Dunked Spark in River. Salvageable?

[John Fredrickson]

I crashed my Spark in a frozen river a few days ago. It took me about 20-30 minutes to find it and fish it out. When I pulled it out the lights came back on while I was running back to my car but it died shortly after that and has not been able to charge or turn on since then.

Is there anything I can do to try to get it working again?

It was freshwater, not saltwater btw.

I was able to get the footage from the crash off the sd card and found that it had been recording under water for over a minute before it stopped. Pretty impressive! Hopefully I didn’t fry it completely though

 

[aviscomi]

Mistake #1...Turning it on before it dried out

 

[John Fredrickson]

Mistake #1...Turning it on before it dried out

I didn’t turn it on. I just noticed that the lights came on while I was running back to the car. My hands and feet were too frozen to stop and figure it out as it was 10 degrees F out. By the time I got back to my car it was dead.

 

[aviscomi]

Take the battery off an allow the Spark to dry for a few days. Some say put it in rice, but I read that's a "wives tale".

 

[John Fredrickson]

Take the battery off an allow the Spark to dry for a few days. Some say put it in rice, but I read that's a "wives tale".

Did all that. It’s been 5 days. I left the battery disconnected from the drone the whole time. Still can’t get the battery to turn on or charge. Maybe it’s just the battery though? I ordered a new battery but it hasn’t got here yet. Is there anything else I should try in the mean time?

 

[aviscomi]

Also, do you have DJI Refresh?

 

[John Fredrickson]

Also, do you have DJI Refresh?

What’s that?

 

[aviscomi]

Did all that. It’s been 5 days. I left the battery disconnected from the drone the whole time. Still can’t get the battery to turn on or charge. Maybe it’s just the battery though? I ordered a new battery but it hasn’t got here yet. Is there anything else I should try in the mean time?

I wouldn't have wasted my money or the battery...the success rate on water damage is very low.

 

[John Fredrickson]

I wouldn't have wasted my money or the battery...the success rate on water damage is very low.

Well if I can’t fix it I’m getting a new one anyway so the new battery will get used either way.

 

[aviscomi]

What’s that?

The additional insurance through DJI...I think it would have been $60ish for the Spark

 

[John Fredrickson]

The additional insurance through DJI...I think it would have been $60ish for the Spark

Wow that sounds like a pretty good deal. Does it cover pilot error like this?

 

[aviscomi]

Well if I can’t fix it I’m getting a new one anyway so the new battery will get used either way.

I know you don't want to hear this, but I'll say it anyway.

If you are not that familiar with the drone, it's HIGHLY recommended to stay away from water.

 

[aviscomi]

Wow that sounds like a pretty good deal. Does it cover pilot error like this?

Yes, as long as you can retrieve the drone

 

[aviscomi]

Also, if you do buy another Spark you can use your existing RC, thus it'll save you a few $

 

[Zookeeper]

Did you leave it to dry upside down? If not then give it a try..

 

[mikep2323]

If you have to buy another spark before you go to the store you should check on the app let go or offer up. I found the combo deal for 450 brand new in wrapped box. There are a lot of people selling just the spark in my area and you might be able to save a few bucks.