Preparing for a wet digicam

[Sunny]

The responses to posters asking for advice on reviving a digital camera
after a dunking generally try to break the terminal news gently...

We boat to and from our vacation home most weekends, so there's plenty
of opportunities for expensive electronics to take an accidental swim.
Casualties so far include a Motorola alpha-numeric pager (which was only
down for 30 seconds, had the battery taken out immediately, and was
disassembled & hit with a hair dryer shortly thereafter - it survived)
and a Samsung cell phone (which stayed down overnight because it chose
to swim after dark - didn't survive, but it was fun to take apart

Would having a bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol handy, with a plan to
submerge any damp electronics in it ASAP after retrieval, improve my
chances of recovering the item when the inevitable happens?

Then what? Any other suggestions?

TIA

Sunny

 

[James Sweet]

Would having a bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol handy, with a plan to
submerge any damp electronics in it ASAP after retrieval, improve my
chances of recovering the item when the inevitable happens?

Then what? Any other suggestions?

In fresh water that might help, but if it's saltwater there's a good chance
numerous parts will be destroyed the instant the board gets flooded as
saltwater is a rather good conductor. Best thing to do is take extra
precautions that the electronics don't get dunked.

 

[Jerry G.]

The very instant the electronics gets wet, the damage is done in
microseconds. The water acts like a short circuit over the complete
assembly. The components in these units are very sensitive.

In electronic equipment, for a few dollars more, it is possible to purchase
models that can have optional water proof cases and or housings. Infact my
Canon camera can have an optional underwater housing.

--

Greetings,

Jerry Greenberg GLG Technologies GLG
=========================================
WebPage http://www.zoom-one.com
Electronics http://www.zoom-one.com/electron.htm
=========================================


The responses to posters asking for advice on reviving a digital camera
after a dunking generally try to break the terminal news gently...

We boat to and from our vacation home most weekends, so there's plenty
of opportunities for expensive electronics to take an accidental swim.
Casualties so far include a Motorola alpha-numeric pager (which was only
down for 30 seconds, had the battery taken out immediately, and was
disassembled & hit with a hair dryer shortly thereafter - it survived)
and a Samsung cell phone (which stayed down overnight because it chose
to swim after dark - didn't survive, but it was fun to take apart

Would having a bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol handy, with a plan to
submerge any damp electronics in it ASAP after retrieval, improve my
chances of recovering the item when the inevitable happens?

Then what? Any other suggestions?

TIA

Sunny

 

[Bruce]

Fresh water a must but I agree with Gerry, the chance of survival is slim,
if there is no mechanical parts, some dewatering spray may help but if its a
camera, the cost of eltrostatic cleaning is not worth it- water proof
containners
way to go

 

[Michael Black]

In fresh water that might help, but if it's saltwater there's a good chance
numerous parts will be destroyed the instant the board gets flooded as
saltwater is a rather good conductor. Best thing to do is take extra
precautions that the electronics don't get dunked.

Like having leashes so they are less likely to land in the water.

I've also seen people put equipment in plastic bags, and operate them
that way. With small and recent electronic equipment, this is feasible
in many cases. I think the main thrust here was to protect the equipment
from the spray rather than a dunking, but done right it would make
the difference for something that lands in the water. Get some
sturdy plastic bags, and one of those heat sealers. Before going on
the jaunt, seal the equipment in plastic bags. Rip them open when
you get home.

Michael

 

[Jim Yanik]

The responses to posters asking for advice on reviving a digital camera
after a dunking generally try to break the terminal news gently...

We boat to and from our vacation home most weekends, so there's plenty
of opportunities for expensive electronics to take an accidental swim.
Casualties so far include a Motorola alpha-numeric pager (which was only
down for 30 seconds, had the battery taken out immediately, and was
disassembled & hit with a hair dryer shortly thereafter - it survived)
and a Samsung cell phone (which stayed down overnight because it chose
to swim after dark - didn't survive, but it was fun to take apart

Would having a bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol handy, with a plan to
submerge any damp electronics in it ASAP after retrieval, improve my
chances of recovering the item when the inevitable happens?

Then what? Any other suggestions?

TIA

Sunny

Put the camera in a water-resistant ziploc bag,there are some made
expressly for camera use,IIRC. Or use a plexi camera housing.
(dive housing)