Unpotting wires

[jale]

Hi
I have a rebreather and the wires for the cells are potted in a resin-epoxy material.
To do some mod, I would like to remove the resin-epoxy to have access to the wires.
By googling, I saw that boiling water works but I am afraid of damaging the monitors 'cables coming out of the potted delrin pod.
Any hints for doing that?
Thanks

 

[happy-diver]

Do you really thing boiling will make a dent in resin-epoxy material
It should be soft maybe under a skin cut pick it apart and vacuum it

You're there what is it

 

[jale]

Do you really thing boiling will make a dent in resin-epoxy material
It should be soft maybe under a skin cut pick it apart and vacuum it

You're there what is it

Just watched some youtube videos...seems to work but what do I know?!
Try to cut it but too hard

 

[Jonn]

I doubt heat and water alone will touch epoxy, it’s a non-polar thermo-set polymer. You’ll need some sort of solvent like acetone or benzene. If it doesn’t cause cancer it’s probably not enough… Doubt that will do much for the cells future reliability either.

 

[jale]

I doubt heat and water alone will touch epoxy, it’s a non-polar thermo-set polymer. You’ll need some sort of solvent like acetone or benzene. If it doesn’t cause cancer it’s probably not enough… Doubt that will do much for the cells future reliability either.

Thanks for your reply.
It looks like I must prepare myself to do some kind of archeologist hard digging job

 

[moose_grunt]

Post some pics and maybe details about unit, I'm sure someone can share some tips.

For the inspo classic, you just have to keep carefully scraping away at it, but it's a soft(ish) potting compound compared to epoxy.

 

[GF99/99]

Thanks for your reply.
It looks like I must prepare myself to do some kind of archeologist hard digging job

Thats really the only way. As far as I know there is not magical hot water or chemical that will melt away potting.

The guys at the JJ factory literally just use a screwdriver and dig it out.

 

[jale]

Thats really the only way. As far as I know there is not magical hot water or chemical that will melt away potting.

The guys at the JJ factory literally just use a screwdriver and dig it out.

View attachment 764486

Thanks.
Ok, ready to sharpen my screwdrivers

 

[lucca brassi]

proxon grinder Proxxon Precision Drill Grinder FBS12/EF 28462 (PX475142) | Bromley Craft

 

[OTF]

Heat destroys epoxy. It will soften then become crumbly. You could try boiling water, might work to gently soften it but I've never done that. A heat gun will work. A small torch and soldering iron are also useful depending what you're unpotting. You'll still need to carefully dig at it with a dental pick or small scrapers but un-potting epoxy encapsulated components is possible. I wouldn't try it with solvents. Be patient and careful.