[PDP8-Lovers] Re: how to clean a PDP8/A, dishwasher?

From: Johnny Billquist <bqt_at_update.uu.se>
Date: Mon Dec 17 17:07:39 2001

On Mon, 17 Dec 2001, Pete Turnbull wrote:

> On Dec 17, 9:30, Johnny Billquist wrote:
>
> Domestic ones I've seen won't. Apart from the soaking -- that's the point
> of using it, obviously. Very few things are intolerant: some relays,
> transformers, a few types of switches, etc, usually just because they take
> too long to dry out. And core mats, of course, because they're very
> fragile and extremely hard to repair.

Don't forget old transformers, which often use something looking very much
like paper for isolation.

> > Grab a bottle of isopropanol, some swabs, and start working.
>
> Doesn't work well on smoke-damaged boards, Coke, etc, and water is far
> cheaper and safer (for the user, too).

It works, but it requires more work.

> > ESD should never be ignored, but in the case of computer from the 60s and
> > 70s, ESD is really not an issue. We don't have CMOS, we have old style
> MSI
> > TTL here... It is not ESD sensitive.
>
> I think you'll find most experts disagree with you there :-) TTL may be
> much less sensitive than old CMOS and even modern CMOS and TTL
> replacements, but it is still sensitive and can be damaged by ESD. It's
> not so likely to be damaged when soldered into a complete circuit, but it's
> possible. I've had at least two QBus boards damaged by ESD through
> careless handling.

Eh? Q-bus cards, even the oldest you can find, are LSI stuff. You won't
find much of anything even *that* modern in a PDP-8. Actually, much Q-bus
stuff is really modern compared to what I'm thinking of...

        Johnny

Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus
                                  || on a psychedelic trip
email: bqt_at_update.uu.se || Reading murder books
pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol
Received on Mon Dec 17 2001 - 17:07:39 GMT