JTowbin Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I am running behind schedule for my christmas display so I was kinda rushing the setup. Last night I tested my PC16 and LOR1602W to see if they were working, but I accendentally left the USB-485 adapter out in the rain. Now today the hardware utlity cant find comm port 4 which I use for my controllers. Now when I connect the usb 485 into the computer a pop-up appears and says it cannot recognize the adapter. I went into control panel>hardware utility and tried to update the drivers but nothing worked. I went through ALL of the troubleshooting steps(reset and everything) to fix it and now im comming to the conclusion that my USB-485 adapter got wet and is now non-functioning. So I lost patients and ended up just ordering a new one. But is there anyting I can do before it arrives??Thanks And Merry Christmas!-Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan C Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I don't believe that the USB-485 adaptors are waterproof. Unfortunately without an adaptor that will convert to RS485, there is little that can be done. You could try putting it somewhere warm to see if it recovers after a few hours.Regards,Alan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 me personally would be a bit more active in trying to dry out the unit. I dont know for sure which model you have or your skills. If you can open up the adapter without breaking it, do so. Then use paper towels to dry it out. If you have a can of compressed air, give it a couple of burst to blow out the water from under componets and connectors. I advise you to hold the board while doing this. Static charges can build up, but your body will neutralize the charge if you hold both the can of compressed air and the circuit board. Then use a hair dryer on a low to med setting and again hold the board. If your fingers are getting to warm, so is the board. This again will also help keep down the static charge.One of the reasons I am not real fond of leaving water on a board to long is that it will corrode some leads. Also if you see white deposits on the board / componets. They can conduct and cause weird things. If you have some denatured Alcohaol, pour some across the board like you are rinsing the board off. Then dry with paper towel. And in a different room use hair dryer.Reassemble and try again. If you still cant get any controllers to show up. well maybe damage already done when plugging it in while it is still wet. Sometime you get lucky and sometimes you dont. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTowbin Posted December 20, 2009 Author Share Posted December 20, 2009 I've used paper towels and a hair dryer but no success. It should be coming in tomorow tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 If you have written the unit off, you can try washing it in denatured alcohol. I've rescued one controller that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Ok, I might as well add and tell the whole trick. I get an acid brush, this is a brush that is about 1/2" wide and about 1/8" thick. I cut down the bristles so that they are about 3/8" long. If I have a part of the board that is stubborn. I'll get it good and wet and dunk the brush in more Alchoal and give it a good scrubben and then good rinse by pouring the alchoal across the board. Turning the dirty part with the closes edge to the lower side. Hope that makes sense.If you dont have access to an acid brush, then the smallest brush you can get your hands on that will have a stiff bristle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTowbin Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 Thanks Max! I used the acid brush but it didnt work Its good though because my replacement just came in the mail. And Thank you everybody else who helped!!Merry Christmas,Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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