Re: [amsat-bb] removing water from electronics.

["Gene Harlan" <atvq@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

When I worked in a calibration lab (voltmeters, scopes, etc calibrated to
NBS standards), we had an ultrasonic cleaner that we poured distilled water
into, let it run for as long as we thought it should (hours), and dried in
an oven at low temperatures, usually overnight, as I recall. The oven
probably ran only about 150 degrees F. We would then power up and all OK.

Now mind you, I am remembering from the late 70's.

Gene Harlan - WB9MMM
Harlan Technologies - publisher of
OSCAR Satellite Report - OSR@hampubs.com
Amateur Television Quarterly - ATVQ@hampubs.com
http://www.hampubs.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward R. Cole" <al7eb@ptialaska.net>
To: <amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 3:00 AM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] removing water from electronics.


> Another anecdote from "watering your radio"...etc.
>
> About two weeks ago one of our tech's fell off the back of a boat into the
> 35 degree water of Cook Inlet, Alaska...and survived.  His radio took a
> bath, too.  The other radio he was holding in his hand as he attempted
> stepping from one boat to another got dropped.  It is now feeding the
fish!
>
> They immediately turned off his belt-radio, removed the battery, rinsed in
> in fresh water [Cook Inlet is salt water], and placed the radio in a
> zip-lock bag full of fresh water.  There it remained for three days until
I
> returned from vacation.
>
> I took the radio and dismantled it and sprayed it with water and dried it.
> Immediately I sprayed it with electronic circuit cleaner [mostly alcohol],
> toothbrushed, dried...five times.  The first couple times, using a
> magnifier, I could see a fine salt coating on the pcb but that was largely
> removed after repeated cleaning.  After allowing to dry for a day...I
smoke
> tested it [applied power].
>
> Zip...Nada...No worky.  I has now sat on my bench for a couple weeks
> [drying or waiting for the tooth fairy].
>
> I'll write and tell you the rest of the story!  {...to be continued}
> We may have it bronzed and awarded at the next safety meeting to the guy
> who went swimming ;-)
>
> Ed
>
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