Remote Central Locking Circuit Board Making Waterproof?

[yorkshirekowboy 19 1 Cars]

Hello, I'm sure I have read some where on here, that one of the main causes of a fire is down to the sunroof area leaking water and causing the remote central locking pcb board to cause a fire?

 

If this is the case, obviously apart from fixing the leak which I would think would be down to sunroof handle seals, and the aerial base?, maybe making some sort of cover which covers the exposed pcb board would cure this which is a "just in case" mod? Anybody thought or done this?

[jackherer 543]

I've been meaning to do something about this problem for a while. I think a dedicated fuse is the best bet, I plan on measuring the current draw of the receiver (which I expect to be very small) then choosing a fuse accordingly. If the fuse is small enough fire becomes impossible.

[yorkshirekowboy 19 1 Cars]

That's a good idea. I'm having to disconnect my battery everytime just in case which is crazy. I would have thought some sort of cover would be a good idea also, like a big bit of heatshink, shrunk around but then it wouldn't go back in the housing I don't think. Hmmm ????

[welshpug 1,657]

its the aerial not the sunroof handle that causes it, just a bit of sealant under ht base will fix it.

 

fixed the same issue on a 2008 citroen C1 recently, it was blowing the radio and interior lighting fuse.

Edited February 12, 2017 by welshpug

[jackherer 543]

It's true, mine hasn't even got a sunroof and it still leaked even with a brand new genuine Peugeot aerial base!

[yorkshirekowboy 19 1 Cars]

So really making a cover to go over it is a waste of time? I just think it should have been a sealed unit or at least a screwed unit.

[Ryan 99]

I've been meaning to do something about this problem for a while. I think a dedicated fuse is the best bet, I plan on measuring the current draw of the receiver (which I expect to be very small) then choosing a fuse accordingly. If the fuse is small enough fire becomes impossible.

 

I measured 5mA (0.05 amps) when the receive is idle. It will go up when a signal is received, but probably not by much.

Edited February 12, 2017 by Ryan

[jackherer 543]

You certainly wont do any harm with a cover, a deflector panel might even be enough.

 

Ryan, that's great info, thanks. The peak during operation should be brief enough to not blow even a tiny fuse.

[yorkshirekowboy 19 1 Cars]

Sorry what do you mean by a deflector panel?

[jackherer 543]

Just some sort of plate over the receiver for any water to run across so it goes around the receiver rather than into it.

[acox99 74 1 Cars]

I've put a bag over mine and waterproofed around the wires with an elastic band to tie it and used a glue gun to seal it. It doesn't effect it and water cannot get in to it.

[Anthony 1,003]

I've put a bag over mine and waterproofed around the wires with an elastic band to tie it and used a glue gun to seal it. It doesn't effect it and water cannot get in to it.

That's pretty much what I did with mine a few years back - somewhat crude, but does a good enough job of preventing any water ingress should the aerial leak.

[yorkshirekowboy 19 1 Cars]

I presume the bag is clear? I would have though it would affect the IR as they are not the best anyhow. Good idea though and think its the route I'll go down. ????

[Anthony 1,003]

Yes, clear. Could always poke the IR receivers out of a hole in the bottom of the bag as that'll still be fine to prevent water ingress from above.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Just varnish the PCB, it's common place in the MOD as I've done it for them,