air can but never runs out.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

On 5/20/2019 at 11:18 AM, xKyric said:

I've also looked into the Davavac, but I have heard that air tends to leak though cracks in the device. Also, it's more expensive than the XPOWER duster. Although, if it's safer for my components than the XPOWER, I'll favor it, 

What cracks? That thing is airtight and pretty much bullet proof. ESD won't travel mor than a mm or two in air so, as long as you don't actually touch anything with it, there is no way any highly unlikely static charge can discharge. It's so powerful, I don't even use any attachments other than the largest nozzle it has and hold it a few inches away from the computer while blowing.

 

I bought my DataVac before the XPOWER came out  and don't regret getting it. Even though the DataVac cost more, I still recommend it because I know from my experience and the experiences of many people online that the thing is reliable and long lasting and will still eventually pay for itself.

 

 

[xKyric]

Thanks for everybody's responses! I've manged to borrow an air compressor, so I'll use that for the time being.