Condensation in R8

> Last Friday did some work in damp weather, more like driving rain, most of the day. Monday go to download raw data from one of my R8-3s and notice condensation through one of the tiny LED light windows. Anyone got any suggestions on cracking this baby open to let any moisture out? The underside plate is secured with 4 Phillips screws, but I hesitate based on past experience of popping something open only to have some miniscule but critical spring get launched into low earth orbit. 😐
Please tell me you didn't leave it in the case, wet, over the weekend.

The seals on these things are frangible, meaning that once you open the case you need to replace the seals on reassembly, or you won't have a watertight seal anymore. But, obviously, you don't have a good watertight seal now. So maybe you better turn this over to a service tech.

I've seen these things open before and there are no moving parts. So on that part you can relax. But I still wouldn't do it.

I've sometimes thought about putting a plastic bag over the receiver as extra protection in heavy weather. I don't know if that would affect the operation or not.

> Please tell me you didn't leave it in the case, wet, over the weekend.
>
> The seals on these things are frangible, meaning that once you open the case you need to replace the seals on reassembly, or you won't have a watertight seal anymore. But, obviously, you don't have a good watertight seal now. So maybe you better turn this over to a service tech.
>
> I've seen these things open before and there are no moving parts. So on that part you can relax. But I still wouldn't do it.
>
> I've sometimes thought about putting a plastic bag over the receiver as extra protection in heavy weather. I don't know if that would affect the operation or not.

Goodness gracious NOOOO!

Units were left in the open case with the units canted at a slight angle to allow for maximum air flow. I'd fire myself for sealing up any wet equipment in an air tight case. I'm aware the main seal must be replaced if opened, but the bottom panel as well? I just don't know. You may well be correct I need to take it in for one of the service techs. Was hoping for a quick and easy fix, that wouldn't make things worse, but you're probably right. Best thing would be to just have all seals replaced. I might not get off so easy next time.

I have some R8 caps and an authorized Trimble tech that would be able to do the work for you. He would also check everything out as far as the board and such to make sure nothing is damaged. If your interested send me an email and I can get you a contact number.

Rick

After equipment gets wet and after transport to the office:

1 open all boxes and cases and sit the equipment apart and in an air conditioned and/or other low humidity environment

2 place in the path of a fan to speed the process

3 pack with rice if needed to draw the moisture out.

4 leave boxes and cases open and allow them to dry inside and out before repacking

These are the most important and I am sure there are other worthy things to do.

We put zip lock bags or cling wrap over the receivers all the time in the rain , never noticed any side effects . Sometimes even a plastic grocery bag if we are out if cling wrap or zip locks

My suggestion - go to your local Walmart and by a large bag of a product called "Damprid"

http://www.damprid.com/

Put the entire contents in a large zip lock bag then cover the R8 with Damprid.
I don't think it would matter if the bag if left open or closed.
Leave it in a warm environment for 2 or 3 days and I will bet the moisture will be gone.

However you must have a bad seal and may want to send it off anyway.

I don't like my guys having equipment out in the rain, but occasionally it catches them.

For my R8's I go to Wally's World and by cheap shower caps. They are a perfect size to fit over a GPS unit and I've never noticed any signal degradation when using them.

And when I say cheap, I mean cheap. Thin clear plastic with an elastic band around the edge. Something like 10 for $1.29. We just keep them in the GPS case.

> I have some R8 caps and an authorized Trimble tech that would be able to do the work for you. He would also check everything out as far as the board and such to make sure nothing is damaged. If your interested send me an email and I can get you a contact number.
>
> Rick

Thanks for the offer Rick. I'm going to buy some of those dime shower caps until I can get the units in to our local Trimble tech. He said can pressure test the units to see if we have any seals in need of replacing. Last thing in the world I need to do is get enough moisture in there to fry any electronics. Just a tad bit scary how much I now rely on those units to keep the production flowing. +o(

> I don't like my guys having equipment out in the rain, but occasionally it catches them.
>
> For my R8's I go to Wally's World and by cheap shower caps. They are a perfect size to fit over a GPS unit and I've never noticed any signal degradation when using them.
>
> And when I say cheap, I mean cheap. Thin clear plastic with an elastic band around the edge. Something like 10 for $1.29. We just keep them in the GPS case.

I work in rain, all day long. There is no escape. The show must go on.

Going to invest in a few shower caps as you suggested, just to be safe until I can have them properly checked out.

Thanks all. Carry on.