Transformer left out in rain

[Coogler Rail Line]

I really did it this this time.  I left my MRC Power G 10 A transformer out in the rain.  It was plugged in but it was turned off.  I am going to let it dry and test it to see if it works.  Anybody want place bets?

[altterrain]

If it looks like any water got inside I'd open it up and spray it with a bit of WD-40 (WD = water displacement) and let it dry out. A blow dryer couldn't hurt.  If not just hit the outside parts with a bit. It should be fine.

-Brian 

[tangerine-jack]

My money says it will be fine.

[kimbrit]

As long as it's properly dry, no problems. Bet you don't do that again!

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I'd venture it's a dead duck, I had one get caught in a summer squall when our club had a display running.  Deader than a doornail.  Even let the thing dry out for 3 weeks before trying it, still dead!   Set it on workbench in barn and let it sit a couple months --- Dead --- TRASH!

[Coogler Rail Line]

I am going to let it sit out overnight and try it tomorrow.  It make me sick.  I had just bought a new Forney and I tested it after work Wednesday. I normally do not run trains during the work week and I got in a rush to put it up and got distracted.

 

 

[LGBtrains1963]

I know in Georgia it has been so dry that who would have thought it would rain... I say it is dead and time to buy a new one!

[JamesP]

I want to second the thought of opening it up and drying it out.  Don't turn it on before you do it, and do it as soon as possible.  Oftentimes when electronics get wet, the water evaporates and leaves the conductive minerals behind causing the problems.  If you see signs of water deposits on the circuit board, don't be afraid to wash it with warm (not hot) water, using a toothbrush to gently loosen the deposits.  Use compressed air (first choice) or the hair dryer (on the coolest setting) to blow it dry, directing air underneath the chips.  Remember, heat is as much of an enemy of electronics as water.  Leave it open overnight before turning it on to test.  When I was a repair tech for an alarm manufacturer, we would run the circuit boards through a dishwasher after soldering on the parts with a wave solder machine, so water isn't quite the problem that we sometimes think it is.  I have successfully used these techniques on a variety of electronics, including a CD player that a cat "relieved" itself on and a digital camera that was dropped in a glass of whiskey!  Give me a transformer that has been in the rain any day...

[tangerine-jack]

I agree with JamesP about water and electronics.  Did you know the best way to clean your keyboard is soap and water?  Wash it off, hang it up to dry overnight and it works like new.  As long as you don't have power going through the component and it's fully dry before operations, there should be no troubles at all.

I can't wait to see what the verdict is on the power pack................

[Anonymous]

I don't have all that money to be testing stuff anymore, so I will leave it up to you guys.

Toad

[Coogler Rail Line]

Sometime this afternoon I will find out.  I just finished my Piko Beergarden and I want the glue to set so I can put it out.  I would have prefered letting someone else test this!

 

Chuck

[vsmith]

This is why I advocate always placing the pack under some sort of weather protection either in a shed, garage or something like a small phone box regardless.

Are you using any kind of other control system like Train Engineer or are you using the speed control on the pack itself?

 

[Coogler Rail Line]

Just the speed control on the transformer itself.

 

You are right about the weather protection....you never know when a short notice thunderstorm hits or any other unknown event.  My lesson has been lerned..hopefully not the hard way.

[Coogler Rail Line]

Well, it appears that the Train gods are looking favorability upon me.  The transformer worked like a champ!

[Anonymous]

Great! Now that is good stuff to come off like that.

Really I was betn against it. I lost!!!! Toad

[vsmith]

Now you just need to find something like this covered bird feeder to place the powerpack in . Something with enough room to hold your pack with enough overhang to keep any water out.

[Coogler Rail Line]

That looks like a good idea...and that bird feeder looks about the right size.  I wonder how much they cost?

[Capt Bob Johnson]

A lot less than a new transformer!   Cheap insurance !

[SandyR]

Those bird feeders look nice! Here in the northeast, where we often get diagonal rain, and sometimes almost horizontal rain in thunderstorms, I would add side walls, with one of them removable, to add even more protection for the power pack. But I would not leave the pack enclosed when using it, as it could overheat. Just my two cents'.

SandyR