Water Proofing Electronics

[Chief64]

What about waterproofing led light controllers? I searched but found nothing on it. Is it necessary?

[stevetate12]

I've had good luck waterproofing just about anything....I usually use plastidip as far as any control module (I guess this would work with a light controller ) I always pop out whatever circuit board is in there put extension leads on any ports that are just direct plugs to the board then dip the whole thing .....mark what the leads go to because what you'll have is basically a black blob with wires coming out it'll work under water all day long .....also make sure you look for air bubbles and possibly dip the unit a few time after it dries just in case

[Chief64]

Thanks Steve, that sounds pretty solid. I'll pick up some leads and give it a shot.

I'm having trouble finding the extensions that Steve mentioned above. I don't know the name for those white, 2-wire connectors that are on the ends of the lights. I think my light kit is a bit low-end anyway, so I'm considering get this kit.

[4WheelRC]

Originally Posted by Chief64

What about waterproofing led light controllers? I searched but found nothing on it. Is it necessary?

What stevetate12 said wrt. Plastidip, or for a slightly more robust/reliable solution use epoxy resin. This might help (I get into the resin at about 09:00):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS_WyUEdO50

[snapon boy]

They make dielectric grease like you use for your head lights on your truck I use that on my futaba connections after the dip of conformal coating.

149 r/c worx team driver

[stevetate12]

Hobby king 2-3" extensions......go to hobbyking.com

[Chief64]

Is this what you're talking about?

250mm 4-pin Extension Cable for LED RGB Multi-Function Driver/Controller exten

That type of connector will not work with the control box that I have, nor the one in my link above. I'd need the 2-wire control box extensions, correct? Those are what I cannot find anywhere.

[stevetate12]

Just a regular 3 pin 3 inch extension......no idea what that 4 pin one is .....i have gotten them for hobby king quite a few times

[Hydrocarbon92]

I recently waterproofed some Flysky receivers with Liquid Electrical Tape (GB brand). I did two coats with touch-up spots in-between to make sure it was a solid coat. I also filled the rest of the case with dielectric grease, particularly on the pins & in the connectors, otherwise white corrosion "dust" can create issues. I removed the goo off the status LED and the fail-safe button still works. I've done this to half a dozen and no problems in the last 4 months.

I inadvertently tested it the first time out in my boat. I flipped it on a wave, the canopy ripped off, and it only the 1st inch of bow was floating above.

[alank]

Has anyone tried to waterproof an Axial NVS? Its rather big and has whole bunch of wires to it. The balloon method doesn't seem practical. Not sure that I want to plastidip it. A box would be ideal, especially if it would also hold the receiver, but I have been unable to find a box big enough and still be able to fit it in my Wraith.

Thanks.

[Antfarm34]

So I just coat the electrical connections with dielectric grease

[jtran76]

I personally have great luck using Corrosion X and marine grease. I use Corrosion X for all the electronics then use marine grease for bearings, axles and differentials.

[mikebecher]

My typical waterproofing consists of conformal coating on all the accessible PCBs followed by a soaking with CorrosionX and finally filling all voids and connectors with dielectric grease. I stay away from PlastiDip and liquid electrical tape - they don't adhere well enough to the components and can actually trap water inside.

We get an average of about 12 FEET of rain per year where I live so proper waterproofing is a must. I have yet to have a component fail after using this method, even ones that are not marketed as 'waterproof' or water resistant.

[Donny939]

I recently tried a product called never wet.. I saw a couple good videos on you tube showing esc's underwater and still working. so I gave it a shot. can't say for sure yet if it works (I'm not bout to put it in a cup of water) but if you do put a lil water on it, it works like rain x but better. ill give an update later on.. also side note. supposed to work great on litter boxes so I hooked my gf up and sprayed her *box* with it lol. the litter isn't supposed to stick

[spoo76]

I wouldn't trust neverwet on my electronics. It's known to not last long and isn't meant to. Conformal coating or potting epoxy and dielectric grease is the way to go for a permanent solution

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[snapon boy]

Silicone conformal coating several coats let dry coat again etc. My son is 6 now but started with cralwers at age 4. Trust me Jr loves water I learned fast how to make the whole r/c water resistant.

149 r/c worx Team Driver

[mikebecher]

Conformal coating is typically UV sensitive as well so you can see see any missed spots under a black light. In the first photo, my ESC and dig servo both glow bright the conformal coating.

[slimfire]

Can anybody post a link of a specific conformal coating product please?
Thanks a lot!

[nightcrawler48]

Originally Posted by slimfire

Can anybody post a link of a specific conformal coating product please?
Thanks a lot!

This is the link to the Acrylic Conformal Coating I use.

419C - Acrylic Conformal Coating (Fast Dry) - Conformal Coatings | MG Chemicals

They also have a Silicone Conformal Coating, NOT to be confused with your normal silicone sealer in a tube from your local building supplier. I was told by an electronics friend never to use hardware store silicone on anything electronic.

422B - Silicone Conformal Coating - Conformal Coatings | MG Chemicals

Unless someone knows differently, it's an individual choice which one you prefer.

55ml bottle should run you about $15.00. Don't let the small size bother you, one bottle will do a ton of electronic items. Available at an electronics supply house, ebay, or . . . . . . . . .

[nightcrawler48]

Originally Posted by mikebecher

My typical waterproofing consists of conformal coating on all the accessible PCBs followed by a soaking with CorrosionX and finally filling all voids and connectors with dielectric grease. I stay away from PlastiDip and liquid electrical tape - they don't adhere well enough to the components and can actually trap water inside.

We get an average of about 12 FEET of rain per year where I live so proper waterproofing is a must. I have yet to have a component fail after using this method, even ones that are not marketed as 'waterproof' or water resistant.

Thanks for the tip Mike. Been using conformal on the PCBs and dielectric grease on all connectors with good success. Never thought of filling the voids with dielectric grease but will be trying that next time I have to waterproof things like ESCs, RXs, servos, etc.