[PDP8-Lovers] how to clean a PDP8/A, dishwasher? - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

15 Dec 2001

From: Jeffrey S. Sharp &lt;jss(a)subatomix.com&gt;

...
 I asked and was told not to clean the core, that
whatever junk gets stuck
...
 in there wou't hurt the core's operation. 
Maybe it's time for round 2 of
...
 the discussion.

What if something in that dust is conductive? 

I'd rise in clean water maybe Isopropanol(91% or better) by dipping in a
pan with a large quanitiy.  Agitate minimally, no brushing or high
pressure air near the mat.  dry with warm (NOT HOT) hairdryer.

...
 What if something in that dust has wierd magnetic
properties?
What if that dust interferes with the core's cooling? 

See above.

...
 What if I slowly dipped the core board into a pan of
IPA or distilled
water, then slowly lifted it out, and repeated until the core board was
clean? 

IPA may not be the best bet for the muck.  Use a lage quanity so that
you don't saturate the solution with the muck.  Rinse again with fresh
solution to further remove the muck.   You might try water with
a small (1%) amount of detergent too.  Risnse water out with IPA and
blow dry with hair dryer on warm, not hot.

Remember IPA is flammable and to do a PDP-8 core I'd use about
2 quarts (2L for those on the otherside) for first rine and about the
same for the second.  So use care and DO IT OUTSIDE.

Allison