Flite Test | Waterproofing Electronics

Peter and Josh show you how to protect your electronics from moisture.
Corrosion-X Heavy Duty: amzn.to/1t0bZKl
Corrosion-X Aerosol: amzn.to/13FBcTK
Corrosion-X: amzn.to/1HEisRN
Turbo Coat: amzn.to/1zj8ErV
More details and links available in the article here:
www.flitetest.com/articles/wat...
Thanks for watching!

[@Skeleson]

You guys should make a submarine plane. It can fly like a normal one but then it can dive and function underwater. Not a bad challenge idea if you ask me.

[@francisrlebrun]

+Tyler Glaze (Central) I second this motion!

[@AdrianSchwizgebel]

+Tyler Glaze (Central) quite a challenge, hopefully they do it!

[@Skeleson]

Adrian Schwizgebel I hope so too!

[@topdawge3688]

+Tyler Glaze (Central) They should do it

[@Skeleson]

+TopDawg e ikr

[@johnnyj540]

The helicopter flying out of the tank of water was cool as hell.

[@MrPhilbautista]

@Jaydon Riegsecker How would you know?

[@mhalokikon4941]

@@MrPhilbautista he went to hell

[@karlmeier9782]

I would rate this as the number one best RC tip I have seen. I live in rainy Oregon and often have tempted fate to try to get in some flying in between rain showers. So far I have not lost any electronics this way, but this idea will add a layer of insurance. Thank you!

[@chriswilson2873]

I just want to say thanks for everything you guys are doing. Your videos are a big part of what inspired me to try flying multirotors. Now I have 2 450 size and 1 230 size quadcoptes. You walked me through my first FPV setup, and so much more. I'm about to build my first plane now, and your videos have taught me everything I need to know to do that too! Now this video showed me how I can fly my new plane in Oregons nasty rainy weather! Thanks again.

[@B10KPlaysGames]

Everyone: Water and electricity dont mix FliteTest: *_Am i a joke to you?_*

[@ImGriffinP]

This isn't natural feeling to watch!! But an interesting idea. I was so worried when Peter put the battery in before coating it. He brings an interesting new aspect to Flitetest. Nice work guys!!

[@orrineldredii8950]

Thank you Peter. I have been using Corrosion X red label for years, saved many rec, escs and servos. I learned about it on the WaterPlanes Forum on RC Groups. I also ordered it from the dist. in Michigan. Later I found small cans of it at my local hardware store. I also use it on light bulbs in the car, house, connections on my trailers and all those lights. It works great. I also use it on the tongue jacks on trailers, and I know some people who buy it by the 5 gal cans and use it on snowmobile trailers, their snowmobiles and all the other outdoor stuff they have that they want to keep lubricated and worry free.

[@JustinShaedo]

Such a great video. Josh asks all the right questions and Peter gives all the right answers. Great editing and sound too.

[@e.n.2076]

even this is old video it is still insane, well done

[@duckgoesquack4514]

i have a challenge for the Flite Test crew. make a fpv plane that can fly in the air and under the water :D bonus points if you can make that plane jump out of the water and take off to the sky. please up vote this, so they can see this post :3

[@JoseLeonVico]

This is one of the most useful videos I've ever watched. Thank you man!!

[@Drunken_Hamster]

Best RC hobby video in the world. Period.

[@flyerminer]

I live near a lake, you have no idea how helpful this has been! Thank you!

[@altaun]

Thanks FliteTest. Great timing for this, the wind picked up this morning and freed my Versa Wing from a very tall tree. It spent 3 rainy days up there. Although the wing and battery were a total loss I was able to save the electronics with a little spray. Looking forward to getting another one as I lost it on the second flight.

[@RussFoster]

Josh: Is this going to kill me? Peter: You'll be fine. Josh: Don't do this at home. Josh: Don't do this at home. Josh: I don't care if it works here. Don't do this at home.

[@jonathanoxlade4252]

I would not do it with a 16s lipo package

[@calebsherman886]

jonathan oxlade Heck

[@leemilica]

@@calebsherman886 frick

[@calebsherman886]

@@leemilica Gosh

[@maxxiang8746]

Jonathan oxlade yeah, I think it would actually be dangerous, because if you had wet hands or if u touched the leads underwater, theoretically there could be almost 30 mA flowing through your body, which could kill you.

[@flavoie]

Good job Peter! Thanks for a very timely video just in time for snow season! Merry Xmas flite test team.

[@MacroAggressor]

I like Peter's videos, he's always really informative. More Peter's tech tips!

[@remkojerphanion4686]

Man, I'm blown away by this stuff.... I need it bad!!! Thanks for the informative video guys!

[@terjetularsen]

Thanks a lot for your great episodes, and this one in particular! Thanks to waterproofing my ESCs and motors I did NOT loose my entire tricopter mini prototype to water damage after crash landing it in a big puddle of water :-) Thanks again, keep up the good work :-)

[@chriscarter8148]

This was a great episode. Very useful info. We can sure use it up here in Minnesota. Thanks guys!

[@blackmennewstyle]

Wednesday should be renamed Peter's day :) Excellent job!

[@oogalook]

Very nice guide! That underwater helicopter was amazing.

[@braedonbellamy9767]

thank you so much flight test for all the great advice and help to the community.

[@Kojima93]

Ive been viewing this channel for some time without subscribing and I have to say, you group of guys are awesome and informative and make youtube a much more better place in so many ways. Thanks guys for providing us with informative videos and taking the time to show us how to properly fix, build, and waterproof our drones.

[@smac919]

lol

[@liljohnp132]

New guy to FPV, Hyperion 280 racer, been drinkin, I love you guys.

[@ghostnig11]

~~~also loved when he went full geek on the servo exps and josh went DUH LOL. Love you guys happy holidays Flite Test and support :)))))))

[@shaunolinger964]

@9:30 THANK YOU!!! THIS is what I was looking for. I run an RC tugboat on the Columbia River, towing myself and my family in our large sea kayaks for up to 10 miles. I dropped my transmitter in the water and had it losing its mind on me 3 miles from the dock. This is what I needed... how to protect my transmitter from being dropped in the water or rained on. I can use this to protect my USB power-port for my cameras too!

[@fenrisillict9876]

Thank you guys. you sacrificed your ESC and took the risk of sacrificing your other components and maybe your life too(putting a battery in water seems extremely dangerous) to help others understand how to waterproof electronics. This makes my respect for you guys even higher.🙏

[@maxxiang8746]

I thought the smoking esc and touching corrosionX was dangerous, not the battery.

[@teampullmyfinger3036]

This in my eyes is a Great Achievement and for you to bring it to us for free is nothing short of Awesome! Thank You so very much!

[@ElectronFunCom]

It seems waterproofing electronics is easier than I thought. Thanks for sharing this great video!

[@XxTomcastxX]

Make magazine did an article on this, and you guys were in it!! Very cool

[@mr.e.484]

Thanks for this video, it is going to save my solo drone, from splash downs during lake shoots. keep up the great work guys.

[@CharpuART]

I really need to waterproof my quad ... thanks guys! Will this kind of stuff work on FPV electronics? wow.... I never thought i would say this: FIRST! :)

[@HiFliteFPV]

It'd be awesome to try it on a mini quad. No more fear of flying over water!

[@RCflyer729]

yea i cant weight to see the video of you flying through a really big waterfall :)

[@plema79]

FAKE!

[@ulaB]

BayAreaCrasher Fake what?

[@ulaB]

I never thought I would say this, but: I'll allow it. ;-)

[@WrathConstantine]

"H2Over" BWAHAHA! Merry Christmas, you nuts! And thanks for another awesomely helpful episode!

[@chris81983]

Standard 5 min epoxy is conductive to a point. I have been waterproofing electronics for over 15 years. For esc the best way is is by using 3m potting compound. You need to disassemble and then brush all 2 light coats over all the fets, resistors ect. Then put back together and you are good to go. Servos corrosion x is good. For the rx you need to remove from case take a small piece of styrofoam stick on pins temporarily and then spray with liquid electrical tape. I use clear but black will work. Spray a couple coats and you are golden with no loss of range. I have a entire thread on OSE offshore electrics forum from about 8 to 10 years ago showing the exact procedures. We were making our gas and nitro boats electronics waterproof long before there was fast electric boats and waterproof electronics for rc. Anyways awesome vid enjoyed watching.

[@Tomartyr]

I loved watching Josh's panicked expressions throughout.

[@philgibe]

Excellent stuff, that video is a must-watch. Thanks a bunch Josh, - and Peter.

[@marpatdan]

When epoxying the esc, use the heat gun on the epoxy you put on to help it flow into all the gaps. You will get a better seal that way.

[@MrKillb8]

Peter is the perfect kind of crazy for this show. Thanks gentlemen useful advise as usual.

[@JoshRS85]

YOu are not "copying" them, you are crowd sourcing information; don't sell yourself short. You are obviously adding back to the community!

[@dart202020]

Pending on price that is awesome!!! Little to no mess, and instant set up! No wait!

[@harpoon_bakery162]

this guy, Peter, is worth every penny he's paid....and I'm sure he's paid well -- this is awesome.

[@HeaanLasai]

FliteTest Thank you for posting this! This stuff isn't available in my country, and the description on amazon just says "anti corrosion lube". There is probably some analogue product available, but to find that you need to know what "Corrosion x" is. What is it? For a similar application I just put generic silicone grease in a syringe and fill up all the empty space, then I wrap it in vulcanizing tape. Is this similar to silicone grease? A thought on your heat shrink ESC solution, epoxy has the disadvantage that it is not pliable in its own. The manufacturer adds a softening agent (like BPA) so that it doesn't crack over time. This crates two problems: 1) The softening agent (regardless whether it is BPA or another softening agent) will migrate from the epoxy and into the other plastics that are in contact with the epoxy. When this migrates into the PCB board's coating, the wire coating and the heat shrink tube, this will alter the properties of these plastics. Migration is a big problem when you design things in plastic materials. 2) As the softening agents migrate out of the epoxy, the epoxy will lose its properties and no longer protect your ESC as you intended. You could avoid this by using vulcanizing silicone. Silicone does not need softening agents, and there are special types of vulcanizing silicone meant for electronics. They are usually sold as "heat sink adhesive" or "heat sink glue". They are thermally conductive, electrically insulating and doesn't damage the electronics. (Vulcanizing silicone will harden into a protective material, silicone paste, silicone grease or "thermal paste" will not harden.) You could easily take it one step further. If you use a syringe to inject the silicone into the heat shrink tube and replace the air, you get something called "pressure compensation". This means you can literally sink it to the bottom of the ocean and it wouldn't leak. You could solve your cooling problem by using thermally conductive silicone adhesive. You mention that by sealing the ESC in heat shrink tubing, you limit the cooling. But if you use vulcanizing silicone, the heat shrink tubing would only have the job to shape the silicone and protect it from abrasion or other mechanical damage. After you've shrunk the tubing you cut a hole right over the heat generating parts of the ESC. Now you add a very thin layer of the heat conductive vulcanizing silicone and add a metal heat sink. After this you fill the heat shrink tubing with silicone as before. This would create a perfectly waterproof ESC housing without sacrificing the cooling.

[@beerenjoyer8525]

Longest comment I've ever seen

[@robertgreen3170]

You might consider sealing your heat shrink with RTV Silicone as well. Windshield sealant (RTV) will seep into crevices very well. If you think you might ever want to get back into your electronics, RTV would be a lot easier to dig out than epoxy!!! You might also want to try Dielectric grease. It's a little messy, but does a great job of keeping moisture out of connectors. I had a customer who wanted to waterproof his Satellite Broadcast Transmitter. TWTs (Traveling Wave Tubes) Normally run at about 8800vdc on the Cathode, 4400 and 2500 volts on the two collectors. He used Humiseal 1B31 to coat all the circuit boards and dielectric grease to seal all the connectors in his transmitter. Then he took it out to the parking lot...put it in transmit (that means with the High Voltage power supplies turned on) and put a garden hose in the chassis and turned it on!!! He ran it that way for half an hour with with the water running with no failures!!! I doubt you'll ever run into 8800 volt power supplies in your RC equipment, though! ;-)

[@x-flight1015]

I learnt the hard way when I used a non waterproof steering servo in my nitro RC car in the rain, one minute it's driving fine in a straight line then the servo starts twitching at full speed and flips the buggy. Make sure to water proof your servos or buy a water proof one! Great tips Flite test :)

[@compwiz00]

Liquid electrical tape is also very useful, and it's pretty easy to remove. I did my video transmitter, FC, Radio, and ESCs and I was able to fly in pouring rain. I haven't tried it submerged, but it I'm sure it will work.

[@zane812]

+compwiz00 did u dip your esc's?

[@spodee55]

+compwiz00 Where did you get that? Live near Seattle and am interested in flying quadcopters in the rain. Unsure about what to do with the flight controller

[@mbuggin1976]

Remove heat shrink and dip the esc as to create a thin layer that 100% keeps it dry but also allows better heat transfer as it is like a heat sink. The heat shrink only insulates the esc by minimizing surface area directly affected by air flow. I have boat esc’s dipped in two part epoxy like a candle that are 6 yrs old and have seen water as a cooling method. The point of failure is typically in the battery connector

[@tblk2186]

So rad! Had no idea! I live on Maui and only place without vegetation is the beach. Long story short, brand new 1/8 scale, running full throttle, servo horn stripped. Straight into the ocean 🤑

[@thespiritstudio]

Peter is awesome... You too Josh... and Josh... and Alex... and Chad... and David (miss that crazy Swede) and everybody at FliteTest...

[@probosis214]

You guys are awesome, just ordered all of it. Thank you!

[@rsokors]

I used Corrosion X HD after watching this episode on a cheap HXT900 servo I have setup for my underwater ROV and so far it is waterproof in fresh water up to 40 feet deep so far. Next dive should be 80ft or more. Thanks Flite Test for the great idea!!!

[@jonathanoxlade4252]

yea you can buy a radio cover so you can fly in the rain aswel

[@allaboutthatphatbass2968]

rsokors what is an ROV?

[@rsokors]

star wars games ROV=Remotely Operated Vehicle. A common term for an underwater rover... like a submarine, but with special features...

[@allaboutthatphatbass2968]

rsokors oh, so a remotely controlled sub basically.

[@rsokors]

star wars games Yeah.

[@plankhill]

I see much more potential for this stuff in other areas as well. Looks like good stuff !!! thanks for the info.

[@zacjohnson8404]

This is awesome, I will be way more confident flying over the water with this. Good thing I can swim too!

[@bigflytrap]

Most intriguing flite test episode ever

[@lowrevsrc]

great vid josh and peter but is there one spray to use for all for just bad weather flying as opposed to full submersal?

[@lawlau5109]

Awesome video, as usual I am late to the party. I found many uses for corrosion x the last 25 years on many corroded stuff and electronics. I would add is to be careful when using on your transmitter. The plastic on the screw areas and battery compartment in my tx JR 9x slowly fell apart. Remember to wipe away excess spray and keep it on the electronics only.

[@imignap]

Finally, good content!!

[@thexpto51]

Excellent work!

[@starg8man]

I've had good experiences coating my esc units in clear silicon caulking for waterproofing.

[@baitboy3191]

you are a genius peter

[@leonardmilcin7798]

If you gets your electronics wet, disassemble it and rinse it in distilled water (electronic water is best) and then in isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) will pull out water and then evaporate quickly. This limits the chance there will be a drop of water somewhere under your components or in hard to reach place. Also IPA may be able to dissolve some of the contaminants that water could not. Also, don't be timid when using distilled water, just submerge it and shake it vigorously. I see many people making mistake of not committing to really submerge the laptop board in the water. You really want as much distilled water so that it can quickly dissolve and pull contaminants from your board. The more volume of water and the better access it has the better for your board. Good distilled water (or even better, electronic water) is not damaging to the board. It is only after stuff is dissolved in water (microelements, salt, chlorine, oxygen from air) that it becomes damaging to electronics. It is still better to rinse the board in tap water and then with IPA than let it stay covered in salt water or sweet Latte...

[@brimest0ne]

Just bookmarked this page, great info guys

[@welshpete12]

I sail radio control schooners . this will be a great help , thank you for posting .

[@Ultimatevr123]

Very informative. Just purchased the corrosion x....also, sticking your hand in a bucket of water with DC voltage that low with low current idling a motor will far from ever hurt you. Matter a fact I don't think even high current at that voltage would hurt you. Don't forget, DC voltage is nothing like AC voltage. Ac current return path is earth, putting your self between the bucket of electrified water and earth will shock you but...direct current works in a very different way, your body would have to be in series with the battery and the load device and even then you'd need a little bit of current to feel it. Don't forget too, that water has a better conductivity than your body, it would never pass through you before the water...as electricity chooses the least path of resistance...flight test guys don't know all this???😁

[@philippd6117]

Hmm...I think Peter should start building Submarines!!!

[@TheWatergrow]

Amazing! Keep the good work!

[@aeroscience9834]

Excellent video! You guys should make a plane that flys under water. Subs can be complex with ballast tanks but wings can creat lift underwater (you just need waterproof foam!)

[@ArduinoKing]

For things with dip switches or tuning pots I have used silicone sealant. Means that it can be peeled off again easy. I have also heard of people using plasti dip as well. Can also use marine grease and pack their servos full of it, electronics and all to waterproof. I have also heard of grease used to protect connectors.

[@axelgunnarson8349]

Why don´t use Corrosion-X HD to all components? and thanks flitetest for a great episode!

[@TKHONDA7]

Josh Peter you got to read this! Dip your ESCs in Plasti Dip and it will be perfectly protected. way better than what your using. Works awesome! Also when are you going to design the perfect beginner plane?

[@Green87]

Great video, can't wait to try this stuff out!!! I want to CX my FPV gear, do you think it would it be ok to apply the CorrosionX to the antenna connector? Also, if I use the CorrosionX on a PDB, can I clean it off later if I need to re-solder a connection?

[@acdceric12345]

YO peter is like.... REALLY f*cking smart

[@facemasters3506]

the real mastermind behind the scenes

[@BOKI797]

Peter & Josh very good Video on water Proofing ! Thanks

[@TheFunwithrc]

thanks for a timely video, I recently crashed into a puddle and the esc stopped working. I was wondering if we could use the liquid electrical tape on the esc to water proof it ?

[@JockeGPz750]

Peter, please use Nitril-gloves when handling epoxy. Epoxy on skin can lead to allergies.... Great tips, I´ll use in the future on my next Polaris.

[@vikramkataria631]

I want to know that for how long it can resist water, if i submerge my electronic items for lets say 10 days will it still work?

[@connieindahouse]

Peter ain't scared, fearless!

[@jpsgarage]

where did you guys get the mini yellow boeing-vertol ch-113 labrodor that's next to the tank? ive always wanted a little tandem rotor heli like that

[@twodogsdave66]

The best video! That guy is just full of info . Thank you

[@Soldier53flyer]

Great job guys!

[@davidwood4325]

Thanks guys and its just started snowing UK

[@Super73VW]

Take a look at Tough-Seal 21 to Pot your ESC's. I have used that product for potting instrumentation that we developed for NOAA. Works great in deep sea immersion and at low temps in Antarctica. It has also survived well in the Tropics of Sierra Leone

[@FireFoxConn]

As an electronics engineer I recommend what we call Potting the electronics. you can purchase the potting epoxy pretty much anywhere online or at electronics supply stores. conformal coating is another name. esd safe and anti-corrosion conformal coating is recommended for most electronics boards. it does not work well for parts that need to dissipate heat, such as the ESC or the HV servos. if there is any doubt, google is your best friend. for protecting your brushless motors, you can use silicone lubricating spray and a frequent cleaning with wd-40 to remove moisture.

[@FireFoxConn]

For the issue with the ESC. you can pot those but i would not pot the power FETs as they need to transfer heat to the heat sink and the voltage they put can short fairly easily through conformal coating and corrosionX, instead you can use the 5 min epoxy or even 100% silicone like what is used for glass.

[@FireFoxConn]

Also, radio signals in general dont work well through water. that is why most ROVs and rc submarines use tethers. you can get around this with a massive antenna on an fm receiver or by making an antenna tube that breaches the waters surface while diving.

[@DheerajAeshdj]

cool stuff..now, should I have to apply corrosion x every time before I get things into the water? or once in a lifetime thing? or once every 6months? any timelines, please!!

[@SnapPunchRobert]

Very very Educational, Thank you. Hope you had a great Christmas guys.

[@BrianGasGasEnduro]

I've loved this video for years and have used Corrosion X since then on all my RC stuff and many other uses. Now I've got an e-bike and am wondering if there's any reason(s) not to soak my mid-drive motor and electrics with Corrosion X. Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@airoscar]

FYI, The Canadian alternative to CorrosionX is FluidFilm, available at most Canadian Tire stores. :)

[@TheRogerx3]

Peter thanks, All At flite test and every where Happy Christmas and new year.

[@MrJetexjim]

Excellent stuff. You guys are great

[@MrMatVids]

Interesting video, could you water proof a KK2 board? What product would you choose for something like that? Thanks in advance.

[@Synper311]

What would be the best coating to use of the ones featured in the video for a RTF multirotor's integrated ESC/FCB like for the Proto-X FPV for heavy Winter snowfall? The Corrosion-X still? Thanks for the help!

[@pavlosconstantinou9236]

+FliteTest why not use bathroom silicone for shielding the ESC ?

[@billmacfarland3200]

Wicked helpful information. Thank you.

[@KenJones1961]

Late to the party, but three thoughts: You can get epoxy with self-mixing nozzles to make it easy to fill the ESC. I personally would think pure silicone sealant would work better than epoxy, because it will remain flexible. It sticks directly to anything that is made of silica, including glass, with a really strong bond. It's used to seal aquariums! I'd try sealing the ends of the heat shrink and letting it cure before shrinking it creating an even tighter seal.

[@rajeshprasad9645]

Hi peter & josh. I have a doubt. Will the 2.4 GHz receiver works well under water? The receiver is in water and does it gets the signal from transmitter? Sam

[@jlryar]

Hi! Great vid :) So, could I just deep all my electronics in corrosionX to waterproof them? Is it better if I let it dry alone of if I clean the excess? And how often should I reapply the corrosionX so as not to worry if I land somewhere wet?

[@RBAERO]

Using the corrosion X spray how long they protect from the water? How often it's need re apply the product?

[@TheTechnicalTraders]

Would love your feedback on Plasti-Dip ECS vs your other options here?

[@gortt7611]

Superb video guys - thanks so much!

[@EAteearsehole]

JOSH: This feel so wrong! with a side of giggles! like a school girl lol. Priceless