Electronics got wet - what to do?

Serendipity

I know this has happened to someone before so...what do you do if your TV gets wet (such as in a flooded basement) but it was powered off during the "incident"?

I was thinking of using some PCB degreaser/electronics cleaner on the boards to remove all the residue and then wait a few weeks for the set to dry?

This is for my uncle's set and I am trying to get it working.

joeparaski

Sounds like a good plan. You could use a blow dryer to speed up the process. Not sure if you need 3 weeks, but a longer period of non-use won't hurt.

Joe

RuSsMaN

Lots of voltage in tv's, monitor's etc. PLEASE approach power up with caution - a variac may even be a good (safe) idea.

ben62670

You can use distilled water, and some simple green to clean the components(10 to 1) Rinse with straight distilled water. Beware of using "electronics cleaners" I have had them make a mess of my Adcom GFA-585 input boards.

Monster Jam

You're electronics got wet? You're lucky. Mine always has a headache.

Willow

Call your insurance...I , myself would never play with the insides while plugged in.

Serendipity

RuSsMaN wrote: »

Lots of voltage in tv's, monitor's etc. PLEASE approach power up with caution - a variac may even be a good (safe) idea.

I'm aware of that, 35kV is not to be treated lightly, especially in the high voltage section of TV's.

Sherardp

Unplug and allow to dry is the first step. Afterwards use a good contact cleaner(electronics cleaner, isopropyl alcohol works too) and then try playing it.

ben62670

Sherardp wrote: »

Unplug and allow to dry is the first step. Afterwards use a good contact cleaner(electronics cleaner, isopropyl alcohol works too) and then try playing it.

I really recommend staying away from contact cleaner. I learned this first hand. I would recommend going to DIYaudio and asking them. I learned from some real electronics repair men that solvents are a bad idea. Unfortunately I learned this after gumming up my boards, and making a mess. Simple green, and distilled water. 10 parts water 1 part simple green. Neither are conductive. Wash with a thorough rinse of distilled water.

Sherardp

ben62670 wrote: »

I really recommend staying away from contact cleaner. I learned this first hand. I would recommend going to DIYaudio and asking them. I learned from some real electronics repair men that solvents are a bad idea. Unfortunately I learned this after gumming up my boards, and making a mess. Simple green, and distilled water. 10 parts water 1 part simple green. Neither are conductive. Wash with a thorough rinse of distilled water.

Good info, I suggested due to what I've experienced in military. As a tech thats all we used to clean circuit cards, etc. And these cards were used in radar controllers that were used in air to ground traffic control.

michael_w

Monster Jam wrote: »

You're electronics got wet? You're lucky. Mine always has a headache.

Priceless.... nearly sig worthy

disneyjoe7

Fixed many TV's in my day, but I'm thinking if under water... Start OVER

I'm more iffy on the flyback, any filter caps not a pretty fix and sure it's not a worth fixing it. But your plan to get rid of the residue I'm in Ben's boat... Clean water raise hose then sun or set aside for a few days. Maybe maybe but still iffy.

jakelm

Monster Jam wrote: »

You're electronics got wet? You're lucky. Mine always has a headache.

LOL..you baaaaaaaaad......:eek:

Serendipity

ben62670 wrote: »

I really recommend staying away from contact cleaner. I learned this first hand. I would recommend going to DIYaudio and asking them. I learned from some real electronics repair men that solvents are a bad idea. Unfortunately I learned this after gumming up my boards, and making a mess. Simple green, and distilled water. 10 parts water 1 part simple green. Neither are conductive. Wash with a thorough rinse of distilled water.

I will find out if this works tomorrow.

Thanks guys!