Strobe Flooded - is it garbage?

[RussR]

I flooded my strobe while diving in Bonaire. The whole thing is completely flooded both the battery compartment as well as the electronics.

Is this now garbage or can it be refurbished?

It is an older Ikelite DS-50 so its probably not worth it but I wanted to check.

Does anybody buy flooded strobes or give credit off new ones?

Thanks

Russ

 

[spoolin01]

Are you sure the electronics are flooded? I'm pretty sure the DS-50 battery compartment is isolated from the electronics. I've had Ikelite refurbish DS-50 strobes with flooded battery compartments, it wasn't expensive if you like the strobe. A replacement will be $300+!

 

[RussR]

there is still water where the "bulb" is so I am pretty sure the whole thing is flooded - not sure how the water got in since it is not coming out....

 

[fppf]

If it STILL has water in it, then by now, yes its long dead.

If you have a flood and can get the equipment apart, rinse with fresh water. Then place the boards in the oven at about 170 degrees. But DO NOT place the batteries in the oven. Most times this will save the item.

 

[bvanant]

Not sure about the most part, in my experience it is more like 1 in 20 or so.
Bill

 

[fppf]

It really depends on the electronic circuit design, if its powered, and if turned on.

Water does not damage electronics when not powered. Fact is, most electronics are made with water based flux and the boards are run through a type of industrial dish washer. After this they are baked to dry them out ASAP. When baking though, the boards must sit at temperature for a few good hours. The moisture must be dried from all parts.

Damage will happen if the water is left to corrode the circuits. It can also happen in sensitive circuits when the water bridges a circuit path while the device is powered up.

Camera's are a different story because the optics get trashed.

 

[GLENFWB]

Ikelite told me sometimes when the battery compartment floods...it shorts out the batteries and cracks the case, allowing the electronics to flood. That is what mine did, and it was a total loss. But, I have flooded the battery compartment and the electronics were still okay. Good Luck

 

[bvanant]

In our experience making implantable electronics, you certainly can make some circuits where you can rinse with DI water, but not salt water. Salt water can lead to corrosion even when circuits are not powered. More to the point, many floods happen when the device is powered on. Strobes if they are turned on are charged which means that the capacitors will discharge through the circuits usually with bad results. I agree that battery compartment floods are not always dangerous but for most other electronics at least in my experience, a soak in salt water is mostly irreversible, not mostly fixable but YMMV.
Bill

 

[RussR]

Thanks for the help - I contacted Ikelite and they said they can fix it - not sure if it is worth it though since it is an older strobe.

I rented a sea & sea YS 27DX (after the flood) which was better than the DS-50...

I may send it back and get the estimate and if too much they can keep it

Thanks again!

 

[Ardy]

I flooded my old SnS 50 twice in the battery compartment before I realised there was a click to close it properly. Both times I rinsed it out and dryed it and its still working 3 years later. All other diving floods have ended in tears.

I worked with a computer engineer who was called to a uni in Canada with a flooded main frame following a storm. In going down into the basement he saw the lights on the mainframe were still on. They drained the cellar and fixed it. Evidently clean fresh rain water doesnt conduct electricity like dirty or salt water.