Hardware "Trashed" 3DS, what should I keep?

[AyanamiRei]

Hello, just a stupid question now that my last 3DS, a n3DS, is dead (this time, finally thanks to me! I placed it in some stupid place and it went into a vinegar bowl after someone barged into the room to help me) It was all soaky and liquid still seems inside. (I was unable to do more than removing lid then battery after it died out)

Can I just "drop it in the bin" (I know waste sorting, it's just an image) or should I keep some things from it? (it was one year old, only a bit of dust and nothing seemed used)


edit: while I'm here, should I buy a specific n3DS model/Serial number in order to install a9lh or a CFW+emulated NAND or anything will work now because of the recently released sound program exploit?

 

[InstaSauce]

Part it out? Buttons, rubber squares, housing, glass, etc. or even sell on eBay stating what happened and sell as is. I repair 3DS' locally and always on the lookout for components.

As to your second question, anything will work now.

 

[AyanamiRei]

@InstaSauce Thank you, I don't want to take advantage of you but have you an idea of the price I should put it at if I come to sell it (be it on the Internet or elsewhere)?

 

[souler92]

i think a broken n3ds resale value is 70 topsss, better rip open the whole thing and clean everything up. in the hop it works again

 

[AyanamiRei]

@souler92
It was soaked in something acid (vinegar) and was full of liquid (still some inside, impossible to remove thanks to the screws under the cover). How could it be used again? (I thought it was useless to dream)


@souler92 For that, I would have to purchase precision tools. I have nothing to go further than what I already did. ^^" (I'll look into it and will check the price)

 

[souler92]

if the device wasnt turned on you may have some luck....

unscrew everything ofcourse to open it up. look on youtube how to open an 3ds.

its broke now, so why not give it a shot?

 

[InstaSauce]

I see them typically $50-100 depending on what's wrong.

Look at ifixit for a 3DS teardown.
Definitely make sure it's completely dry before attempting to turn it back on.

 

[AyanamiRei]

@InstaSauce So, it should give me back what I have to give up for the toolset. It isn't very interesting in itself.

 

[Yepi69]

Open it up and clean it with isopropyl alcohol. Hopefully if you haven't turned it on, it might still work.

If not, just sell the console and mentioned that its broken due to liquids.

 

[invaderyoyo]

@InstaSauce So, it should give me back what I have to give up for the toolset. It isn't very interesting in itself.

You only need a #00 screwdriver and something flat thing to pry. The screwdriver's super cheap.

 

[InstaSauce]

You only need a #00 screwdriver and something flat thing to pry. The screwdriver's super cheap.

Correct, yes you don't need all the tools listed. #00 screwdriver and a good pair of tweezers are also helpful.

The ifixit link was more for the teardown steps rather than the tools needed.

 

[AyanamiRei]

@InstaSauce @invaderyoyo Currently browsing some mail order websites, I found several screwdrivers branded "Phillips number 00", some for macbook. This is the same thing, right?


(really sorry to bother you)

 

[stomp_442]

Have you let it dry out? I had a cell phone that dropped into a bucket of water and a few years later I found it and it turned on and worked normally.

 

[Deleted-351540]

Open it up and clean it with isopropyl alcohol. Hopefully if you haven't turned it on, it might still work.

Basically this. If it wasn't turned on when it went into the vinegar and it hasn't been turned on since, I would soak it in 90% Isopropyl Alcohol and then soak it in distilled water. Alcohol will evaporate quickly after cleaning, but it sometimes leaves a residue. Distilled water (can be purchased at any local grocery store near the baby formula) has no minerals in it and will clean the remaining residue left from the alcohol. Just be sure to let it dry COMPLETELY (rice or dessicant packs help this along) before you attempt to turn it on.

I've saved many electronic devices that were soaked in worse than vinegar this way.

 

[AyanamiRei]

@SickPuppy There was no game card in it when it "drinked". I have it currently near a heater (of course not on it) but it still drops drops when I check it. Seems like it went well inside.

@bobdamnit @Yepi69 In France, we have to specifically order this kind of chemical product. (drugstors/pharmacies sell thyl alcohol instead)


PS: I am not doing my best to counter any recommendation. It is actually making me sick to see that there might be solutions. ^^"

 

[stomp_442]

I didn't expect my old phone to power on I fully expected it to be fried because it was on when it fell in the water, but I guess a few years was enough time for it to dry out. If you were got to try to power it on anytime soon I would take it apart first and clean it like was mentioned in post #9

 

[invaderyoyo]

@InstaSauce @invaderyoyo Currently browsing some mail order websites, I found several screwdrivers branded "Phillips number 00", some for macbook. This is the same thing, right?


(really sorry to bother you)

Yeah, that's fine. Phillips isn't the brand, it means it's for screws with the cross on their head.

 

[Deleted-351540]

@SickPuppy There was no game card in it when it "drinked". I have it currently near a heater (of course not on it) but it still drops drops when I check it. Seems like it went well inside.

@bobdamnit @Yepi69 In France, we have to specifically order this kind of chemical product. (drugstors/pharmacies sell thyl alcohol instead)


PS: I am not doing my best to counter any recommendation. It is actually making me sick to see that there might be solutions. ^^"

Ethyl alcohol will work also, just definitely be sure to clean it afterwords with distilled water because ethyl alcohol will definitely leave a residue you want to remove. If you happen to have access to it, electronic contact cleaner will also work great to clean the vinegar off.

Contact cleaner: https://www.amazon.com/CRC-05101-QD-Electronic-Cleaner/dp/B000CCMLD0

Edit: If you can get the contact cleaner, this would probably be best. It comes compressed and has a straw tube that allows you to force the stuff into the nooks and crannies of the 3DS. You may not have to fully disassemble the console if you use this. It is also mostly (but be sure to double check!) plastic safe, so it shouldn't damage the plastic assemblies.

Second Edit: On second thought, you may want to be very quick with an ethyl alcohol wash. It may damage plastic. I know for sure it eats C/PVC, but I'm not sure about PTFE or HDPE.

Last edit: As always, be sure to let the unit dry COMPLETELY before attempting to insert the battery or turn the device on!

 

[zombigrn]

You can always send it to me if u dont want it lol
But try out what everyone says. Clean it up really good. I have a feeling you can get it working again with enough patience

 

[AyanamiRei]

Thanks for all the given help/support.

Looks like it's toasted: upon receiving the needed tool, I opened it a bit in order to check remaining fluids after "washing" it like advised then when everything seemed in order I turned it on and after an oscillating ON LED appeared followed by the others (Wifi), a green light came and everything went off. (all this while the screen showed what I took for blurry white lines before becoming fully black again)

Time to take advantage of the post-christmas prices... -_-" (I bought a DC long after its production stopped and am looking for a modulable SFC/SNS but I never thought I would do the same for the 3DS, with its heir release in only a few weaks)

PS: zut, totally forgot the Switch's conference by the way.