Putting Mindstorms on distilled water

[Rono]

I'm planning a water Mindstorm project, the tires give it the flotation it needs but I'm concerned about water entering the NXT and engines and messing it all. So I want to know what would happen if I put it on distilled water (as it's supposed it doesn't conduct electricity) before testing it on a real situation? Or on the other hand, if it doesn't matter if you put NXT on normal water.

Thanks.

[JopieK]

Well, it might survive in normal water but of course as the water becomes more dirty (less H2O) there will be more particles that will conduct electricity... and after a while shorts will occur. In distilled water the chance is smaller of course! But you better seal the electronics. There are people that have done that before.

[Phoxtane]

There are a few custom-built computers where the components are completely submerged in mineral oil for cooling. It doesn't conduct electricity at all.

You're probably better off sealing the sensitive components, since it would be much cheaper!

[Rono]

Thanks, but I need to try it on water, as oil is thicker than water. So, how can I seal it? Because I thought of plastic bags but I don't think it could fit and still do something (I mean, the engines).

[ciken]

Thanks, but I need to try it on water, as oil is thicker than water. So, how can I seal it? Because I thought of plastic bags but I don't think it could fit and still do something (I mean, the engines).

google : how to make rc waterproof

[Nazgarot]

There is something called plastidip. It's very popular for use on RC, and works quite well. You will how ever have to open every component and waterproof the electronics inside.

-ED-

Edited August 3, 2012 by Nazgarot

[Rono]

Guess I'll look at that plasti dip thing, thank you!

[KEvron]

I thought of plastic bags

have you considered using a lego water bottle (47073 and 47074)?

KEvron

[Lasse D]

Distilled water is very risky to use as even a very small contaminant makes the water conductive. You would have to make sure no dust came inside, including anything from inside the NXT brick. I prefer simply coating the electronics in silicone or similar and use water proof connections (electronic stores carry these in various forms).

[Rono]

Well, is cold, bottled silicon a good coating for a system like this?

[sqiddster]

It has been proven that PF motors are waterproof to a certain extent. I'm not sure about NXT motors but I tend to doubt it.

You might want to have a look at this, I saw it on the NXT step:

[Rono]

Interesting, too bad I can't find PF motors right now and I have to present this project on a couple of weeks, but I can't try it due to the water concerns.

[Rook]

First thing that popped in to my mind was the guy that put the NXT stuff in the raw chicken in the frig. I would assume that there would be ways of protecting the model as someone else has pointed out above.