Sony hdr hc1 video camera and moisture

[Chris Strahan]

Question on my Sony video camera (HDR HC1)

I am getting a moisture sensor alert that there is moisture inside the unit. This seems to be an on going issue with some of Sony's cameras and I was wondering if any of you have had this issue and what was your fix?

I have been reading on forums about how some put it in plastic bags with moisture absorbing packets to bring out the moisture. Others have you literally smack the bottom of the camera (which indeed does "reset" this sensor briefly.

Since the camera is out of warranty now, I am really trying to avoid sending it off to Sony as I have heard it is a very costly repair.

So, anyone have any good ideas or fixes for this?

Thanks in advance

 

[Skip Talbot]

If its a faulty sensor I would just ignore it. It doesn't interrupt your recording does it? I wouldn't smack the bottom of the camera either, that just sounds like you're asking to break it. If there is indeed some moisture in there, sealing the camera in a bag with some desiccant should definitely help. Are you using the camera in conditions where you'd expect this sensor to be tripped (ie in the rain, overnight as water is condensing)? I also have a Sony and haven't had any issues with moisture. My camera is even mounted in an enclosure on the roof of my car. I don't leave it up there overnight though.

 

[Jason Foster]

"Nothing a chainsaw can't fix" as my buddy says.

The bag with the moisture packets does work, heard of that a few times from various folks. Also, (this goes for anybody) just be conscious of the environment you use the camera. Running high A/C in the car, after popping out of the car on a chase where the temps are high...then getting back in to the cold air ut oh...foggy lens and additional moisture in the camera.

 

[Chris Strahan]

I do / have used the plastic bag and moisture packets, and it does seem to work if I leave it in for an extended period of time (days).
Skip.... yes, if the moisture sensor is tripped, the camera is useless. No recording, nothing, it shuts off after a minute I think.
The camera has been indoors now for quite some time, and the camera just started doing this a couple of months ago. Of course I don't use it too terribly much in the off season, but it is my primary "streaming" camera and I can just see how this could drastically effect it's usage for chasing. I cannot depend on it if it give me some kind of moisture alert the morning of a chase. I'd be screwed.

I thank you all for your input.

 

[cedwards]

In humid environments you may get this often if you bring the camera out from an air-conditioned room. I have used a hair dryer before and it helps. It still takes a little while for the sensor to reset. To minimise the problem, when bringing it in a warm-humid environment from one that is colder, place it in a zip-loc bag and keep it in the bag until the temperature balances out.

 

[Chris Strahan]

Any other thoughts? Moisture packets in a week have done nothing in an enclosed bag with little air in the bag. This has just started to happen in the last month or so, which makes me worried that the sensor is indeed bad.

 

[Jason Foster]

Any other thoughts? Moisture packets in a week have done nothing in an enclosed bag with little air in the bag. This has just started to happen in the last month or so, which makes me worried that the sensor is indeed bad.

It may be bad, if you are keeping it in a dry situation and have the warning still going off. I think the next question (or help from the various folks here) is to look at the best way to fix it. Whether it be sending to Sony or another outlet, others may have a suggestion there.

 

[Chris Strahan]

WTH?
I posted my solution to this issue last night with pictures. Did the board crash or posts get deleted? Odd!

Anyway, I found the solution by searching on the correct terms.
First it is a dew sensor.
If you look at the pictures, there is an orange with black stripe sensor in the left hand side of the picture. Cleaned that off with a q tip and presto! issue solved!

 

[Jason Foster]

Chris, good man. Sometimes due diligence pays off. It is also very beneficial to anyone who encounters this issue in the future.