Humidity Damage to Equipment? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: 1voyager2
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 04, 2019, 09:20:43 pm
content: I am a very un-knowledgable nubie as far as electronics goes.Several years ago [3 to 5 years?] I purchased online a YIHUA 853D, a 3-way soldering + resoldering + power supply station.I cannot find a record of the purchase.So, I assume I bought it thru eBay.Don't use them much anymore.Online orders from Alaska and Hawaii are much different than mainland/lower 48 orders.When the machine arrived, I fired it up and tried all the functions.I seemed to work very well.I had other things to worry about and do.So, I put it away.A year or two later, I pulled it out to do some complex soldering, exactly what I had bought it for.Plugged it in and turned it on.All the lights did were to weakly flutter a bit.I turned it off and put it away to check out later.In the mean time, we've lost a year to an eruption and evacuation, making things even more complicated.I finally pulled it out a few days ago to check it out again.it is now completely dead.I live on Big Island's windward side.Our area gets at least 150"/yr of precip.Humidity is about 60% in the day and rises to 100% almost every morning.What I'm finding is that online this model and its clones are now requiring a storage humidity of 35% to 45%.As far as I can see that is pretty low even for the normally recommended humidity conditions of 50% to 60%.I'm beginning to believe the problem is blamable on "pilot error", not faulty equipment.I may be a glutton for punishment, but soldering stations by this manufacturer, or their clones without a power supply, have no storage humidity requirement.I still like the soldering/resoldering abilities of this station, but now think an included power supply is a bad idea.I'm looking at a YIHUA 862BD on Amazon.https://www.amazon.com/YIHUA-Soldering-Station-Multiple-Functions/dp/B07RY5XWVG/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=soldering+hot+air+station&qid=1564919043&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&s=gateway&sr=8-12It looks to be almost the same as the 853D, but has no power supply in it.Returns to Amazon will be much easier and less expensive, if necessary.Thoughts and advice?

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2019, 09:47:59 pm
content: 3-5 years. So we came assume that the warranty has passed. Open it up and have a look at the circuit board and other components inside .Maybe post some hi res photos to see if anything can be done.

author: 1voyager2
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 05, 2019, 01:54:13 am
content: The warranty was up when I first tried to use it.That's why I just packed it up, and didn't send it back.I did take it apart earlier today when I tried it out again.I visually checked capacitors, wiring, transformers, and general condition, plus no fuse to be seen in the station.Granted, I am pretty ignorant about things like this.But, I saw nothing that seemed to indicate a problem to me.I do have a multimeter, an Innova 3340.https://testmeterpro.com/innova-3340-multimeter/It was bought for auto use.I do use it for almost everything else, though.It has a 10MΩ impedance.I do not have the time right now to chase down the problems with this soldering station.Even if I did, little doubt the humidity here will probably kill it again because of the power supply in it.I need to get a replacement like the 862BD so I can fix problems, not start on a new problem that just adds to my work load.I do intend to save it.Then, if I can find schematics or other help, I may try locating the problem and see if I can fix.Right now I have more thing to do than I have time for.That is the story of my life.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2019, 03:52:05 am
content: If there are no obvious effects from humidity and there is no power showing, then I'd be curious about the mains switch. Check it for continuity. If not working properly, try operating the switch several times. This might be enough to wipe the contacts clean to allow power through.Edit: Spelling

author: 1voyager2
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 06, 2019, 12:36:59 am
content: Its a good thing I referred to myself as a nubie at the beginning.I feel like such a nubie .I've wasted about 5 years thinking that I couldn't use this machine.Thanks Brumby, I followed your suggestion.I turned the main AC switch on and off quickly for about a minute with the power cord plugged in.SURPRISE - The LEDs came on.The meters seem to be working OK, hot air, soldering, and power supply.This did quit before the eruption, but it has been here all through the eruption and evacuation, about a year ago.The body screw heads are corroded by the gasses.I assumed that even if it didn't go bad at first, the sulphur gasses would have done it in for sure.They have ruined many other things that have needed to be replaces.They ruined our house's roof that has been replaced recently.We're having Solar hot water put in later this week.Next week I'll begin rebuilding out catchment tank.And the list goes on.If it is still working after 5 years or so, It must be impervious to the humidity and the sulpher gasses somewhat.I'm now thinking that it is probably a very good machine.It is the bigger edition, the 30 volt, 5 amp, not the 20 volt, 2 amp or smaller.They are much more expensive now than when I bought this one.I do need to make a maiden voyage of all three functions to be sure.I'll report back after I give it a check out.I have a raft of solder jobs lined up that are waiting to be done.