Topic: Flood damaged D-8 - can it be saved?

[joemango]

I recently received a bunch of equipment free from a friend who used to tape.  The stuff had been damaged in a basement flood, and some of it works, some doesn't.   One of the pieces was a D8 which obviously was sitting in water for a day or so.  It doesn't look rusty, just a little dirty.  Do any of you recommend even trying to salvage it?  Would it be worth anything for parts?

[hexyjones]

I recently received a bunch of equipment free from a friend who used to tape.  The stuff had been damaged in a basement flood, and some of it works, some doesn't.   One of the pieces was a D8 which obviously was sitting in water for a day or so.  It doesn't look rusty, just a little dirty.  Do any of you recommend even trying to salvage it?  Would it be worth anything for parts?

Well - an ambitious person might disassemble it...wash it/sub-assemblies in clean water ( I know that sounds crazy) - dry it of real good - with a hair dryer - and let it sit for a day too...then reassemble and hope for the best...

but I bet it's hosed...

[heath]

i would def give it a go.   

[Chris K]

have you tried to power it up? i would use the ac adapter. if it powers up open it up and take a look at the heads to see if it is clear of debris, sand, grit etc.

if it doesnt power on, as i would suspenct it wouldnt, you may still be able to have pro-digital repair it, but it may cost the same as getting another used one of this board or ebay.

good luck, let us know how it turns out

[hexyjones]

have you tried to power it up? i would use the ac adapter. if it powers up open it up and take a look at the heads to see if it is clear of debris, sand, grit etc.

if it doesnt power on, as i would suspenct it wouldnt, you may still be able to have pro-digital repair it, but it may cost the same as getting another used one of this board or ebay.

good luck, let us know how it turns out

I would advise strongly against turning it on until you have let it sit in an extremley dry place for at least a week...there could be moisture trapped inside...not good...those decks are pretty humidity sensitive anyway...and if it was a flood...there could be debris in the linkages...moving parts etc...

[bluegrass_brad]

You would be much better off cleaning all the sub assemblies in an alcohol solution.  Dries faster and will also help dry out any water that was in the unit faster (bonds to it and helps evaporate it).  If its not running now, than youve got nothing to lose.  Take that sucker apart!!! (If you cant tell I was one of those kids that took everything apart to see how it worked.  The family radio, calculator, toys, etc)

[hexyjones]

You will probably find this handy...

http://www.rockpark.com/d7/

and this inparticular (disassembly instructions)

http://www.rockpark.com/d7/8_opend7.txt

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

You would be much better off cleaning all the sub assemblies in an alcohol solution. 

Any agressive cleaning will strip the lubrication from the mechanical parts.  Be sure to lube that thing when it's dry.

edit: not implying that alcohol is more agressive than water.  I'd use the alcohol if it was my deck.

[hexyjones]

You would be much better off cleaning all the sub assemblies in an alcohol solution. 

Any agressive cleaning will strip the lubrication from the mechanical parts.  Be sure to lube that thing when it's dry.

edit: not implying that alcohol is more agressive than water.  I'd use the alcohol if it was my deck.

And some alcohols have a bit of glycerine mixed in that can leave a bit of a film...but yeah Alcohol might be ok...I might keep it off some of the circuit board...arent there resins on the boards...? (although I doubt alcohol would be a stong enough solvent to harm them)

[bluegrass_brad]

100% isopropyl alcohol will do the job great.  Definitely fine for use on boards.  It's mild and evaporates quickly.  Won't leave a film (That's why you use it for head cleaning on tons of tape related recording products).  Good point on the lube, thats a definite.

[admkrk]

have you tried to power it up? i would use the ac adapter. if it powers up open it up and take a look at the heads to see if it is clear of debris, sand, grit etc.

if it doesnt power on, as i would suspenct it wouldnt, you may still be able to have pro-digital repair it, but it may cost the same as getting another used one of this board or ebay.

good luck, let us know how it turns out

I would advise strongly against turning it on until you have let it sit in an extremley dry place for at least a week...there could be moisture trapped inside...not good...those decks are pretty humidity sensitive anyway...and if it was a flood...there could be debris in the linkages...moving parts etc...

mine works just fine, in fla, can't get too much more humid in the summer, unless maybe origon in the winter.   

have you tried to power it up? i would use the ac adapter. if it powers up open it up and take a look at the heads to see if it is clear of debris, sand, grit etc.

if it doesnt power on, as i would suspenct it wouldnt, you may still be able to have pro-digital repair it, but it may cost the same as getting another used one of this board or ebay.

good luck, let us know how it turns out

batts might never work again, but if it'll fire on ac you might be in luck.

[BobW]

have you tried to power it up? i would use the ac adapter. if it powers up open it up and take a look at the heads to see if it is clear of debris, sand, grit etc.

if it doesnt power on, as i would suspenct it wouldnt, you may still be able to have pro-digital repair it, but it may cost the same as getting another used one of this board or ebay.

good luck, let us know how it turns out

Not a good idea.
Do not power it up until disassembled, cleaned with distilled water and dried with warm air, like a hair drier.
All mechanical parts (head, tape arms, etc.) need lubrication.

[F.O.Bean]

and FWIW< if it is moisture sensitive and such, it wont power up right and it will show a raindrop on the d-8 meaning theres topo much moisture in the deck

[jhirte]

two words: PRO DIGITAL.

[BobW]

FWIW:  I can't speak *for sure* about small mechanical/electrical gear that gets inundated, but I do know that if you should ever dump a camera... perhaps only a mostly old school mehcanical one... into the water, AND... you must get it repaired... then keep it in the water that you dumped it in.  Put the whole thing in a bag-o-water, keep it that way till you line up a repair shop who will take it, then follow their instructions from there.  Worst thing you can do is try to dry it out, then try to have it fixed.  Some of the water will dry leaving behind dry grit and residue that only makes the repair worse or impractical.  Can't see it being much diferent for a D8 or it's ilk.  OTOH, if it's been wet, then dry, and now you have a free deck to play with... I see no problem trying what everyone else has suggested as the thread rolled on.  Biggest problem I'd guess I'd have would be tearing it down far enough to clean everything... then not being able to get it back together!   Have fun and let us know if it works.

Right idea, but distilled water may be better.
Distilled water will "sponge-up" minerals and crud and has less oxygen, reducing corrosion.
Distilled water doesn't conduct electricity, where dirty and especially salty water does.....
Get the batteries out, of course.

The drying should only be done after the cleaning.