See if you agree with me ! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Ksfixitman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 08:52:40 pm
content: Is this a poor design or what? The charger was setting on my workshop desk in front of the window and it rained in on it. This is a 20 volt batter charger for a Dewalt tools. They are used outside at least 50% of the time and the engineer cant see any chance of moisture ever getting on this charger that they couldn't at least put a couple vent holes in the bottom to let any trapped moisture out?They worried about heat with the what 20 vents in the sides but lets leave the bottom solid. Just seemed pretty stupid to me or maybe it was planned this way to cause this. I don't guess every person buying one of these would take it apart to see why it has stopped working.(disclaimer) I don't have anything against Engineers.Oh and the novice that I am I would say it is not fixable. Am I correct? A brand new one on Amazon is $60 US

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 09:25:11 pm
content: I would treat it the usual. Wash with dishsoap and water and a brush. Then alcohol. Let it dry in the oven for an hour at lowest setting.Careful visual inspection for anything off. Then see what happens when u plug it in. Note what any indicator leds are doing.When it still doesnt work, i tend to start at the end and work back. Dc voltage at the terminals? Back to the voltage regulator. Then on to the (possibly very high voltage) power triac/fet thingies on the heatsinks. If they are broke, check whatever is driving the gate, cuz that is probably broke, too.If u dont want to risk electrocution, just buy a new one. Drill holes in the bottom. Leave it in the rain. And see if it doesnt also break. ;]

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 09:29:48 pm
content: If you wash it, use distilled water, not tap water. I have not thought of the dish soap; I would just use a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alchohol and distilled water. Don't immerse the board completely, just spray the affected area with liquid and brush it gently with soft brush to try and get it clean and shiny again. If there is corrosion to remove you might try using vinegar to dissolve it, but then make sure it is really thoroughly rinsed off afterwards.I don't think drying needs an oven. Just leave it in the open air at room temperature for a day or two.

author: 4CX35000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 09:32:29 pm
content: Battery chargers tend to be built at a minimum cost and therefore if they are damaged in service, then the user should just buy new replacement. In the end higher levels of protection add to the cost of building the unit and therefore push the product further away from the targeted user/price range.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:02:32 pm
content: Water resistance might be nice, but you're supposed to operate the charger indoors or at least covered. Most power tools will be damaged if left outside in the rain, it's not ideal but everything comes down to cost.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:19:58 pm
content: You forgot to post the picture of the "Indoor Use Only" sticker.If you want an outdoor/waterproof charger, then pay for it.Kinda reminds me of the "Coffee is hot" lawsuit against McDonalds.

author: Ksfixitman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:40:35 pm
content: It does say keep out of rain on the bottom. LOL I never had a thought of repairing it. I have tested it and there is no voltage at all when plugged in which i tried before I took it apart. My novice eyes didn't see any type of fuse on the board which I had hoped their was.I was though making the point that they could have at least put drain holes in the bottom of it just in case any moisture got in which if they had it would have never built up and touched the board.

author: NexusKoolaid
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 11:38:51 pm
content: Quote from: Ksfixitman on June 29, 2017, 10:40:35 pmFrom what I can make out in your pictures the vent slits go (nearly?) all the way to the bottom of the case - certainly below the level of the PCB. This looks like a more than adequate means of water egress. I suppose water buildup could occur if there was no place for the water to go (in a rain puddle) or the drained water was quickly replaced by more water (robust rain shower). In either case I can't see how drain holes would have been of any help.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 02:19:13 am
content: I would scrub with dish soap (tap water is fine here) then rinse with deionized water. You can then do a second rinse with IPA to help remove more water if desired, but personally I just go with the oven technique. About 130° - 150°F for an hour and good to go. I've used this method on plenty of sensitive electronics including oscilloscopes with no issues.