Clip+ wet from gym - won't switch on...

MP3 players Sansa Clip | Clip+
1

Like the subject title suggests - the 'player got totally drenched in sweat from gym.

Now the little bugger won’t switch on !

here’s hoping its just a temporary circuitry ‘short’ while its drying out… anyone got any further advice of how robust the main board is or experience of similar? 

Cheers folks

Adrian

3

I had the exact same problem. I was working out and next thing I know the clip cuts off…It was in a sweaty place. I try to do a hard reset and nothing. It was coming on at first with no song and the sansa sign showing. I plug it into the computer and the computer recognizes it.

Did your clip ever come back to life? I really dont want to get another one. 

4

The Sansa Clip / Clip+ devices are remarkably resilient.  A good drying out should be all you need, mixed in with a little patience.

Sweat contains salts, which form conductive deposits on the circuitry. This does complicate things a little bit, but a bath in distilled water actually does help (though the process takes longer). In the fire service, we had a distilled-water ultrasonic bath for those inevitable radio drenchings that would happen on occasion. $1500-plus pacsets don’t mix well with water.

First and foremost, don’t attempt to turn on the device. Place it in a small beg with dry rice, common grocery store rice. It has an amazing affinity for moisture absorption and will accelerate the drying process nicely.

Place the bag on a warm and dry location. Indirect sunlight, like you’ll find on a window sill, is great. DO NOT use a hair dryer or other heating method, as the internal lithium battery will not like the heat!

After it has had a few days to dry, plug in the device, and see if it comes to life. The charging process will help as well, as the process involves a little internal heat as the battery charges.

Bob  :smileyvery-happy:

5

I have a similar problem. I mainly use my Clip+ as an audio source on my motorcycle. Normally I remove it from the handlebars when I think it is going to rain. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to remove it this weekend when I had to ride through a storm. Afterwards, it hasn’t worked. I tried to connect it to my computer, and got a “device not recognized” error message. I will leave it sit for about a week or so, and see if it will come back to life for me. If not, I guess it is time to search for a new player. I might even buy 2 so I have a backup in case this happens again.

6

It might help for the future to place it in a Ziplock bag and just poke a small hole for the headphone cord.

Or if you’re really ambitious, you could mod one of the small Altoids tins to hold your Clip+.

They’re just the right size. Punch a small hole in the side to run the headphone cord through and you can probably get a rubber grommet to guard against chafing. Line the inside with some thin foam to keep it from rattling around and you’re all set. These boxes aren’t totally water-proof, but the lid fits pretty tight. You might be able to line the lid with a thin sheet of plastic to seal the lid when it’s closed.

Of course, you can’t use the clip on the back of the player; I don’t know how you usually fasten it to your handlebars, and it might be a hassle opening it up to change tracks or adjust the volume, etc. but it’s a cool little (almost) ready-made case for either the Plus or Zip models that might work for you.

7

Thanks for the suggestions Tapeworm! I actually do carry a zip lock bag on the motorcycle to cover the player when I know I will be riding in the rain. I just screwed up and didn’t think it would happen when we hit the road. Once we got to a stop, it was too late. I do use the clip on the player to hold the player on the handlebars, near the left hand grip. That way I can easily change the track or adjust the volume while I am riding. I don’t want to be the annoying biker with my music blasting when I pull into a housing area. So the Altoids box would not work for this. It might be worth toying with one to see if I could set it up to allow volume and track control from outside the box.

8

Hi All

Just to confirm these are resilient little players mine has been through a complete hot wash and spin dry in a washing machine after being left in a pocket. I thought that was the end of it so went and bought another but after a few days drying it has worked with no problem ever since!!