Cleaning Antminer Boards: Ultrasonic Cleaner Pros and Cons

Hey everyone I usually work with S9/i models since they’re affordable and replacing hash boards doesn’t cost a fortune. Sometimes I put some in a pile to sell since they won’t work or they lead to constant reboots... but then when I try again weeks later, they actually work?? I only cleaned them with a stiff brush and contact cleaner. Anyone tried an ultrasonic cleaner? Got a 6.5l one, looks like it can fit an entire hash board, and the fluid should last a while.

I’d go with just compressed air and some isopropyl alcohol instead.

You know, I’ve chucked a few in the dishwasher before.

Ultrasonic cleaner? Nah, those vibrations might knock off some components. We use one at work, but it’s too risky. Also, that one on ebay looks suspiciously cheap... maybe it’s not effective? We have a small 350ml one and it cost way more.

I’ve used a dishwasher, too. Just make sure to dry them in the sun.

Wait, are you serious? Washing boards in a dishwasher? Water’s gonna ruin them, right? Any special detergent or just water?

Not joking at all. As long as it’s clean water, it’s usually fine for miners or most electronics, as long as they dry completely before powering up. Clean water and some other solutions are used in electronics manufacturing. Just don’t leave soap residue on them, that can be a problem. Rinsing with IPA afterward is solid advice.

But definitely stay away from those dishwasher detergents and rinse agents... They can be pretty harsh on metals and cause long-term damage after a wash.

Thanks for the tips! I’m about to toss 3 cards in the dishwasher with no detergent. Water's soft here anyway. I’ll dry them on the radiator over here in the UK. Then gonna spray IPA with a manual sprayer. I also got some brake cleaner in cans, anyone used that? It evaporates pretty quick.

Highly recommend picking up a rechargeable air duster! It’s way better than dealing with multiple compressed air cans. Made my maintenance tasks so much easier.

So I cleaned my hashboards with isopropyl alcohol and compressed air, and curiously, one of them stopped working after I reinstalled it. Like, what? Uncleaned worked fine, but the cleaned one... no go.

Sounds like a bad cable connection?

Nah, cables are good, so I have no clue what happened.

Maybe it’s ESD damage? Did you take ESD precautions?