white's surf pi- pcb wanted or help

[melbajoe]

I have an old surf pi. The case was cracked and salt water got into it and corroded the circuit board. I knew this and bought it because I had emailed White's and was led to believe they could repair it. I sent it in and it was returned saying they no longer had the parts and couldn't repair it. I epoxied the case and brought the unit to a local electronics repair shop and the owner bypassed the corrosion with wires and it worked- for a while. I was using it (not in the water) when the threshold would go crazy and I would hear this pulsing tone. It would stop and be normal then go back to this pulsing noise. After new batteries and a cleaning it seems normal except it doesn't see a quarter at more than 2 inches! in air testing. Since I paid the electronics guy $100 not worth going back IMO. Anyone have any ideas? thanks

 

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[RobRieman]

Replace any capacitors that were not replaced. They are cheap and dry up frequently with age.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Unless they treated the board to stop the corrosion it will continue to eat up the motherboard....




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[galenrog]

Both Rob and TH are correct. Any electrolytic capacitors and film capacitors that have not yet been replaced must be replaced. But wait on that. If the board has not been properly cleaned, corrosion will continue. In fact, salt corrosion may have already compromised copper runs and traces to the point of sporadic current interruptions. This problem could easily show itself with frequent, but not complete, loss of any function of the detector. It may already be economically unrepairable.

Time for coffee.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

The danger is to the legs of one the IC chips, you lose a leg to one of them it is over..




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[galenrog]

Agreed on the IC.

Personally, without further evidence, I think the board is already unsalvageable. Most people have no idea how to properly clean a salt water contaminated circuit board, let alone properly dry one after cleaning. If the OP waited more than a few hours before a fresh water soak and rinse, he may have waited too long.

Past time for coffee.

 

[melbajoe]

thanks for all the info - guess I'll have to trash it- maybe part out the coil and headphones which Whites did say were ok. Joe

 

[beerguy]

Perhaps you can get a kit from Silverdog. I have a PI kit from him that I have not put together yet, but the board quality is top notch.

If you go over to GeoTech, you can find all the info you will need and then some.

The form factor will be a challenge, but electronically you will be all set.

 

[bklein]

I wonder what parts Whites doesn't have because the Silverdog is probably the same design. I am in So. CA and can look at it if you want. Don't toss it - should be repairable. Who did you talk with at Whites?