Underwater LS - Fried SD card

Aaron S

Active Member
I bumped into the LS on a rover pole, and it fell into the lake... it was in less than two feet of clean clear water, but completely submerged for maybe 10 seconds.

I took it out and everything was running ok, so I wasn't worried. When I got back to the office, the J-Field software doesn't recognize the micro SD card, but Windows explorer does via USB as shown in the attached. I'm assuming the card is fried and beyond recovery. What does this mean for my projects on it, and what kind of card do I need to get to replace it?
8978
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
I'm assuming the card is fried and beyond recovery.

You should plug the card directory into a PC to see if it reads it. If it does then it likely indicates the SD card reader on your LS was damaged. If it can't be read on your PC then try reformatting it. If reformatting fails then purchase a new SD card. It will need to be FAT32 formatted.

What does this mean for my projects on it

If you were saving photos, screenshots and raw GNSS data to the SD this data will be lost.
 

Aaron S

Active Member
The card is readable in a PC, so the card reader is definitely damaged. Additionally, there are water drops behind the lens of the front camera, and the speakers sound weird/muffled. Buzz kill!

So now what?
 

Duane Frymire

Active Member
The card is readable in a PC, so the card reader is definitely damaged. Additionally, there are water drops behind the lens of the front camera, and the speakers sound weird/muffled. Buzz kill!

So now what?
You could try drying it out thoroughly before sending it in for repair. Sounds like water is still in it. Open all the available covers so air can get in and water vapor out. Remove the back cover as well such as when replacing batteries. Put it in a breezy, sunny spot if available.
 

Steve Douty

Well-Known Member
I once dropped an electronic total station into water. When I pulled it out and turned it on I fried it! I was told by the repair expert that the worse thing you can do with electronics if there is a possibility of water damage is to turn it on. In hindsight this makes perfect sense. (Water droplets can conduct electricity to places and in directions that are not healthy.) Always remove the power source if you can; also remember that there are sometimes batteries other than the main one. If you think that there is probably water damage; place the wet instrument in an air-tight package (plastic bag) and ship it to the manufacturer. This prevents a change in conductive pathways as it dries out. If you aren’t certain; dry it out until you are confident, then turn it on. I would love to hear from the top brass at JAVAD what they recommend.
 
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