Linux machine in an electrocoating plant

[Syngin]

This is sort of a strange question but I've got a Linux terminal in one of our plants that does electrocoating. Its only been there a month and now refuses to start. After I cracked the case, the amount of crap all over everything (particularly the heat sink) was pretty significant considering the short time it was over there. I'm assuming the issue is either overheating or a short on the motherboard.

My understanding is that electrocoating is done by passing a charge through a piece of steel that helps to bond the paint to it. If there's airborne particles of this paint being sucked in by the computer's fan, is it feasible that it could be bonding to the heatsink or motherboard in a similar way?

[folkert]

I don't think it will bond a lot better to your heatsink then other stuf. If it is attracted, it will first be attracted by your case.

I think the area is just more filled with particles. Maybe you can find a better position, in a big cabinet, or higher above the floor?

[LewRockwell]

Keeping Electronic Hardware Clean, Cool, And Dry 101

Electronics need to be kept clean, cool, and dry. It would appear that your most critical deficiency would be airborne particulate entering the unit via the cooling vents. If the unit cannot be relocated in a more hospitable environment then you'll probably need to encase the cpu in a filtered, positive displacement enclosure(and frequent filter cleanings and inspections will be required). You may also investigate whether clean environment air(say from a nearby air-conditioned office or shack) could be economically vented to the enclosure's intake pressurization fan to promote effective cooling.

Do the research and investigating and then offer up the best proposal(s) and make sure to present the associated costs and continued failures of the present arrangement. When we work up proposals and quotations we attempt to foresee and present all viable solutions and the pros, cons, and total costs of each(costs broken down into procurement, installation, maintenance, reasonable expected equipment lifespan, updates, upgrades, etc).

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[JRefL5]

You might also look at some of the Fanless units.

[ph34r]

Or some really long cables... I've got some USB extenders, will send USB over CAT5 cable (standard straight thru with rj45 connectors on each end) up to 100 feet. There is similar for VGA signal. Move the 'puter to a closet or other clean area out of the production zone.