WD fluid.

[RKC]

G'day,

I have had major problems with condensation forming inside my detectors and damaging the circuit boards and also damaging the batteries (the detectors are used in an area with regular heavy rainfall and moisture laden air). I even went to the extreme of of buying a diving detector (fully waterproof) to use on land. But I found condensation would still appear inside the sealed (waterproof!) detector and it took just a pin prick of rust to form on the edge of one battery (of 7 batteries) to short it. The major problem, in that instance, was that I wasted a lot of time trying to find out why it was not working. The rust spot was so small it was just about invisible and it didn't even occur to me at the time that rust could form to be a problem.

What I would like to know is ... can I regularly spray WD fluid ( https://www.wd40.com/ ) on the electrics, and batteries, to prevent any condensation building up? In effect using the WD fluid as a preventive measure.


Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[kt315]

I strongly do not recommend to use WD40 in all electronics.

ABSOLUTELY BAD SUGGESTION.

[Skippy]

I agree, don't use it.
There are various specialist products out there that may be suitable. But before smearing oils and greases over things, it's worth trying sachets of dessicant inside your machine.

[Carl-NC]

I would start by applying a conformal coating to the PCB(s), you can buy this from an electronics store. Then try a rechargeable dessicant, they soak up moisture and can be baked dry again. BTW, if you sealed everything in a waterproof housing and it still developed condensation, then probably you sealed it with very humid air. Try getting it to a very dry state before sealing it.

[qute1]

https://brownell.co.uk/news/custom-m...contamination/

[Andi68]

WD40

I think it only helps to open the device from time to time to dry it

[RKC]

G'day,

Thanks to everyone ... I guess I nearly made a BIG mistake.

I just remembered that when I first opened my diving detector there was a small bag of desiccant in the housing (which I discarded). I can easily add a small bag of desiccant occasionally (and should have) ... so that is probably the way to go. And I can open the housing regularly to air it. The time I got the small pin prick in one battery was after I had left the detector during winter (for 3 months+) in the mountains covered, under a tree. I had it in a waterproof bag and thought that would be enough to protect it for all those months. However, in future, I probably would be best not to leave any detectors for so long in such a moisture filled environment. Using a conformal coating would probably be unnecessary for my use ... and too expensive. I opened the housing numerous times, so that's probably when moisture got in before I left it for a few months during winter. I was breaching the manufactures instructions by opening it myself, but I can't send the detector half way round the world, and back again, each time there is a problem.

I've got two quiet old Goldquest detectors (GQSS V1 and V2) which both became faulty at the same time. They will seem to work OK at first, them would sound off in the air when well away from any metal. I minutely examined the circuit boards but could not see any obvious damage. Its likely there is minuscule moisture damage somewhere in the circuit. Its a shame as I could use these detectors presently in an alluvial deposit I have found with small amounts of sightly visible gold in large pieces of water-worn quartz. I guess I could get a Minelab Gold Monster GM1000 to do the job, but then I would not get the depth of a GQSS (being a PI detector compared to the Minelab VLF). Oh well, Minelab now have a service center in New Zealand so its probably Minelab from now on.

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[waltr]

There are two techniques I have used to remove moisture before sealing an enclosure:

1) Have open in a Very Dry environment. Mid-winter when it is very cold and humidity is very low works pretty well.

2) Bake in an oven opened at about 125°F (50°C) for at least several hours then seal.

Of course putting a DRY desiccant bag inside is a very good idea to soak up any remaining moisture.

Conformal coating is only good on the circuit board and wiring. It can't be used for the battery contacts.
If storing for any length of time Remove the batteries, this ensures they can not cause damage.

For your two Goldquest detectors. You might be able to get these working if cleaned and dried.
Circuit board can be washed with soap and water (remove battery so un-powered), scrubbing with a small brush (acid flux brushes work well). Then rinsed with de-ionized water and then with de-natured alcohol (methylated spirits). Blow dry with dry compressed air then bake.

This may not get them working but I think is worth a try since they are not useful currently.