Keeping the inside dry

[htmanlev]

Hey whatsup my names Lev, i just recently got into the r/c boat hobby in the past month, ive been having some problems keeping my boats internal electronics dry. The boat came with a little plastc cover for the servo and what not but the water always gets under it. For the past 2 days my boat has been goin crazy because of a short circut in the servo or something along those lines. So does anyone have suggestions on how to keep the boat's internals dry?! If you do please write back!

thanks alot

Traxxas, Nitro Vee deep v-hull

 

[ClayGlover]

[SIZE=14pt]WELCOME[/SIZE]

Try one of the spray-can corrosion protectants that are electronics safe(not WD-40). Spray it directly on the receiver and servo circuits and all. Leaves a waxy film and waterproofs. There are several brands that work. Get it at marine stores or online like CorrosionX at Rossisales here- http://www.rossisales.com/otherprodnew.html

Oh yeah, fix the leak too

 

[htmanlev]

Oh thanks but there is still the problem on why my boat is going crazy, the problem is that, i turn the remote control on and i turn the electonics in the boat on, but the reciever has no effect on the boats throttle or rudder, Each time i turn the boat on and off the throttle moves up a tiny bit until it can move no further, im preety sure this is caused by water problems but uhh i dont know, so what do u reccomend?

THERE IS NO HOLE :blink:

 

[ClayGlover]

Have you dried the electronics out by removing their plastic covers yet? Hairdryer works, but open them up making sure to pay close attention to the servo parts and gears to reassemble properly. If they still glitch when completely dry, you'll need to get some electronics cleaner to remove any solutes that may have been left behind by the water. Get that at Radio Shack. If that doesn't work, you're hosed and will need replacements or service.

 

[htmanlev]

Yea ive dried them out with a hair dryer and everything looks dry but im sure its some where in a crack, i think i might take it down to a hobby store today and see whatup with it, but thanks alot, this web site is really well done! im happy i joined it, im probably gonna have ALOT of questions later, wait i already have a bunch, thanks anyways

 

[snowdog-2112]

HT,

While you're at the hobby store, get some of the contact cleaner the car guys use on their motors. Spray out your receiver and servos with it. Once you have the water out and the system's working fine, spray them with Corrosion-X or whatever you decide to use.

Snowdog

 

[Mike G]

You need a gasket to seal the lid, also make sure there are seals on the rudder and throttle rods.

 

[Toledo tunnel Man]

Pack your radio box with paper towel ,were ever you can ,wrap it around your receiver then put it in your box ,I,v been doing this for 5 years with great success, the towels draw the water away from your electroics. I,v pulled paper towels socked out of my radio box after a long day of running but radio gear is fine.When your boats upside down you have to have faith in your radio box preperation.

 

[Rules]

You might want to try this trick. Install a piece of brass tube in the side of your radio box. Get a small 2 oz tank and install 2 pieces of brass tubing in the tank stopper. Position the end of one of the pieces at the geometric center of the tank, the other just sticks in about 1/4 inch. Run a piece of line from the radio box brass tube to the small tanks geometric tube. Leave the other tank tube open. Mount the tank someplace convenient. Radio boxes leak when they take a dunk due to rapid cooling of the trapped air in the box. This creates a slight vacuum which sucks in water, sometimes water is forced in if the hull takes a deep dive. Using this tank system will allow the water to enter the tank first since it has water port. The water will not reach the geometric center unless it is 1/2 full. I used this trick many years ago and had really good results. If there is water in the tank, position the boat to drain the water from the water port by letting the box warm up, or insert a smaller tube in the water port and blow . Test this system out if you want without electrics to make sure it works for you. John in Huntsville

 

[Preston_Hall]

Sounds as though something is ruined.

The best thing you can do is find the leak. Seal your radio box as usual, submerse it, and blow into the antenna tube. A good box won't leak and a fair one would only have a few drops in it.

Never leave the box sealed over night. The moisture in the air will eventually get the electronics.

Paper towels are great for the water absorbtion and vibration control.

If the electronics ever get wet then flush them with WD-40 and you can run immediately. When drying electronic components with heat you actually speed any rusting that may occur.

Good Luck.

 

[bzubee]

You can also use a tampon it works even better than papertowels.

 

[Toledo tunnel Man]

Who wants to carry tampons out with the guys,not me