dlwhawaii wrote:
I have found that after taking out the battery, I could place the item in the oven at lowest heat for 15 minutes, out for 15, in for 15, for about an hour and a half. Then let the item cool, replace the battery and use. I had a cell phone that went through a complete wash cycle. Wound up working fine. ....
I'm glad this has worked for you but it is decidedly a bad practice for most things electronic most of the time. Some facts to consider:
1) The lowest setting on most ELECTRIC residential ovens is between 150 and 210 degrees (called "warm" ).
Furthermore, the thermostats in most residential ovens are not very accurate. Anything over 140 degrees can damage most consumer electronics.
2) Initially an electric oven far exceeds that initial temperature as it cycles up and down rather dramatically each time the door is opened.
The radiant heat alone on an electronic device can exceed 200 degrees.
3) Allowing an electronic device to heat up and cool down quickly can further damage the electronics.
Those small chips do not survive long with repeated thermal expansions and contractions from high and relatively rapid temperatures swings.
A slow warm-up to a max of 125 degrees F and a slow cool down over an hour or more is best.
I strongly suggest that anyone with a lens or camera that was submerged or otherwise got wet to do the following:
1) Dry off what you can on the outside with a thirsty towel.
2) Remove the battery BEFORE even trying to see if it will work. (Turning it on can do more permanent damage.)
3) Remove the memory chip
4) Open up what you can and gently dry visible water with a clean lint-free cotton cloth.
5) Prepare a hot box (see previous post above) and keep the device inside for 24 to 36 hours, then allow the box to cool down for several hours before removing the device.
Leave access doors and anything that can be opened easily, open.
Maximum real temperature should not exceed 125 degrees, which is more than enough to quickly dry out anything that water penetrated.
6) If that does not work, consider taking it to a repair shop for an evaluation. The faster you get it dried out the less potential for permanent damage.
7) If saltwater or brackish water was involved, well, the prognosis is less favorable. If submerged in saltwater, submerge it in fresh water and seek help. If just covered with salt spray, wipe it off it a damp towel and repeat several times trying to get into every crevice.
Sure, some things will survive most anything. So can some survival victims and animals, but they are the exceptions -- not recommended or good practices.