What is this mess on the PCB?

[ShinOBIWAN]

Hi folks

I spotted some odd residue on my PCB recently. The component hadn't been used for about a year and was safely stored away in the house during that time. I pulled it out to use again and did a quick inspection only to find this. Can anyone tell me what it could be? I haven't powered it up for fear of damaging something, it was working fine the last time I used it before storing.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

[thimios]

Salt from dried water

 

[ShinOBIWAN]

Hi and thanks thimios. Can you tell me if this is dangerous at all and how to fix it?

 

[AKSA]

Clean it with distilled water several times with a soft brush, then leave to air dry.

Should be fine.........

Hugh

 

[ShinOBIWAN]

Clean it with distilled water several times with a soft brush, then leave to air dry.

Should be fine.........

Hugh

Thanks Hugh. I was worried it was something serious like a leaky capacitor or something! The component is only 3 years old so thought it unlikely glad its just rain water. Makes sense since I moved house awhile back and it was tipping it down when we emptied the moving van so could have easily picked up a drop through the vents on the case.

 

[AndrewT]

fake vodka that had something else added?

 

[Mihkus]

Someone probably cummed in there...

 

[thimios]

Clean it with distilled water several times with a soft brush, then leave to air dry.

Should be fine.........

Hugh

Agree.

 

[AndrewT]

Agree.

I use a tooth brush and dish washing detergent, then keep brushing as I flush with running tap water. Vigorous shake and leave to dry.

 

[jackinnj]

Teenage boys in the house?

 

[ShinOBIWAN]

Jizz was my first thought. Definitely got a salty taste to it.

 

[Kirchhoff]

Was that IC previously replaced / hand soldered?

If yes, then it may be the long term effect of using over generous amounts of liquid flux.

 

[jan.didden]

Clean it with distilled water several times with a soft brush, then leave to air dry.

Should be fine.........

Hugh

Dish washer, on its own. I kid you not! These things are designed to clean and leave no residue and air dry. I've done it with complete amps, scopes, things like that. All worked flawlessly afterwards.

Jan

 

[ShinOBIWAN]

Was that IC previously replaced / hand soldered?

If yes, then it may be the long term effect of using over generous amounts of liquid flux.

All original components, no repairs or replacements.

 

[Kirchhoff]

All original components, no repairs or replacements.

Judging by the blobs of solder on the IC pins, I say it was a hand job 😀

 

[scott wurcer]

Jizz was my first thought. Definitely got a salty taste to it.

And you guys wonder where all the DIY ladies went. 😱

 

[keantoken]

Dish washer, on its own. I kid you not! These things are designed to clean and leave no residue and air dry. I've done it with complete amps, scopes, things like that. All worked flawlessly afterwards.

Jan

Just make sure the dishwasher doesn't have food gunk left in it which will leave a film on the board.