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Dunked Transmitter

PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2004 7:50 pm
by MichaelJ2K
After a very bad day (at least for me) at Mt. Laurel, I add insult to injury by dropping my Ace transmitter in the pond.[V][V][V][8][8][8] Anybody have some suggestions on how to make it work again?

PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2004 9:44 pm
by Doug Wotring
I would suggest taking it apart and letting it dry completley...if you luck changes it may work just fine once it drys out

PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2004 12:17 pm
by MichaelJ2K
Thanks Doug, I removed the backplate and put it on an electric heater overnight. I checked it this morning and it powered up. I'm happy it wasn't salt water[:0]

PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2004 5:34 pm
by Jim Hale
You may want to flush the internals with distilled water, after you dry it out, assuming that the transmitter still works. The distilled water will remove some of the contaminates that tend to get onto circuit boards, and make them stop working. The transmitter may work fine after you dry it out, but may stop a few days or weeks later. amhik.

PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2004 9:58 pm
by PaulP
Having been there myself,

I immediately remove the battery. I then pour alcohol (not the drinking kind, save that for later) over the board and into the pots, any place that water may accumulate. The alcohol will not hurt the board and will displace any water. You want to get the water off the board as quickly as possible and the alcohol will not corrode anything.

Then the attack of the hair dryer. Don't be surprised to see a lot of white residue. The alcohol will dissolve any flux left on the board during manufacturing and it shows up as a white powder upon drying.

My transmitter has been in the drink twice. Once my fault, once due to a broken neck strap. It still works fine.

Paul P

PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2004 10:48 pm
by Larry Ludwig
I would use a specific electronic cleaner, something with an extremely low flashpoint that evaporates almost immediately. It will leave behind a lubricant and will not cross any circuits. I have used LPS Contact Cleaner for 20+ years with good success. Dr. Pepper is about the toughest... heheheh. I worked in an arcade to kill time when I was stuck out of town and we would get PCB's that were soaked in various liquids, usually soft drinks.

PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2004 11:14 am
by MichaelJ2K
Thanks guys, I'll pick up a can of cleaner. That's the second time I dunked a transmitter. The first time I managed to take a bath along with the transmitter but that is a story for another time.[:D][:0]

Re: Dunked Transmitter

PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:16 am
by bigfoot55
Just to bring some other experiences in this thread:

Rob Guyett from another old thread on transmitter problems.-
"On the point about dunking Tx's, My son dropped my 6EX 2.4 GHz in the lake (salt water) over a year ago. We pulled the battery out, took the back off, run it under a tap for a few minutes, shook the %$#%$ out of it then left it in the sun for a few hours before trying it out again. Still using it to this day. A club mate has done the same to his 6ex 2.4 TWICE (way clumsier than my son)and his is still going. Interstingly I have seen a couple of other 2.4 GHz radio brands similarly drowned and neither ever worked again. Perhaps they didn't apply the required amount of %$#%$ shaking [:)]"

My experience this weekend.
Turned off AND REMOVED THE BATTERY at once>
Took the back off immediaty and dried it as best I could, poured bottle of water over it and put it in the sun with the wind blowing on it. (did a little of Robs %$#%$ shaking).
Had the car A/C blowing on it on the way home.( not recommended for driving safety)
At home, blew and sucked air through it with a shop vac, and used hair drier.
Then soaked all the electronics with Corrosion X and let it drain and dry again overnight with a fan blowing in it. (other suggestions I have used are Corrosion Block, CRC 666 (656))
Sat all night with the fan blowing on it, tried it next AM and it powered up, then tried with receiver and seems to work fine.
Only thing I think I need to do is replace the shrink wrap on batt pack.(and a safety cord on the neck strap)
Key is to get the power off and dry it quickly.
If salt water more soaking rinse with fresh water.

Re: Dunked Transmitter

PostPosted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 10:13 am
by bigfoot55
Another Corrosion X succes. ( fresh water)
Fell off the dock. Transmitter, 2 car fobs , cell phone. Rinsed with clean water. used Corrosion X (keep in box) soaked and drained. . After got home, used vac and blew air thru them.