Gauntlet Thrown - Waterproofing Open Ports

Okay gentlemen... I had a guy email me to ask how to waterproof open ports. He works for SEAMAP and surveys coastal areas.

Scenario... Sitting on the back of a trawler that is open and subject to salt spray, rain, waves... WATER! I don't know all the equipment he has running but he needs to have his AC plugged in along with a USB and Ethernet. The ports must be open for this and he is curious how to protect the innards of the CF-31 with everything attached.

I suggested one of two things off the top of my head.

1. Sealing putty. He could mold it on and pull it off when needed. This is more temporary.

2. Apply a release agent to the connector housing... Plus in the cables, then apply RTV to the connector ends... Smearing it up and around the port to seal it. When cured he should be able to pull out the cables with the RTV hardened and molded to the shape of the port. He could then clean off the release agent. Theoretically... This should work.

I also told him that he may want to try to make some of these connections wireless... This doesn't work for him for a variety of reasons... So we have to use the cables.

And.... 3...2...1...

Thoughts?

 

A lot more info needed than that, but start here...

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...fix=laptop+port+pl,aps,212&crid=1867CXEC6O64E

 

How about short 6" extensions.
Seal them with RTV.
Custom waterproof screw together connections on the other end.

Ideas

http://www.usbfirewire.com/wp_screw-lock.html

 

Nice idea!

 

If you want to get really rugged about it. Use the screw on usb cables, then RTV them.



These are nice.

http://www.mruggedmobile.com/toughbook-cf-19-usb-extension-cable.aspx

 

You beat me to it Shawn, I was just about to post link to that right angled usb connector

 

You got to be fast to beat a search ninja.

 

NANOPROTECH Waterproofing for Electronics

 

I think I'll get some and spray my toaster just incase the missis gets any strange ideas when I'm taking a relaxing bath

 

Better get the hair dryer too.

 

I really like the nanoprotect stuff. I could see using that on a customer build who needed something like that. After reading up on it... It is a mineral oil base. It needs to be sprayed on, let it penetrate and then let it "dry." Wipe off excess and get back to it. at $30/3oz... It's expensive but I would imagine, worth it.

I assume everyone has seen the YouTube video of the guy putting his CF-29 with the port covers closed into a sink full of water that went half way up his screen. Then he started typing on the keyboard. I imagine a video doing that... THEN opening the port covers. What a great selling point for some.

Another tool in the drawer!

 

I was thinking the same thing....