Hello fellow Ozbargainers
Well we have this really good fan heater and a lot of dust has collected on the inside parts of the back of the heater. Can't seem to unscrew the back as requires different screw drivers, which we don't have. Would it be safe to unscrew and vac the dust away or would that damage the heater? Can't seem to get the vac head in close enuff cuz the back grill is pretty deep ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Don't have a leaf blower…air in can? Would tat be strong enuff?
It's pressurised and used for knocking dust off electronics.
Alternatively, make a makeshift attachment for your vac.
Dunno how to make attachment any ideas?
@Jay408: get a wrapping paper tube, cardboard tube, and flatten one end and try that
I use that to try and get behind the bed
@djones145: Awesome idea. I was trying to look for some cardboard roll but they're all too hard to squish.
Could always grab a $20 Kmart 240V air pump. Compressed air usually is $10 a can.
Is there enough pressure with the Kmart air pump?
Is this what you do or just an idea?
Tat's a brill idea. Will prob get one soon. Think canned air is not strong enuff for the amount of dust.
How are you going to unscrew without the right screwdrivers?
Warm the end of a biro with a lighter.
Push it onto the screw head and hold it there while it cools.
Biro can now be used to undo the screws.
Today I learnt biro is ballpoint pen…
👍 But I think need a lot of pressure to remove screws.
Make a thin nozzle attachment for your vacuum cleaner, or even just a thin paint brush with the vacuum in the vicinity.
Do it properly. Go get a set of the right screw bits from Bunnings. They are dirt cheap. Pull the back off and get in there so you can see what you’re doing.
I checked it out. $50 for 2 screwdrivers :( And no guarantee back will come off. Also wat if we somehow can't rescrew?
Nah, something like this: www.bunnings.com.au/stanley-31-piece-bit-set_p6060003
They are what you call 'tamper proof' bits. For unscrewing (and screwing back in) the screws that manufacturers don't want DIYs messing with. But you can usually find much cheaper sets around $10 in their sales bins, or at Woolies. Just take a look at the screw head before you head out to buy; to make sure the set includes the type of head you need in a few different sizes. Good luck.
Good idea.
If you don’t have one, it would likely be expensive to buy, but your best bet would be to use an air-compressor with a dusting gun. Pressurised cans are great for sensitive parts like computers, and electronics, but for anything like a heater I use an air compressor simply because either a vacuum cleaner, or a smaller can of compressed air just can’t get into the small crevices and blow out all of the dust. We’ve got a Vulcan radiant heater, and the amount of dust that gets trapped inside the drum fan is ridiculous, and both the vacuum, and a can of compressed air just weren’t strong enough to dislodge it all.
The alternative would be to use what is probably a hex driver of some sort to get the screws out. Just be aware that sometimes, though it’s probably not the case with your fan heater because you’ve identified screws, but manufacturers will sometimes just mould screws into the casing. So they look like screws, but they’re not real.
👍
Just use a vacuum cleaner
Attachments not small enough to get past the fine outside back grill.
I use a small air compressor to blow dust away
Everyone should have an air compressor as you can blow the dust out of your PC, fridge coils, air con fans, heater fans, etc
Supercheap Auto have sales everynow & then, so does Repco; it does not have to be a big one
I carry nice around in one hand, handy when you inflate your tyres
Take the heater & go to Bunnings to get the right tool to undo the heater; that is the best way to clean things is to take it apart (take photos)
Mine is not big, I just wait for the air compressor to build up more pressure before I continue with the project
I hope this helps you and everyone else :)
A normal air compressor is risky to use on electronics.
(Obviously fine on a heater)
I drain the air compressor regularly
I also don't turn it on until it is the same temperature as the inside or outside
By the time you put the job back together, the parts should be dry through evaporation (hopefully)
Before I put an AIO CPU cooler in my computer, I used to blow out my computer once a month
Been doing it for yonks & haven't blown anything up yet (touch wood)
An air compressor gets the job done quickly :)
👍
Thanks all for your suggestions: very good. I found an old mini baby bottle brush lying around and used tat to very gently get inside the deep back grills and vac @ the same time for now. Took out some dust at least. Will check out the air compressor/blower ideas too.
Try air in a can or a leaf blower