   Related Links
|
Columns
|
Event Coverage
|
Modding
|
Buyer's Guides
|
Software
|
Technology
|
Interviews
|
Miscellaneous
Computers and Cat Litter
Page 1 of 3 Dust, especially clay dust, is a very real threat to electronics. Clay is naturally capacitive and conductive. In addition to its ability to short or damage electronics, it acts as an "insulation" of sorts and it will hamper the normal cooling of a computer. This extends to any electronic device: monitors, speakers, stereos, televisions - anything that's exposed to the air is exposed to dust. I have five computers in my home. No matter what the airflow through the cases, or what quality the air filters (even in passively cooled computers), the computers all ended up caked in dust. Grey dust like cement coated the fans, every static producing, conductive, or highly sensitive voltage-regulating MOSFET, capacitor, and electrolytic in every machine. When it came time to clean the dust out of them, I didn't even bother to use canned air. I used a compressor. Unfortunately, my situation is dustier than most. Why? I have cats, which means I have a litter pan full of dust and very little alternative save for tolerating the worst in messes. There are tons of different cat litters, though if you've ever tried non-clay litters, you know they suck. Well, I've gone through these alternatives to clay and found one that sucks less. Matter of fact, I'd have to say I like it a lot. Testing Methodology I carried out my tests in the low-pressure, dry atmosphere readily available here in Colorado. While these conditions generally accelerate the rate of desiccation of any given litter, they exacerbate its dust volume. All litter was dispensed in the same litter pan, a PetSmart Large. Anything larger, while potentially requiring less attention, simply won't fit comfortably in most enclosures. The litter was stressed with three "processors' running at a combined twenty years' digestive capacity and renal activity. These are not kittens, but their ability to perform is astonishing for their mass. Tests were run, each litter was observed and rated over the course of one or more bags (in the case of multiple litter manufacturer's similar products), and all output was filtered and discarded.
Page 1: Introduction & Testing Methodology
Page 2: Non-Clay Litters Page 3: Swheat Scoop & Conclusion
2 Comments - Read comments or write your own.
0 User Reviews - Be the first to share your experience with this product. |
|||||||||||||||
