Apexi PFC Expired Through Water Ingress

[danrx7]

Just a heads-up to anyone running an Apexi Power FC:
 
The torrential rain on Monday managed to seep into the passenger footwell and pooled in the port next to the commander port, which in turn blew the board.
 
I\'d wouldn\'t like anyone else to be stranded in those conditions on the hard shoulder (especially with the 2.5 hour wait for recovery!).
 
I\'ve reverted to the OEM ECU and shes\' running again, just need to source a suitable replacement!
 
Cheers,
Dan.

[batman]

i had a the same leak dan fortunatly my cars was on a slope and the water ran to the inside of the tunnel

[leon]

Is the board physicaly blown? Somtimes you can get lucky with electronics, give them a real good clean on the inside. I\'ve actualy seen people on here who have recovered dead apexi\'s that way

Worth a shot. :Giggle

[danrx7]

Thanks Leon, that definately worth a shot. I can see any blown capacitors or the like, just some rust-type stuff across some of the pins on a few different chips..
 
Will electrical contact cleaner suffice do you think?

[batman]

i use white spirit drys to a powder not like water which rusts and a stiff paint brush

[leon]

As you know water conducts so you short out, but also when you run a current through it becomes a form of acid from memory which in turn eats the pcb. so give it a good clean and get it all off. Won\'t hurt to try and could save you a few ££

[danrx7]

Absolutely, thanks for the advice gents. I\'ll give it a whirl tonight hopefully and post up the results..

[SmbFD3S]

Heard about this before which is why mine sits in a nice clear plastic bag just in case
 
Hope it\'s not dead and recoverable mate... If you find any parts that look to be damaged i\'m sure you\'d be able to find replacements at RS Components

[leon]

i\'m tempted to do this with a KS boost controller i have sat around its blown a cap (literally)

[neil_jdmr]

take the board out altogether mate and spray a healthy amount of good contact cleaner on it, with contact cleaner it drives out moisture as it evaporates. Follow this with a good clean and check all the connections for rust if so clean these up with some fine wet n dry then give it a few hours to let every bit of contact cleaner evap (its flammable and goes up easily) then plug it in and chances are it should be fine. (i have done it many times with various pcb\'s offshore).

[danrx7]

Did as advised and its working again.
 
Thanks very much for the spot on advice guys.
 
 
Dan.

[ashc]

close call, well done. i think i\'m gonna put my apexi in a plastic bag, i think i\'ve fixed my leak but dunno till it rains hard again..........

[BenLewisMav]

Sorry to raise the dead but what causes the leak?
Mines pooling up right now as we speak, makes the carpet stink... have left the carpet rolled and tied up to try let the water evapourate, but its been raining for three days now with no sun..

[Bobbit]

Mine leaks some times and the water gets in via the window seal, then get onto the kick panels and from there dribbles into the car, only if i\'m on a slope mind

[Kieron]

Cant you mount the ECU higher up? The harness should stretch tot he glovebox. Save this happening again.