Galvanic corrosion

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XCalRocketMan United States of America
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Galvanic corrosion

#1

Post by XCalRocketMan »


A couple of nights ago I experienced a mount failure on my iEQ30 Pro. Everything was fine for a few hours, then iOptronCommander started showing comm errors. I went outside to check on things and the display on the hand controller was showing corrupted characters. I restarted the mount and after a long time received a main board communication error displayed on the handset.

To make a long story short, I found what appeared to be (sorry, I didn't take a photo) a light grey substance covering the main board socket for the hand controller. I removed the main circuit board from the mount and found the same stuff on the RS232 connector. Cleaning it up with alcohol and q-tips solved the problem.

I'm thinking this is galvanic corrosion. I leave my mount outside covered with a telegizmo 365 cover. Has anyone else experienced this type of problem? I'm now thinking I'm going to disconnect all the cables if I decide to leave the mount outside.
Scopes Celestron EdgeHD-11; William Optics GT102; William Optics ZS61; Criterion Dynamax-8 SCT
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Juno16 United States of America
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Re: Galvanic corrosion

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Post by Juno16 »


Glad that you got the issue worked out without experiencing too much damage Xcal.

I wonder if there is some type of non-conductive protective spray like silicon that could be sprayed on the connectors. Just a thought.

Thanks,
Jim
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Re: Galvanic corrosion

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Post by XCalRocketMan »


Juno16 wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 2:22 am Glad that you got the issue worked out without experiencing too much damage Xcal.

I wonder if there is some type of non-conductive protective spray like silicon that could be sprayed on the connectors. Just a thought.

Thanks,
Jim
There is supposed to be a product that you can use for this purpose, but I need to do some research on it (can't remember the name) - mixed reviews on whether it helps or makes matters worse.
Scopes Celestron EdgeHD-11; William Optics GT102; William Optics ZS61; Criterion Dynamax-8 SCT
Mounts AP1100GTO mount w/APCCpro; iOptron iEQ30 Pro; Criterion Dynamax-8 SCT
Lenses Hyperstar-III; Celestron 0.7x FR; WO Flat/Reducer 0.8x
Guiding Celestron OAG w/ASI174mm mini; WO 50mm; Orion ST80
Cameras and Filters ZWO2600mm Pro w/Optolong 3nm NB and RGB; ZWOASI1600mm Pro (ZWO LRGB and Astrodon Ha-5nm, Oiii-3nm, Sii-5nm), QHY10, Canon 50D; ASI174mm mini; ASI462MC; ASI120MC
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Re: Galvanic corrosion

#4

Post by Sinerjee »


There’s a conformal coating that a lot of drone pilots use that protects there components from moisture. It will make the pins non conductive if you apply it to those directly but if you’re not plugging in and unplugging then you could apply it around the connector once it’s plugged in.
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Re: Galvanic corrosion

#5

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Corrosion-X works perfectly for protecting electronic circuits/ boards/ equipment from moisture.
I use it on y mounts and my R/C aircraft, especially my float planes.

Here is an example of how well it works :)
https://www.flitetest.com/articles/wate ... lectronics
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Re: Galvanic corrosion

#6

Post by OzEclipse »


I've seen this on circuit boards of mass spectrometers in parts of the instrument subject to condensation from being exposed to cooling from cryogenic gas exhausts.

1. Remove the board and give the board a good scrub with a toothbrush dipped in methylated spirits(metho).
2. Rinse well with metho.
3. Dry the board thoroughly.
4. check all connectors for bent pins
5. Reinstall

Joe
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