Help, how do I dry out wet camcorder?

1. Claim on insurance policy.
2. Bank check from insurance company.
3. Buy new camcorder.
4. Buy water proof case for camcorder.
5. Be more careful in future.

Salt water often ruins powered-up electronics.

This lot did a feature of dunking, powered up, in fresh water , non waterproof kit , and a surprising number worked after drying out.

But otherwise seawater over powered kit is a near no-no for repair, next down the no-no list after, even indirect, lightning struck kit

-- Diverse Devices, Southampton, England electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on

Whoops - two No. 4s...

That wasn't deliberate, making them equally important? Or implying that they are one and the same, if you keep it in a waterproof case you are being careful?

MIchael

If it was mine I would dissolve sodium bicarb in warm water and then soak the camcorder in that for a while. Then dry it out for two weeks and see if it would run.

But it's a crap shoot either way. Keep them away from sea, salt and sand.

If it was dunked in saltwater then you ought to rinse it well in tapwater to at least flush out the saltwater which virtually immediatly starts corroding the "works". Then dry it in a warm place.

Then take it to get properly cleaned and lubricated.

This advice used to be standard for still cameras that were predominately mechanical. They used to be worth repairing and could be economically. Probably for electronics these days the saltwater is certain death, and repairs usually less economically viable.

Hard to see much chance of success though. Time to get a new one I think.

Regards Wilfred

The one Rule about wet electronics is not to power it up while wet. Remove battery immediately, open any cavities and dry for a week. With salt water, flush it out well first.

NT

If you get water in the optics or the hard drive (they're not moisture-tight) those parts will probably be destroyed. Saltwater is nasty stuff, you could try opening it up and washing the boards but it's probably time for a new camera.

Saltwater? Throw it away. It cannot be repaired.

If ever it happens in the future, immediately remove the batteries and immerse the item in a bucket of clean fresh water.

Salt water is death to electronics, it's corrosive and conductive. Unless this is a very expensive camcorder then it may not be a viable repair. Dunking it in water as some have suggested is not a good idea, don't even consider it for a second as your problems will get much worse. Water will contaminate the lenses/optics and cause serious problems. Also, this is a hard drive based camcorder, water will enter the drive via the breather holes and destroy it.

The only realistic hope of salvage is for a tech to dismantle it and wash the electronics in distilled water or PCB cleaner solvent etc, thoroughly dry out, reassemble and see if it works. One thing is certain, if it's left as it is it will be ruined as the saltwater does its evil work over time!

The fact that the camera still has some functionality is promising however- it may be a tiny amount of contamination causing leakage current between adjacent PCB tracks or IC pins with no permanent damage. It will need to be looked at very very soon though if you want to save it.

Morse

I wouldn't take good stuff, electronic or mechanical, anywhere near the ocean, or other bodies of saltwater, even if I didn't get it wet. If I didn't have a camera, I wouldn't have pictures anyhow.

When I had a saltwater aquarium, I would find salt on the out sides of it and on the desk I kept it on, even though no one was touching the tank except me, and I wasn't spilling any water.

I guess somehow it evaporates and condenses outside the tank. Isn't there an expression, or did I make it up, about salt in the air?

I can't offer any helpful advice in this case, however. Sorrry

If you are inclined to email me for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

No, you are correct. I have seen audio CDs, stored about a block away from the ocean, where the salt has corroded its way into the 'spiral groove' and destroyed the CD.

One only has to observe the effects on cars which spend their lives near the sea- they tend to rot quicker than cars that live inland.

Morse

Indeed,Corrosion is building by the minute! IMHO,It's probably hosed. Insurance? Warranty?