On Wed, 16 Jul 2003, Bill Frantz wrote:
Ever since I heard that manufacturers were cleaning assembled boards with soap and water I have wondered just how much you need to protect electronic circuits from water. You obviously don't want to allow them to stay damp so they corrode, but immersion for a time (up to weeks) followed by a fresh water rinse and drying might not be so bad. Do any hardware experts have an opinion?
If you can avoid it, do so. Otherwise I'd suggest that a few hours to a couple days might not be too bad, longer periods are going to be problematic. Especially as depth increases. 33ft is 1atm, I wouldn't trust anything submerged below that period. Saltwater is a killer. However, if you do get water (or Coke, Dr. Pepper, Beer, Margarita's,, Jalapeno dip, etc.) on a board then dry it off. If it's been more than a very quick dip I'd want it to spend 24hrs under a heat lamp (but limit max Temp to 90F). Silica Gell in a closed box w/ the board for 24hrs can also work. Irrespective of how you dry it, your next step is a alcky swab. It's hydrophilic and evaporates with no residue. At that point connect to power, find a monkey to hit the big red switch, and see if the magic smoke comes out... -- ____________________________________________________________________ We are all interested in the future for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. Criswell, "Plan 9 from Outer Space" ravage@ssz.com jchoate@open-forge.org www.ssz.com www.open-forge.org --------------------------------------------------------------------