My almost-new Meguiar's dual-action polisher sleeps with the fishes. :smt013 I can likely get a diver to find it but am wondering if anyone has successfully saved a drowned piece of rotating electrical equipment by drying it out or if it's a lost cause? FWIW, I was going to give it a very favorable review except for its suicidal tendencies.
Buffer Rescue?
- Thread starter alnav
- Start date
tdschafer
Well-Known Member
Aw dude, that sucks. But your post is kinda funny, sorry if I chuckled a bit.
osd9
New Member
I dropped a 10 year old Sears orbital in the drink two years ago.....while it was still plugged in. I immediately retrieved it, unplugged it and then rinsed it with freshwater. I let it dry till the next weekend and then plugged it back in and....it still works. I did buy a new replacement but haven't had to use it yet...the old girl is still spinning.
Flush it with fresh water then a liberal dose of WD-40, should be good to go after it dries out.
- Apr 26, 2009
- 5,821
- Boat Info
- '97 330 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 suite with radar, Mercury 310 Hypalon w/8hp Yammie 2stk
- Engines
- 2X 454 carbs w/ vDrives
I hope those two were not in that order!!:wow: I guess since you are still around to make this post, it must have been the other way around.
osd9
New Member
Actually.....it all happened so quick, my instinct was to just grab the cord and pull it out of the water. It wasn't locked 'on'...it wasn't even 'on'....when it went in. I was moving my 'stuff' to get to the other side and I just lost the handle on it. I was standing on the swimplatform when it happened. I layed it on the platform and then unplugged it before touching anything. So...to answer your question....yes....it was in that order.
- Apr 26, 2009
- 5,821
- Boat Info
- '97 330 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 suite with radar, Mercury 310 Hypalon w/8hp Yammie 2stk
- Engines
- 2X 454 carbs w/ vDrives
Wow. Lucky break. With the salt water on everything you're lucky you didn't get a jolt. I had an old circular saw shortout while I was using it standing on muddy ground and the AC makes your muscles contract sometimes. My hand gripped hard on the saw and I had a hard time dropping it. I had to almost throw it to get my hand to let go.
- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,335
- Boat Info
- 2003 280DA and 1995 Sea Ray 175
- Engines
- Twin 4.3l and 3.0l, all w/ AlphaI GenII drives
That old circular saw probably had a metal case (ie: was not double-insulated), and probably didn't even have a ground wire in the plug. I have an old drill from my Dad's Dad that is a beast, but has the same electrical issues to beware of when using it. Never been shocked by it, but... I have planned on replacing the cord with a cord with a 3rd prong (ground), but...just never get around to it.
osd9
New Member
I haven't really given any thought to this since it happened. And thinking back, I was plugged into a GFCI outlet at my dock. The GFCI popped once it hit the water. So basically it unplugged itself. I forgot about that detail.......
mistercomputerman
Well-Known Member
- Jan 6, 2008
- 4,321
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer - 2001
- Engines
- Twin 8.1L Mercruisers - 2009
I had the same experience as Dom with a Porter-Cable. Dropped it in the drink, grabbed the cord as it was going it, whipped it back out, unplugged and dried out. Used it last month to wax the entire boat.
- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,344
- Boat Info
- 2006 300DA Sundancer
- Engines
- 350 Mags / Bravo III
I don't know...if it is sleeping with the fishes, there is likely going to be a lot of mud / sand in bearings and in the brushes etc....may have to disassemble that one to get the minnows out of it.
skibum
Well-Known Member
Have it pulled out. Like everyone said. rinse it well with fresh water and let it dry out.
To be more thorough, open it up, rinse it really well, use WD-40 to get the water out of any bearings that you see, and set it in the sun for an hour or two. Once it is dry, get some CRC contact cleaner and use it to remove the WD40 residue and any remaining crud from the motors (or windings, if you can see them), switches, and anything else electronic. Next, put a single drop of #1 light machine oil in every bearing. If necessary, replace the grease on any gears or components that you may have removed grease from and reassemble. I think you can salvage it.
To be more thorough, open it up, rinse it really well, use WD-40 to get the water out of any bearings that you see, and set it in the sun for an hour or two. Once it is dry, get some CRC contact cleaner and use it to remove the WD40 residue and any remaining crud from the motors (or windings, if you can see them), switches, and anything else electronic. Next, put a single drop of #1 light machine oil in every bearing. If necessary, replace the grease on any gears or components that you may have removed grease from and reassemble. I think you can salvage it.
Skuza
Well-Known Member
Just reminds me our old Black & Decker is under the dock. Probably been down there 5 years now. Always "knot" your cord for a chance at salvaging. I'd like to try and pull it up and see if I could get it running now. That wouldn't even be a thought with the new cheap crap.
I agree if you rinse and dry it well it should work.
I agree if you rinse and dry it well it should work.
kpetry
Member
- Jul 19, 2008
- 362
- Boat Info
- 2002 Sea Ray 340DA
- Engines
- Twin 8.1 Horizons, inboard
The diver would probably cost as much as a new one, but think what a great story it makes to tell your dockmates if you can salvage it!