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Xtreme X.I.P.
I always use 190 proof Everclear (95% ethyl alcohol + 5% water + 0% anything else) as my interface when doing dry ice. It works well. Note that there is a 151 proof version that is sold in some markets where the regular stuff is outlawed and it is best avoided. I've never been left with so much as slush. Any other brand of the same thing should work fine so long as it isn't flavored.
Some benefits of ethyl alcohol over others:
1) It's only nominally toxic...you can drink it in small amounts as humans have done for ages.
2) It's relatively inexpensive and readily available.
3) There are no fumes to speak of when cold and when warm the fumes don't smell as bad as ketone fumes do (acetone).
4) It won't dissolve plastic or epoxy (PCBs, mounting rings, foam insulation, etc).
Note that rubbing/isopropyl alcohol isn't the same thing. It will start to gel at DI temps. Methyl alcohol is best avoided as it's extremely toxic to humans. Denatured alcohol should also be avoided. It's typically isopropyl (gels/freezes) that has been methylated (toxic).
Last edited by Particle; 10-22-2011 at 09:19 AM.
Particle's First Rule of Online Technical Discussion:
As a thread about any computer related subject has its length approach infinity, the likelihood and inevitability of a poorly constructed AMD vs. Intel fight also exponentially increases.
Rule 1A:
Likewise, the frequency of a car pseudoanalogy to explain a technical concept increases with thread length. This will make many people chuckle, as computer people are rarely knowledgeable about vehicular mechanics.
Rule 2:
When confronted with a post that is contrary to what a poster likes, believes, or most often wants to be correct, the poster will pick out only minor details that are largely irrelevant in an attempt to shut out the conflicting idea. The core of the post will be left alone since it isn't easy to contradict what the person is actually saying.
Rule 2A:
When a poster cannot properly refute a post they do not like (as described above), the poster will most likely invent fictitious counter-points and/or begin to attack the other's credibility in feeble ways that are dramatic but irrelevant. Do not underestimate this tactic, as in the online world this will sway many observers. Do not forget: Correctness is decided only by what is said last, the most loudly, or with greatest repetition.
Rule 3:
When it comes to computer news, 70% of Internet rumors are outright fabricated, 20% are inaccurate enough to simply be discarded, and about 10% are based in reality. Grains of salt--become familiar with them.
Remember: When debating online, everyone else is ALWAYS wrong if they do not agree with you!
Random Tip o' the Whatever
You just can't win. If your product offers feature A instead of B, people will moan how A is stupid and it didn't offer B. If your product offers B instead of A, they'll likewise complain and rant about how anyone's retarded cousin could figure out A is what the market wants.
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