My version of an Ultrasonic Record Cleaner

[Vinyladdict]

Originally Posted by kgturner

My UC cleaner is a L&R Sweepzone 200 I picked up off of eBay.

Kevin T

I am still on the hunt for a used machine to use in my build. BB has given some commentary on his 60Khz machine. Can you comment on the efficiency of your 40Khz unit?

Thanks

[Vinyladdict]

BB, is your tank removable or is it a part of the base unit?

[bbftx]

The tank is not really removable. It's enclosed by external sheet metal panels screwed together. Silicone sealant was used underneath the lip of the tank, sealing the joint between the tank and the external sheet metal.

the unit came with a lid and also a very nice basket, that can be lowered into the tank to hold small items for cleaning.

[bbftx]

For the typical 6 liter ultrasonic cleaner, the answer is 3, maybe 4 LPs, at a time. This is a function of loading and spacing.

For loading, the rule of thumb often quoted by ultrasonic cleaning manufacturers is:

"The total surface area of the substrates, measured in square inches, should not be much greater than the tank volume, measured in cubic inches. In other words, the total surface area should not be greater than 230 sq. in. per gallon of tank capacity."

If we exclude the label area of an LP, one side of a record is about 100 sq inches. (sure, go ahead and check my math )
So both LP sides together equals about 200 sq inches. Roughly a third of the area is submerged at any given moment in the URC, i.e. 66. sq. inches.

If you're using a 1.5 gallon, or 6 quart, or 6 liter cleaner, filled with about 5 quarts of fluid, the rule of thumb says that you shouldn't try to clean more than 290 square inches of surface at any one time (230 sq.in. per gallon x 1.25 gallons of fluid)

That would mean no more than 4 LPs at a time. (290 sq in. / 66 sq.in. per LP ). So, if you're trying to clean 8 or 9 or 10 closely spaced LPs in your 1.5 gallon URC, you're overloading the machine.

For spacing, 4 is pushing it, 3 seems better to me. That gives me about 1.25 to 1.5 inches between records, given the usable width of my tank. You might find guidelines that suggest closer spacing is allowable for objects in your tank. While putting several pieces of jewelry close together in a basket may work, remember that by putting relatively large LPs in the tank, we are essentially creating large baffles, running almost the full vertical dimension of the tank. These "baffles" (the LPs themselves) attenuate the cleaning action between the records.

[Vinyladdict]

Originally Posted by kgturner

Finished my ultrasonic cleaner this weekend. Still trying to work out the best cleaning solution, length of time ratio. I'm using a .5 RPM gear motor from ServoCity.com. I added a DPDT switch so that I can rotate the records forward and backwards if I so desire. The gear motor runs off a 12V 2.5A power supply that fit perfectly inside the case. I just cut off the captive cord and added an IEC inlet so the ultrasonic power supply and gear motor power supply are both attached to the IEC inlet.

I purchased the ultrasonic cleaner used and the case looked beat to hell so I taped it off and spray painted it. I was gonna paint the PVC flat black as well, but figured I'd rather finish putting the thing together than wait another day for paint and clear coat.

Here she is:

Hi Kevin,

Is this the motor you are using? 0.5 RPM Gear Motor

Where did you source the case and wiring connectors?

[AuroraB]

Just out of curiosity... suitable sized units for record cleaning is not abundant on Ebay....
has anyone tried the transducer and driver combinations of which there's a lot more pieces around?
Suitable stainless trays can be found at any kitchen suppliers......

[Vinyladdict]

I have found a lot of new units listed on Ebay that fit the bill. Here is a link to one that I am considering for purchase:

180W New 6.5L Ultrasonic Cleaner w/ Timer and Heater,100% Satisfied,6L,7L | eBay

[AuroraB]

Hm... 30 cm internal length.... means the through has to filled to the brim - or almost.....

Shipping over here will be expensive, though...

[Vinyladdict]

Originally Posted by AuroraB

Hm... 30 cm internal length.... means the through has to filled to the brim - or almost.....

Shipping over here will be expensive, though...

It seems to be the standard size tub for a 6 litre unit. The unit used by the OP has a tank that is 11.5 x 5.5 x 6.0 in which is pretty much the same size as the one I linked to.

[bbftx]

30 cm is the ideal length, if you want to keep the overall unit to a reasonably compact size. You don't need to fill the tank to the top at all. To submerge the LP to a point near the label, your fluid level in the tank will be at least an inch below the lip of the tank.
BB