Navman de-mister

[Swifty]

Following a mention from Danny that it is possible to open the Navman and dry the insides out.

Well... Couldn't resist so I took a torx driver (T6) and opened it up and left it to dry out. Had a quick look at the keypad membrane which is the most likely place water is getting in, but couldnt spot any obvious ingress. It seems well designed with rubber seals all around. Maybe it was humid in the factory when it was made.

I had a tiny sachet of silica gel which fitted perfectly so should keep it dry.

Will let you all know what happens. Am hopefully out this weekend up the Thames.

[jwalker]

I hope you heated or otherwise dried the silica gel before you put it in, otherwise it will contain moisture. If there is a wee leak in the unit, unfortunately it will only work until the silica becomes moisture laden.

[danny]

Swifty.

This equipment is gasfilled/closed in the factory. I Think that the problem starts later on.

Check your edges on the plastic screen. Mine had some very tiny cracks on the black side. Since I have replaced it with real glas, the glue closed that cracks.

Have opened it again this morning and will dry the silica very well.

Next problem is the percentage of moisture in the air. It's never 100% dry in your house but will be around 30 to 60 % wet depending on weatherconditions outside. I don't think that we will ever close this thing really dry.

Dan.

[Swifty]

What it needs is an inert gas that I can squirt in. What about some tinned air for blowing out cameras etc, wonder if that would do the job.

Butane might have an adverse effect on the plastic...

[danny]

I wil try 99% argongas. It's used for welding SS and alu. Has no Oxygen and is an inert gas.
I've got it at my workshop. Will try to assemble the unit together in a gasfilled bag. Let's see if it works.

I thought that butane contained water. Maybe I am wrong.

Dan.

[Rupert Bear]

Doesn't work, I did this with a VHF last year using high purity Nitrogen and it still steamed up after a short time.
I thought I was being clever doing it as well!

[MeMe]

...the wrong way BUT - you guys are bloody nutters. Gas filled bags, butane - nitorgen - argon gas etc - Bloody hell - how do you know all this stuff

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by Rupert Bear

Doesn't work, I did this with a VHF last year using high purity Nitrogen and it still steamed up after a short time.
I thought I was being clever doing it as well!

How did you get the air out before you put the nitrogen in Ideally you would use a vacuum chamber and once you have pumped the air out you would replace it with an inert gas

By the way what is the other 1% in 99% nitrogen Des

Meme, I’m sure you used to know all this sort of thing before you got a stripy boat, it’s a bit like going blond there is a direct correlation with brain cell count Des

[danny]

Originally Posted by MeMe

...the wrong way BUT - you guys are bloody nutters. Gas filled bags, butane - nitorgen - argon gas etc - Bloody hell - how do you know all this stuff

Well... For me. I'm running a repair en rental shop for all thinkeble kind of tools. beside that we make all kind of custommade stainless steel and aluminium parts. Yes, also for Ribs like a-frames and small parts.
I don't really know that much but the guys here do.

Dan.

[MeMe]

:d