saving a welding machine that was partly under water

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Hello to all!  I have some questions about welding machines that were partly or completely submerged in water. I am from the NW Louisiana area that flooded last week and still is in many places. The water at my place has not completely gone down yet. But I just want to get whatever advice, suggestions that may be offered on saving the welding machines, if possible, when I can get in the building. One machine is an Miller Econotig and the other is a Lincoln 180 mig welder. The electricity is off at the box and I know not to use anything electrical until they are completely dried out.I plan on getting contact cleaner, denatured alcohol, stuff like that. I am also looking online for information. This flooding has caught everybody by surprise! My place has flooded before, but not like this. I also have some diesel machines that got flooded, but hopefully the  water did not get high enough to get into the intakes.Thanks for your input. I am at the library now and am going to leave in a few minutes to check on tractor filters and get info. but I will be back online tonight. I hope the other weldingweb members in NW Louisiana are ok!Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:Take the covers off let them dry, then put them in a box and pack them in (DRY) rice for a few days. I have done this and it works 90% of the time.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:The Econotig might be junk. The board and some components inside may not be salvageable. I would wash it out with clean water first, to remove any debris or sediment. If it's salt water, definitely wash everything in fresh water before drying it out.Use compressed air to hit the standing water. The rice thing works good too. It can't hurt at this point and is cheap. Disconnect and open up the foot control (if applicable) It may be the old Linemaster type with pins on the sides that push in. Open it up, blow it out along with the connector on the end of the cord. I use a box fan to thoroughly dry welding machines after washing them.You might get lucky and after its dried out for a good few days. Just make sure if any salt water has come into contact with the insides of the machine, that you wash it out first. Salt water will destroy the components once it's starts to corrode them.Personally, I would be talking to my insurance agent. It might be a great opportunity to replace your machinery with newer, better stuff. The Econotig isn't worth fixing, I wouldn't put any money into it.Good luck with it.IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Never having gone through a flood before, I can not imagine losing my gear to one, hope all works out ok!
Reply:Any insurance coverage?  If so let them worry about it.Dan D.Manipulator Of Metal
Reply:Most people think that submergence in water is death to electronics. It may have been 40 years ago, but today, if there are no batteries or other current source active while submerged, it will probably work when dried out thoroughly...... They sometimes wash those circuit boards with water/detergent in the manufacturing process......   WD40 is useful in displacing water after drying as much as possible.  Things like the touch sensitive switches and screens may be impossible to dry however. The dry rice bit does work quite well by the way. I have brought back two cell phones that "went kayaking" with that.
Reply:Clean the inside out with fresh water If you can set them in the sun for about a week at least with a fan blowing on the inside. Turning upside down a couple of time too will help displace any water trapped. Then plug them in for a few hours do not use other then to have them on. Then let is set for another day. Then check the functions after that. If it works then you should be all set. IF not I would get my homeowner insurance guy involved.Last edited by tinker001; 03-14-2016 at 08:34 PM.Klutch 220si mig , stick, and dc tigHobart 140 AHP ALPHA 200X 2016Lotos LTP5000DSmith O/P
Reply:After you rinse it out get some denatured alcohol and clean with a toothbrush all the circuit boards and connections.  Isopropanol will also work if it is above 90%.  Let it dry for a few days before you reassemble anything you took apart.  This works well.
Reply:Thanks, 7A749 for your response. Yea, the Econotig was having problems before the flood. I have brought some equipment back to life before. The compressor in the building tipped over, being an upright. But it landed on something that kept it from going under. But I do have another compressor that is usable, and wasn't flooded. I bought a heat lamp, too. The water is freshwater, mostly. I really would like to save the Lincoln welder. But if not, it will be replaced.Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:Thanks, tinker001. I plan on doing just that along with some other cleaning, drying work. Once the water recedes enough.Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:Thanks zippymbr for the response. I'll be using denatured alcohol, too. Along with the other great advice the other members have given.Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:Thanks, juiceclone, for the advice. I have never tried the dry rice technique, before. I may just do that.Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:No. Where I live the place has flooded before, but not that much in such a very short time. I do, like many other people, have my work cut out for me in the days ahead. At least there were very few loss of lives.Thanks for your input.Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:Thank-you BrianC . I have had several floods over the years on the property and had gotten things out of danger of water that would not last if water got to them. Some stuff wouldn't be hurt much. And others, I just let go. This flood has caught many, if not all by surprise! One main north-south highway, Hwy. 71 is completely under water in a low area not far from where I live. Needless to say, that is just one road. Well, prayer, Grace of God and determination will see us through.Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:Thanks, mechanic416. I have gotten very good advice from several members. Thanks, again!Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:Once you've gotten all the water out you can,  Go at it with some wd-40 to displace the water in the hidden crevices you can't get at.
Reply:Your little MIG should be fine with a rinse and blow out. I've washed probably over a thousand welding machines in the 15 years I've been buying and selling them. I do know that the Miller has some delicate stuff inside it that may not handle being submerged under water for any period of time. Hard to say tho. I've seen stuff under water for weeks work just fine after being dried out.Hopefully, you have already called your insurance agent and asked about replacement. I wouldn't even attempt to plug the Econotig in if I could pay my deductible and replace it with something like a new Syncrowave 210 or Lincoln Squarewave 200 Last edited by 7A749; 03-15-2016 at 08:11 AM.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948