Any sure fire solution to wet electronic devices out there

[KevinP73]

I took a spill in the kayak over the weekend and got my iphone and a digital camera wet. They were in a wet bag that wasn't 100% successful. The iphone was due to be replaced anyway but I'd like to save the camera. Someone suggested a bag of rice. Is there something else you've tried with some success?
TIA.

[Geoz1]

Open all doors that can be opened, and set it on top of the water heater for a few days.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by KevinP73

I took a spill in the kayak over the weekend and got my iphone and a digital camera wet. They were in a wet bag that wasn't 100% successful. The iphone was due to be replaced anyway but I'd like to save the camera. Someone suggested a bag of rice. Is there something else you've tried with some success?
TIA.

Damp rid will work better than rice. Get a gallon plastic bag, put the damp rid canister in the bag on one side, and the electronics (with everything open) on the other side. Pull battery out if possible. Place in sunlight or WARM (not hot) place.

[legion]

Silica gel will work two. You can buy it at any hobby store. Get the beads instead of the powder.

1) Make sure the device is off.
2) Remove the battery. Leave the back open. Place in a ziplock bag full of silica gel.
3) Let sit for 24+ hours.

[944Larry]

carbon tetrachloride if it's still available.

[rick-l]

vacuum chamber

[HardDrive]

I dropped my iphone in a cup of coffee. It freaked out and went dead. I cleaned off the obvious fluid with paper towel (got up into the ports as well). I put it on its side, and let a hair dryer(on the cool setting) blow up into the ports for about an hour. It came back to life.

[stomachmonkey]

Rice works, leave in the bag a couple of days.

[LeeH]

I think it's a matter of luck. I lost a Motorola flip phone that went completely dead after getting lightly splashed on a ride at Disney. A year later I dropped the same model phone in a river in Oregon. I could see it all lit up leaning against a rock in over a foot of water. I fished it out, took off the battery and let it sit on the dash of the car for the rest of the day. Later that night I powered it up and it was fine.

[RWebb]

yes, but that was in Oregon water -- it seems his dropped into Cali water

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by RWebb

yes, but that was in Oregon water -- it seems his dropped into Cali water

Better than just water, salt water. I was in the Pacific Ocean,

[RWebb]

I was afraid of that -- it is probably hosed, but drop it into fresh water - distilled maybe. Then try the above ideas.

[lane912]

isopropal displaces the water then evaporates-

[billybek]

Originally Posted by rick-l

vacuum chamber

This!

Works well, but if it was salt water you may have more problems.
I have one at work that dries out peoples electronics every once and a while.

[strath44]

Is the problem more not from shorting and circuit damage if it is on / turned on whilst wet.....

[Willem Fick]

Might be too late, but here's how to save an electronic device dropped in water:

• Remove the battery immediately, if possible, while still submerged.
• Do not let the device dry out immediately. This causes the deposit of mineral salts on the circuit bourds, leading to short circuits later.
• If submerged in salt water, place in fresh water for a fe minutes, to help dilute the salt content.
• Place device in a bath of methylated spirits or isopropyl alcohol.
• Remove after a few minutes and let it dry naturally.

Good luck!

[oldE]

Originally Posted by Willem Fick

Might be too late, but here's how to save an electronic device dropped in water:

• Remove the battery immediately, if possible, while still submerged.
• Do not let the device dry out immediately. This causes the deposit of mineral salts on the circuit bourds, leading to short circuits later.
• If submerged in salt water, place in fresh water for a fe minutes, to help dilute the salt content.
• Place device in a bath of methylated spirits or isopropyl alcohol.
• Remove after a few minutes and let it dry naturally.

Good luck!

This, but after rinsing, instead of the alcohol, you can place it in a room with a dehumidifier for 24 hours.

A friend used to have a cleaning service in which they would place electronic devices in hydro sonic water tanks, then just drain and place in the dehumidifier room. Just don't power up until completely dry.

Best
Les

[Willem Fick]

Originally Posted by oldE

This, but after rinsing, instead of the alcohol, you can place it in a room with a dehumidifier for 24 hours.

A friend used to have a cleaning service in which they would place electronic devices in hydro sonic water tanks, then just drain and place in the dehumidifier room. Just don't power up until completely dry.

Best
Les

Les is absolutely right, however I would then suggest you use distilled water (as they would typically use in a hydro sonic bath) to get as much of the mineral content induced by dunking removed as possible. Water itself is not the enemy - the salts and minerals left behind after evaporation is.

[Teutonics]

Too late for this incident, but I'm considering either Liquipel or HzO waterproofing for my next iPhone upgrade.

[red-beard]

Guys, a ziplock bag works fine!