save a radio that had water spilled on it? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

samcol · 05-31-2005, 10:07 AM

I recently spilled a glass of water on my favorite radio. The radio turns on, but now the buttons work sporadically. Is there anyway to dry it out and get it working properly again?

BadNick · 05-31-2005, 10:20 AM

hey, I just noticed this is one crazy to another

First I would put it in a warm, sunny spot not over 100F for a couple days, a dry area would be best so evaporation rate is maximized. Not too direct sunlight or it could melt the case or something inside, most electronics don't like over 120F. After all the moisture dries, you may have to turn the rheostat type knobs up and down a few times to clean the contacts in case mineral deposits were left over, or use contact cleaner spray on each rotary switch if the few rotations don't clean the contacts.

flat5 · 05-31-2005, 11:43 AM

I, for one, completely agree with BadNick and would like to add:

If a cat pees on an electronic device, and you find out quickly, before it dries or the damage is done, you should immerse it immediately
in water. Water that is as pure as you can find right away.
Wash well.

Cat pee dissolves copper. I have seen answering machines and CD players that some cat did not like. Some of the printed circuit board traces had disappeared.

Here in Amsterdam I repaired a Sony Walkman that had been in a canal for a year. I used a tooth brush and dish detergent! The only components that were defective were the speaker cone (eaten by bacteria?) and the electret mics(lost their static charge).

Water's not so bad.

samcol · 05-31-2005, 12:15 PM

Thanks for the replys, I'll give it a try.

sashime76 · 06-01-2005, 10:48 AM

I dropped a page in the toilet once (water was clean, mind you), I got it out and took out the battery immediately. I then put it in the garage for a few day, it was quite hot and dry. Oh, I shook out all the water first. Hope this isn't one of those monster boomboxes.

gilbert- · 06-02-2005, 02:58 AM

Basically just try and dry it out in mild heat, slowly. It's best to take it apart so you get the most contact area and remove battery - it should work for you fine.
I've done it with my old phone, dropped it in the sink but i pulled it apart almost immediately and let it dry.. worked like a charm.

BadNick · 06-03-2005, 07:36 AM

Last time I opened up a TV to look inside, I couldn't believe how dirty/dusty it was in there. Maybe I'll take one into the shower with me and then see if I can dry it out

flat5 · 06-04-2005, 03:54 AM

Badnick, from one insane person to one crazy person, I would not recommend showering a TV. If you were indeed serious.

I always use a hose vacumn cleaner and a soft paint brush to clean TVs.
Be careful around the high voltage section and the side plug on the CRT.
Very high voltage will exist there weeks to many months after the TV is unplugged.

If you do shower a TV I would be interested in the results.
(shows with less profanity, shorter commercials)

05-31-2005, 10:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
samcol Junkie Location: Indiana	save a radio that had water spilled on it? I recently spilled a glass of water on my favorite radio. The radio turns on, but now the buttons work sporadically. Is there anyway to dry it out and get it working properly again? Last edited by samcol; 05-31-2005 at 10:13 AM.. Reason: maybe this should be in Electronics forum, not sure....

05-31-2005, 10:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	hey, I just noticed this is one crazy to another First I would put it in a warm, sunny spot not over 100F for a couple days, a dry area would be best so evaporation rate is maximized. Not too direct sunlight or it could melt the case or something inside, most electronics don't like over 120F. After all the moisture dries, you may have to turn the rheostat type knobs up and down a few times to clean the contacts in case mineral deposits were left over, or use contact cleaner spray on each rotary switch if the few rotations don't clean the contacts.

05-31-2005, 11:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	I, for one, completely agree with BadNick and would like to add: If a cat pees on an electronic device, and you find out quickly, before it dries or the damage is done, you should immerse it immediately in water. Water that is as pure as you can find right away. Wash well. Cat pee dissolves copper. I have seen answering machines and CD players that some cat did not like. Some of the printed circuit board traces had disappeared. Here in Amsterdam I repaired a Sony Walkman that had been in a canal for a year. I used a tooth brush and dish detergent! The only components that were defective were the speaker cone (eaten by bacteria?) and the electret mics(lost their static charge). Water's not so bad.

05-31-2005, 12:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
samcol Junkie Location: Indiana	Thanks for the replys, I'll give it a try.

06-01-2005, 10:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
sashime76 Addict Location: Hoosier State	I dropped a page in the toilet once (water was clean, mind you), I got it out and took out the battery immediately. I then put it in the garage for a few day, it was quite hot and dry. Oh, I shook out all the water first. Hope this isn't one of those monster boomboxes.

06-02-2005, 02:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
gilbert- Tilted	Basically just try and dry it out in mild heat, slowly. It's best to take it apart so you get the most contact area and remove battery - it should work for you fine. I've done it with my old phone, dropped it in the sink but i pulled it apart almost immediately and let it dry.. worked like a charm.

06-03-2005, 07:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	Last time I opened up a TV to look inside, I couldn't believe how dirty/dusty it was in there. Maybe I'll take one into the shower with me and then see if I can dry it out

06-04-2005, 03:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	Badnick, from one insane person to one crazy person, I would not recommend showering a TV. If you were indeed serious. I always use a hose vacumn cleaner and a soft paint brush to clean TVs. Be careful around the high voltage section and the side plug on the CRT. Very high voltage will exist there weeks to many months after the TV is unplugged. If you do shower a TV I would be interested in the results. (shows with less profanity, shorter commercials)