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Compressed air is good but there are a few things to consider.
Be aware that if you are using a tool shop compressor it may be too powerful and can tear components from the pcb.
Do it outside and wear a dust mask or stand down wind and try not to breath the dust.
Don't allow the fans to spin on the compressed air, you may reverse the charge and short components.
I never thought about the fan spinning issue, is it still a problem if I'm just using a can of compressed air?
The fan spinning and causing a short out is a myth. It's been tested and doesn't generate enough electricity.
Any chance you've got a source for that test?
Gamers nexus, Linus tech tips, electroboom have all tested it on YouTube and shown it can't do shit. Your goanna have to dig pretty far back as all of them did it as part of like bigger videos. But a shorter less formal, less well-tested less educated tester video should be pretty easy to find, though your mileage may vary on how reliable that video might be.
But otherwise yeah computer fans spinning backwards ain't goanna hurt nothing realistically. It takes a seriously big fan and a strong ass compressor to even get like .30 mv smaller fans in weaker compressors let alone canned air isn't even going to be able to manage that or even a fraction of that.
There's also been protection on motherboards against it for like 15+ years.
It also can only be a problem with the fans that only have 3 cables. The ones with 4 have protection on the fan it self just due to what they are.
Hell nicer 3 cable fans also have protection on them.
So if you some how manage to have multiable points of failure, AND you have like a 140mm case fan, AND you spin it with a strong compressor for a long time.
You might do some damage if it's a blue moon and you get unlucky.
You have a better chance of dying to a epileptic fit from reading what I just posted then spending a case van backwards causing permanent damage.
But the chance is not zero.
Realistically, you're just going to hurt the bearings in the fan long before you do any electrical damage. And if you do have a compressor strong enough to actually generate enough electricity to do damage, you're going to be f****** up the surface mounted components on the motherboard long before the actual fan causes problems
Yes, but all you need to do is stop the fan from spinning by holding it in place. This will be better for cleaning anyway.
I allows thought it isn't allowed to spin into the "wrong" direction, so I always put a pencil in it to stop it from moving. No idea if it's a myth.
I wouldn't worry too much about shorting as there should be diodes all over the mobo to prevent current from feeding where it shouldn't but you could overdrive the fan and wear it out faster. A can of duster can do this too so just hold one of the blades and blow around it as you move your hand to cover the whole thing.
As every electric motor is also a generator, yes. Just put something between the blades before you blow it out.
Those cans suck ass, at least for my experience. As the content cools of through expansion, you have about 20secs of charge before you have to wait for the can to get warm again :-/ but results may vary
I'm a big.... proponent... of handheld rechargeable air blowers after getting one from Wolfbox.
I always felt like I was risking frostbite with the cans.
I tried one once, it was weak and useless.
I got a plugin one instead of battery-powered. If I'm dusting a computer I'm going to be near a power outlet anyway so it seemed pointless to make it wireless. It's was both cheap and quite powerful, I use it for blasting dust out from under furniture and other such handy tasks as well.
I have a similar plug in blower that works great. Can't believe I never thought of using it to clean under furniture, thanks!
The cans work fine but you're only supposed to use it in short bursts not holding down the nozzle and going to town. I typically but a multipack and alternate between two if I need to use them for an extended period. Also keep in mind that the straw really limits the blowing force so use it only when you need to.
I don't like how when you aim it, pulling the trigger points the stream downward from where you thought it was going to go. How can you aim it better without the straw?
Thats something i didnt try, thanks for the input. But since i got myself a proper air compressor, i dont use these cans anymore
But the dust and hair feels so good deep down in my lungs.
If your compressor doesn't have a dehumidifier you risk blasting a bit of water, too, and with the pressure/velocity it can reach places that won't dry out quickly.