AI's Take a bath

bruno21447 · Jul 13, 2012

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[TD="class: msgLineDevider"]Well my AI'S fell into my tank today. Got them out pretty fast but they had alot of water on them. When it rains it pours I swear. So tore them apart and dried them out and used rubbing alcohol to hopefully save them. They are only week old. So pending outcome is when I will decide if I am taking a break from the hobby or not. Will know tonight I am goin to let them sit all day.

Any other ideas of what I can do?
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Reef Breeders · Jul 13, 2012

Put the circuit board and LEDs in a sealed bag full of dry rice for 24 hours. Cleaning was a good start.

Reef Breeders · Jul 13, 2012

Also, the LEDs could be fine, was it turned on? If so, then they may be damaged

Dashiki · Jul 13, 2012

+1on the rice

bruno21447 · Jul 13, 2012

Yea it was turned on it started flickering then unplugged when I tried pulling it out.:cry:

The board dont look like anything fried but yea not sure what the leds them self will do. guess a waiting game. I will do rice couple people said just dry the board good cuz rice only works with things that are hard to get to every part like a phone. But I might as well try everything.

pgr11 · Jul 13, 2012

Try the rice for sure. If its a no go try contacting AI and Telling them What happened. They are good with customer service and helped me out when I had an issue earlier. You never know not that they would give you a free unit but may get you what you need to get your going

RogerWilco357 · Jul 13, 2012

can you rinse in ro water then blow dry and put in rice ..left over salt from the water could short out alot of stuff or ?

kmaintl · Jul 14, 2012

sorry to hear about the dip. try calling AI to see what they recommend. they maybe able to help you save it.

LegoZ81 · Jul 14, 2012

Agree RogerWilco357 and kmaintl, Call AI for sure if they say they won't do anything for you rinse with RO/DI @ 0tds get them as dry as you can then do the rice trick. It is important to rinse though as the salt is corrosive and will continue to attack the boards over time. Most of all from another AI owner best of luck! Worst case you should be able to buy the gen 1 to 2 conversion and you will get more optics, new led pucks, new circuit boards and new power supplies. It also comes with fans and some other pieces that are not needed. These were priced @ $250 a while back.

bruno21447 · Jul 15, 2012

Thanx all for the advice well I used a q-tip and used rubbing alcohol a few times to try and get all the salt water off it. Then put it in rice for couple days. Put it all together and plugged it in while I prayed. And WAAALA!!!! It works. It was late so only left them on for 30 min so tomorrow will see how they do all day.

Is this conversion kit on there site? I havent heard of it yet I will have to check it out. thanx

LegoZ81 · Jul 15, 2012

AI Gen One Upgrade Kit - AI Parts Store

I'd talk to them first before you put them back I service and if you have any trouble or before buying any parts to see if they have any suggestions. They have been very understanding with some in the past.

LegoZ81 · Jul 15, 2012

Also keep in mind when Vega drops they should end up releasing and upgrade kit for the gen 2 sol

Steelerfan747 · Jul 15, 2012

bruno21447 said:
Thanx all for the advice well I used a q-tip and used rubbing alcohol a few times to try and get all the salt water off it. Then put it in rice for couple days. Put it all together and plugged it in while I prayed. And WAAALA!!!! It works. It was late so only left them on for 30 min so tomorrow will see how they do all day.

Is this conversion kit on there site? I havent heard of it yet I will have to check it out. thanx

Glad to hear everything seems to have worked out for you. Best of luck

LegoZ81 · Jul 16, 2012

From linked reef builders article:
"AI has also put together an upgrade path for current AI Sol owners who will have the ability to transform their Sol for $250 to $300, which includes a lot of new components and is just a little more than half the cost of a new AI Vega. Aqua Illumination expects to be shipping the AI Vega to distributors in August, so it’s just a matter of time before we can all get some action with the exciting new AI Vega Color and Vega Blue."
Read more: http://reefbuilders.com/2012/06/22/ai-vega-blue-color/#ixzz20p4ay44s

So upgrade looks like it will be $250-$300.

bruno21447 · Jul 16, 2012

I will really have to consider these upgrades. Wanted to buy new vegas but if I can just upgrade mine to be compatable that would be sweet. thanx for info