Saved my soggy GoPRO Hero 3 Blk Edition (that's $400)

crwdns2853023:0crwdne2853023:0

I routinely fly a small electric RC Paramotor around the beach and over the surf toting an unprotected GoPRO Hero camera. While flying a recent chassis modification I was out over the surf when I lost power and slowly it desended down into the ocean (BUMMER). A surfer recovered the entire soggy rig and brought it back to shore. I watched as water dripped out of my GoPRO as I removed the battery... I bundled up my Soggy Mess and brought it home.

crwdns2853024:0crwdne2853024:0

- Removed the battery ASAP.

- Rinsed in fresh water in sink, repeated the rinse a couple times.

- Using a can of compressed air I blew the water out from the chassis.

- Submerged within a big bowl of rice (overnight)

- Left entire bowl of rice and cam on dashboard of car next day

-Replaced a dead battery and powered up (Everything Worked???, except noticed an internal smudge)

-Found iFixit.com and the GoPR0 Hero 3 teardown

-ordered up tool kit and found a supplier for DSLR Sensor cleaning kit.

-Tore it down, gently cleaned the sensor, reassembled to find it now more of an out of focus looking smear, all was working fine.

-Tore it down another level, cleaned the sensor and the internal lens. Reassembled and BINGO... CLEAN Video and Pictures, except Now the two front LED indicator light don't work. Hmmm it has other lights so I'm good with this until I see someone else post how I might repair the lights. At this point I think it would require replacing the entire circuit card.

crwdns2853025:0crwdne2853025:0

I was surprised that the flush and rice worked. Also my initial (recommended) gently wipe was not enough for the stain on my camera. I stripped one of the screws holding the the lens on the circuit card. I was pretty rough at that point trying to get traction on a stripped screw. I am pretty certain that has cause my new problem with front indicator led lights.

Jack Zabawa

San Diego, CA