Dumb question: spilled water on my calculator, should I buy a new one?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve got a test coming up and have to have this particular model of (expensive) calculator. Like a moron, I dumped almost an entire glass of water on it yesterday. It seemed fine at first, but a bit later the numbers looked like they were fading out and I could barely see the display. I tried taking the battery out and putting it back in, and it went into “reset” mode, after which it seems to be working fine.

But if it suddenly craps out on me during the test in two weeks time, I will be very much screwed. I know the safe thing would be to buy another calculator, but I’m wondering if it’s necessary if I don’t seen any other problems in the intervening time. Any thoughts?

2

Obvious question: do you know anyone who has a calculator they’d let you borrow as a backup?

3

I suggest that you rinse the calculator with distilled water, and then let it to thoroughly dry out. Leave it in a warm sunny spot, with no batteries installed, for a few days. That should do the trick.

It should work fine after that.

4

I could borrow a cheaper model approved calculator, but I really like my expensive one and am used to its action. I’m also not sure if I’d be allowed to leave the exam room to go and retrieve a backup calculator.

5

I remember hearing about burying a wet electronic device in rice for a few days. Ah! Here is the YouTube.

6

Start by rinsing with distilled water, then shake it out as dry as you can, then do the rice thing.

7

Really with the distilled water? I thought you guys were just pulling my leg.

In any case, it seems to be working normally today; if after a week the calculator still seems OK, do you think I might be safe?

Appreciate all the replies!

8

if you only dumped water on it then putting more water on it will only make it wetter.

always good to immediately remove batteries and don’t try to use it again for a few days.

after a few days, battery in and turn on, try using all the buttons and see if there is the correct response. use it for a bunch of hours with plenty of time to buy or borrow a replacement. if you get a different model then thoroughly learn how to use it.

9

Yes, really with the distilled water. Water itself isn’t actually very bad for electronics-- The problem is the trace impurities in it, which can promote corrosion or short things out. A first pass rinse in distilled water will remove those impurities. Of course, even pure water isn’t completely harmless, so you then want to follow up with the shaking and the rice.

Note that this must be actual distilled water (also sometimes called deionized water), not just any old bottled water. Much bottled water is just straight from the tap, and sometimes they deliberately add their own impurities.

10

Water can be bad if there are partially sealed areas. Water can get into a display and not come out easily, for instance.

11

Reported

12

How are the return policies in your area?