Memory card went through a wash cycle. Any advice?

[minga]

I just found my CF card in the washing machine. Unfortunately it had already gone through an entire wash cycle. I'm pretty hesitant about putting it back in the camera (a Digital Rebel in case that matters). Is there a chance this could damage the camera? If damage to card is the only concern I'll try it out.

[Toogy]

I'd get a USB card reader and try it in that first.

[Carzee]

Any conditioner used? Hot or cold wash?

[kawter2]

DONT DO A THING FOR AT LEAST 3 DAYS!!!!!!

Let it fully dry out. Leave it out side etc...

Then try to read only from a CF reader.


Water and solid state memory isn't that bad, it is when you add electricity into the equation that you get problems

[Digital Prophet]

I agree with Kawter. Let it dry for at least two - three days. If you live in humid climates like I do, wait a bit longer. When you are ready clean the contacts with a electrical contact cleaning solution. You can find stuff like that at Radio Shack.

I don't think the water is the problem here. At this point the real danger is from any traces of soap that may be on the contacts. You definately do not want that on your camera. Not only can it arc across the chemical but it can simply gum up your contacts. If you have any doubts about the integrity of the contacts or trace residue and it is anything less than a true professional grade card just replace it. $20 - $50 isn't worth the angst or the chance of ruining a camera.

- Digital Prophet -

[johnnybfan]

Just make sure its dry. I've read that it is possible to wash your CF - not recommended, of course. Good luck

[Eric DeCastro]

i did it once or maybe a few times more. but never had a problem with it. just make sure it's dry.

[SkipD]

I have deliberately washed many circuit boards used in machine tool control systems with soap and water. The important thing is to flush all the soap off with a final rinse. Then, I use a hair dryer to warm the board and force it to dry thoroughly. I just try to keep the temperature of the board under about 120°F. If you can comfortably handle the board (or the card in your case), it is under 120°F. An object at 130°F gets a little hot to hang on to. You could use your kitchen oven, assuming it will control at about 120°F, and leave the card in the oven for an hour or two.

[Maureen Souza]

My best advice.... check your pockets before throwing clothing into the washer.:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[2goldens]

Let it dry out for a few days, week then put it in a card reader and give it a try. People have said they did the same thing and after a few days the card worked fine. I haven't done it yet. (I shouldn't have said that.)

[condyk]

There was a 'competition' on some cheesy Uk TV gadget show that tested all back up media to destruction and the Flash based devices came out top ... and this included being driven over by a Land Rover, boiled, smashed, etc. As has been mentioned ... just let it dry! At least you didn't put your pants in your camera ... now that's a problem!!

[PacAce]

So, when you let it dry, which cycle do you set the dryer to? I'm thinking maybe the "gentle/delicate" cycle? :confused:



:mrgreen: :lol: :D

[lostdoggy]

Hey, I rad a good thread on this before. Just do a search for Mason Jar!!!

[smittymike19]

At least you didn't put your pants in your camera ... now that's a problem!!

lol.:lol:

[Mark_48]

Would a rinse in isopropyl alcohol get any votes for cleaning out any residual soap or fabric softeners, particularly in the socket ? It may help displace any water as well and it would dry quickly.

Mark........

[SkipD]

Would a rinse in isopropyl alcohol get any votes for cleaning out any residual soap or fabric softeners, particularly in the socket ? It may help displace any water as well and it would dry quickly.There's no way to determine what parts, if any, might be damaged by the alcohol. I'd suggest contacting the manufacturer for their recommendation regarding your question.

[Citizensmith]

You could get it to dry faster in the microwave. :)

Seriously, I have heard of these surviving the wash before. You only risk is that if its still wet, or the wash has deposited conductive particles inside the card you may get a short.

Personally I'd be really concerned about the long term reliability, but hopefully you'll be able to recover anything on there. You may also find your photos are cleaner with less noise, and more vibrant colors. You may even get a lemony fresh scent from looking at them.

[johnnybfan]

Please let us know how this comes out. One further piece of advice would be to use a card reader when you check it out. I don't think I'd put it in my camera if I wasn't quite sure if it is dry or not. Good luck

[DocFrankenstein]

Alcohol isn't needed. I wouldn't worry about soap at all. It came through the whole cycle with double rinses. :D

I'd let it sit in the sun for a day or so

[felix21685]

just be careful so it doesnt get too much sun :)

[DocFrankenstein]

just be careful so it doesnt get too much sun :)
NO such thing

[Michaelmjc]

I went swimming in the ocean with my memory card before! Still workin great, and that was salt water.

[S230]

To be on the safe side and if you do plan on re-using the CF instead of throwing it out., I suggest re-wash it (NOT the laundry again). Because you placed it in a laundry machine assuming with detergent., it contains lots of contaminates, and the detergent that will eventually be harmful to the circuit. The holes which the contacts meet are probably full or have residue of detergent too. You should clean the inside by prying the top then bottom cover and take out the circuit (it's most likely only glue on the outer edge). Soak and flush with distilled water (Clean water left overnight will do). Let dry for few days but still use hair dryer at low temperature to make sure. The only thing to be careful is static electricity. It can kill the chip.

Many think that water will fry or damage electronic circuit. but the truth is the contents in the water. To prove this, the Ontario Science Centre has a live television ON running underwater totally exposed...

It's not surprising that the CF card will survive most abuse is because of the protective layer. The CF card's circuit is protected by the thick covers. There is a slight gap in between the seal. If you pry the casing off, it's usually either a single layer or dual sided chipset on the PCB (printed circuit board). If the seal is not complete, then water can remain trapped inside.

As for microwave test., the casing can act as a shield/reflector but has to be based on the material used for the cover. I don't plan on trying this because I still want to continue to use it to warm up my food.

A Land Rover test it is likely to survive because of the rubber wheels. Unlike steam rollers. If anyone can lend me their Land Rover I will gladly try this for them. :)

My honest opinion is not using this card for any mission critial work. It's better buying a new one.

[DocFrankenstein]

LOL

Are we done yet?

Looks like the plan is this:
1) Wash it again
2) Pry it open
3) Wash with a hairdryer and then microwave just in case :roll:

Detergent won't harm the card at all. It's basic for .... sake.

If you pry the top open, you have a good chance of mechanically damaging the circuit.

If you microwave it, you're pretty much guaranteed to kill it.

Jeez

[DocFrankenstein]

Oh yeah... also try putting mayo on one side and peanut butter on the other, then put it in a freezer. Works real good. :roll:

[LadyHawk]

You may also find your photos are cleaner with less noise, and more vibrant colors. You may even get a lemony fresh scent from looking at them.

:lol: :lol: :lol: Thanks, Marcus. Great way to end the day...

[Carzee]

Forget the microwave - Format it the normal way!

[S230]

Oh yeah... also try putting mayo on one side and peanut butter on the other, then put it in a freezer. Works real good. :roll:
lol.. :)

[Mark_48]

There's no way to determine what parts, if any, might be damaged by the alcohol. I'd suggest contacting the manufacturer for their recommendation regarding your question.
Reason I suggested this is that it is what I had commonly used to clean electronic components when I was working in the industry. I keep a bottle on my hobby workbench. It's a good multipurpose cleaner. I agree it would be advisable to contact the CF card manufacturer. The important thing is to remove any residual detergent or other contaminents that could cause a poor connection and also contaminate the pins in the camera. Interestingly fabric softener as a diluted spray is often used to reduce static electricity in carpets and fabrics. Maybe thats a good thing on the card :)

Mark.......

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=28994&doy=search

http://www.abra-electronics.com/catalog/chemicals/mg6.html

http://www.fda.gov/ora/inspect_ref/itg/itg27.html

http://www.hirose.co.jp/cat2002e/600/e64070010.pdf

http://www.engineeringlab.com/cleaning.html

http://www.precisioncleaning.com/f.so6.htm

[Citizensmith]

Alcohol isn't needed.

Thats a matter of opinion that I think I have to disagree with. If I'd just washed a memory card full of photos I'd definitely need some alcohol. Maybe make up a nice martini to take my mind off it.

[blackviolet]

one of my boys accidentally dropped one in the pool. we let it dry out for a few days and checked it in a reader and the pics were still there. it worked fine (it still does to this day).

[lostdoggy]

For a real clean Job Use liquid R22 its the best for cleaning electronic components, especially grease or Flux. For Drying use Nitrogen.

[Longwatcher]

I have had one Lexar 256MB CF card that has been washed once and then 3 months later went into a river for about 20 minutes. At least I am fairly sure it was the same card, I have two that look the same, so it could be one card got washed and the other went into the river, but I am fairly sure it was the same card.

Still works good after more then 2 years. It was a bit flakey for about the first few weeks after the river, but then cleared up and has worked flawlessly since. By flakey I mean it did not seem to be able to store more then a few images before giving me a card full message on my 10D.

So let it dry out for a few days and then reformat and it should be good to go again.


Have I mentioned I am a bit hard on my equipment 8)

[S230]

I have had one Lexar 256MB CF card that has been washed once and then 3 months later went into a river for about 20 minutes. At least I am fairly sure it was the same card, I have two that look the same, so it could be one card got washed and the other went into the river, but I am fairly sure it was the same card.

Have I mentioned I am a bit hard on my equipment 8)
Just what I was about to say... you should stay away from water then... :)

[samdring]

It was a bit flakey for about the first few weeks after the river,
Was it a SankDisk by any chance?

[Southswede]

My wife has had both Smart Media and Compact Flash cards go through the wash. (Employer provides her with both cards and an S2 Pro).

She let them dry for a couple of days and has had no trouble with either card type.

[Roach711]

When my users spill stuff on their keyboards I rinse them (the keyboards) down with distilled water which, amazingly enough, isn't conductive since all the minerals have been removed in the distilation process. I haven't tried this with memory cards but it should work. Just rinse the bugger down real well with distilled water to remove the minerals then let it dry for a few days.

In practice, skipping the rinse and just letting it dry will probably work fine. Your only problem might be trapped water in the card causing a short. Personally, I'd leave it, pins down, in a hot, dry place like an attic in summer and let it bake for a week before trying it in a cardreader.