Parts still dirty, a bath getting hotter, and a machine that stops halfway through a shift: cleaning with ultrasonic cleaner equipment can become frustrating when setup and maintenance are overlooked. Before extending the timer or raising the temperature, check the liquid, controls and operating limits. Why ask the machine to work harder before checking whether the bath is set up correctly?
This guide explains how to use an ultrasonic cleaner for workshop and laboratory parts, using Jietai’s multifunctional-series and JPS-008A manuals. These manuals cover different models; their specifications must not be transferred to another product. Always follow the manual supplied with your purchased machine, available through the document center.
How does an ultrasonic bath work?
The transducers vibrate the tank and produce cavitation in the liquid. Parts need to be immersed below the liquid surface, with a basket keeping them off the tank bottom. The multifunctional-series manual also says the result is much better with a suitable cleaning agent than with water alone.
The physics is covered in how ultrasonic cleaning works; this guide stays with the controls and routines in the manuals.
Set up the cleaner before switching it on
- Check the location. Use a stable, level workbench in a dry, cool area. Avoid condensation, sudden temperature changes, vibration, corrosive gases or dust, chemical splashes and flammable atmospheres.
- Inspect the machine. Check for loose components. Confirm that the power switch and control knobs are OFF before connecting power.
- Fill before starting. Add the appropriate water-soluble cleaning solution, using detergent suited to the size and quantity of parts. Never start ultrasound with an empty tank.
- Load the basket. Immerse the parts without placing them directly on the tank bottom. The JPS-008A manual specifically requires a cleaning basket and warns against striking the tank bottom with heavy objects.
- Check the supply. Confirm that the supply matches the machine’s rating and that grounding is reliable. Set the timer and heating controls according to the supplied manual.
If your parts cannot be immersed in the intended basket, reconsider the tank choice before adjusting the cleaning cycle. Compare the benchtop standard machine range against your basket and immersion requirements.
How full should the tank be?
The multifunctional-series manual, covering mechanical, digital, power-adjustable and sweep models, requires a liquid level no lower than 2/3 when heating is needed. The separate JPS-008A manual says the cleaning liquid must exceed 1/3 of the container during use. These are different model instructions, not interchangeable fill rules; parts must also remain immersed.
Running an empty tank can damage the tank or ultrasonic generator. Do not move the cleaner while it contains liquid, because it may spill. Check the working liquid level against your own machine’s instructions rather than treating its stated tank capacity as a fill instruction.
Does turning the heater off make flammable solvent acceptable?
No. The multifunctional-series manual warns against heating flammable liquids and separately prohibits flammable cleaning agents in these benchtop machines. The JPS-008A manual prohibits alcohol, gasoline and any flammable cleaning liquid. Disabling heating does not remove those restrictions; use a suitable water-soluble cleaner and avoid strong acids or alkalis, which the manual identifies as corrosive to the control panel.
The cleaning solution guide provides further context for choosing the bath.
Use the controls fitted to your model
On the mechanical model, turn the ULTRASONIC timer clockwise within its 0–30 minute range. The indicator and operating sound show that ultrasound is running. Turn the HEATING knob to the required setting only when heating is appropriate; the manual gives 20–60°C as the usual best cleaning range.
On the digital model described in the multifunctional manual, the default timer is 05:00 and the default temperature setting is 50°C. TIME+/TIME– changes time by 1 minute, while TEMP+/TEMP– changes temperature by 1°C. Set the controls and press ON/OFF to start; press again to stop.
The heater stops if the set temperature is below the actual bath temperature, and its indicator goes out when the setting is reached. These heating controls do not prevent ultrasound itself from producing heat.
On the newer sweep/degas digital model, hold the Ultrasonic button to set time and the Heating button to set temperature. The countdown stops ultrasound when it reaches zero. If a power-adjustment knob is fitted, turn it slowly clockwise; the manual describes a 40%–100% adjustment range.
The JPS-008A uses TIME to select its cycle and ON/OFF to start ultrasound, with the L1 indicator lit during operation. Do not assume it has the heating, power, Sweep or Degas controls described for other models.
What do Degas and Sweep actually do?
Degassing lets dissolved gas escape from the liquid. On the multifunctional manual’s sweep/degas model, press Degas while ultrasound is running: the machine alternates 10 seconds working with 6 seconds stopped. Use this function when preparing a fresh bath that needs degassing; the manual does not supply a universal total degassing time.
Press Sweep during ultrasonic operation to cycle automatically between weak and strong ultrasonic power, as described in this manual. The manual gives no frequency span and no rule for when to use it, so treat it as a setting to trial on your own parts; these functions are available only on equipped models.
Why does a 10 L cleaner overheat and shut down after three 8-minute cycles at 70°C?
Those back-to-back cycles run at a temperature above the multifunctional manual’s recommended 20–60°C cleaning range. Ultrasound itself produces heat and can keep raising the bath temperature; switching off the auxiliary heater does not stop that source of heat. Liquid temperature also affects cleaning-solution performance.
The multifunctional-series manual recommends stopping for a few minutes to dissipate heat after continuous operation exceeds 10 minutes. The separate JPS-008A manual recommends a break after 30 minutes of continuous operation. Follow the purchased model’s manual, not whichever interval allows the longest run.
Stop operation, allow the liquid to cool, and review temperature and rest periods before continuing. Heating is auxiliary, and warm conditions may make it unnecessary. The manuals do not identify your machine’s shutdown threshold or establish why it stopped; repeated shutdowns require assessment by authorized service personnel.
Parts are not clean: check the bath before blaming the machine
Why blame the generator before checking whether ultrasound is switched on, the liquid level is correct and the cleaning agent suits the job? The manual lists those conditions, along with temperature and insufficient power, as causes of poor cleaning. Correct settings and bath conditions before requesting internal repairs. The table below is taken from the multifunctional-series manual.
| Symptom | Possible cause in the manual | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| No ultrasound | Disconnected power, blown fuse, shorted cable or transducer, faulty PCB | Check the plug and switch; refer internal faults to authorized service. |
| Timer does not work | Loose knob or faulty timer | Check whether the knob is loose; arrange authorized repair if needed. |
| No heating | Poor heater-switch contact, blown fuse, failed heating element or display-board fault | Check the plug and controls; leave electrical testing to authorized service. |
| Temperature control fails | Loose thermostat, broken temperature-control tube or digital-control fault | Have authorized service check the temperature-control components. |
| Poor cleaning | Ultrasound off, insufficient power, wrong liquid level, temperature or cleaning liquid | Check ultrasound, power, level and temperature; switch off and cool before changing liquid. |
| Electrical leakage | The manual names missing grounding at the supply or at the machine | Stop using the machine; checking the grounding and earth wire is a first step, and the actual fault must be found by a qualified electrician or authorized service. |
Operating noise comes from tank vibration and cavitation; higher power produces more noise. The multifunctional manual says cleaning liquid can help reduce noise. Use the lid to reduce noise, but take care when opening it because hot water and steam can burn.
Ultrasonic cleaner maintenance: clean the tank and check the fuse
Regularly cleaning ultrasonic cleaner tanks means removing accumulated dirt. Stop ultrasound using the controls, turn heating OFF, then switch off and unplug the machine. Empty the liquid when safe to handle and clean the tank and body with a clean cloth; do not carry the machine with liquid still inside.
The JPS-008A manual also calls for regular removal of dust from the electrical-control section using high-pressure air. Any work requiring the casing to be opened belongs to authorized professionals. Keep operator cleaning separate from electrical servicing.
Replacing the fuse
With the machine switched off and unplugged, locate the power switch on the rear of the machine and the fuse box described in the multifunctional manual; follow the manual for your model on how the box opens. The holder contains a working fuse and a spare; use tweezers to remove the spare and replace the failed fuse with one of the same specification. If access requires opening the casing, or the fuse fails again, contact authorized service instead of continuing repairs.
If liquid choice, cycle settings or tank selection remain uncertain, Jietai offers a free cleaning test. Use it to discuss your parts and cleaning requirements before choosing equipment or changing the process.