Dew Message problem with Sharp VL-Z series (1,3,5,7) camcorder

[Alan Taplow]

Go to: http://ataplow.googlepages.com/sharp-dew-problem
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Sharp DEW Problem

Many VL-Z series (1,3,5,7) cameras show a DEW message and shut down
even when there is no excess moisture - Sharp's recommendations don't
work and the camera is useless till repaired. Commercial repairs are
expensive and often more than a new camera would cost.

Over the past few years, I've had 545 people contact me for a fix to the problem. Here is a place for people to let others know their experience with this problem.

Some have suggested a class action suit - What do you think?

[Philip Rivers]

Here's another "Thank You Alan" post:)

Re-soldering my connections seems to have solved my problem. I am concerned that it may be only a temporary fix though. Has anybody else had luck with running a bead of solder between the posts and bypassing the sensor completely?

[hugorubio]

Hi all,
I was to tired of it that I personally reflowed two weeks ago the solder joints, briefly as recommended. So far it looks like working......

[Eduardo Kim]

Hi, Mr Alan. Never saw ur picture before... glad to meet u sire. ^^

I had the DEW problem in September/05, after the event of my first child birth. Thanks God it was functional on that crucial moment of my family.

After the problem appearance I just put a little piece of magnet next to the "DEW sensor" for a couple of seconds (it was just an idea, I don't know how it come to my mind since I'm totally ignorant on engineering) and what a surprise!!! IT WORKED!!! (at least it seems so). Since that "miracle" I never had the same issue again with my camcorder.

About the tape and firewire issue... sorry... never happened to me.

Regards
Eduardo Kim

PD: Law suit? Uhm... kinda hard to make it happen since this problem have been there for so long time. Evidences are already cold... I think.

[mike]

I can't believe it! The magnet worked. At least for now. Re-melting the solder connections worked for awhile for me, but lately I've had to re-solder them every time I wanted to use the camera. I just did the magnet thing; don't know how long the fix will last. I do think the magnet might damage other parts of the camera, so if anyone can identify parts to try to keep the magnet away from, that would be useful.
Thanks!

[Arpan]

Whether in hot or cold condition, my camera has stopped working altogether. Everytime I switch on, the DEW problem comes and the camera shuts down. I have tried the "dry solder" solution of the dew sensor. I failed in my efforts.
I've bought a new cheap Panasonic camera for better, headache free and trusted performance every time I switch on.

[man.in.black]

Taking the battery out worked for me, but only for a while. I had to resort to the soldering iron, which also worked for a while. When the problem came back I shorted the sensor out with a little more solder, and its worked ever since, 2 years or so.

Thanks, Alan.

[amsterdam]

even without a tape inside the camera the dew light indicator always came on and shut the camera down. I couldnt even use the firewire cable to make a direct recording bypassing the need for a tape because the auto shut down happened every time

[Yvonne Negron]

I purchased my sharp cam in '04 and it failed within 2 yrs at my son's kindergarten graduation. I was bummed. Haven't used it since.
I ended up buying a JVC this past Christmas '07.

Class action suit? Sounds right on!
I'm tired of spending my hard earned money on expensive cameras, phones, vcrs, printers that last less than 2 yrs.
Just had to replace a water dispenser in my office after 2 yrs of use.
It's not just the money. Think about our landfills!!!!
Make something to last longer or at least easy to fix!
like Maytag!!!!

[Olivia]

Hi Alan. I Just found this site today and I am glad that I'm not the only person experiencing this problem. I've read through your recommendation(s) involving soldering, but I'm not sure I'm confident enough to fix this on my own. I will try to find someone who repairs T.V.'s, etc and see if they can do it for me. I really can't afford a new camcorder as this one was a gift to me (brand new). Someone mentioned a class action lawsuit. Over 500 people can't be wrong. Sharp really should replace and or repair these defective camcorders, but then maybe that's why people don't/won't buy their products!

[Alan Taplow]

Try a few of the other possible fixes first:

1. A couple of people reported that they were not secure about taking
a soldering iron to their camera, so just poked the contacts with an
ice pick or screw driver, and it began working again. Try this when
you are away from home and suddenly the DEW Message comes on. Remove
the batteries, poke the contacts, & reinsert the batteries.

2. Sometimes just removing the small CR1216 battery which keeps the
time display, will get it working again, though most report it only
works for a little while. When you remove the main battery, this
little battery is located under a small plastic slide at the upper
right of the compartment.

3. One person reported that out of desperation he put the camera in
the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours and that it began working again. My
experience is that there is a better connection when the camera is
cold than on hot days, however this too, is probably not a permanent fix.

4. Another said: I wrapped aluminum foil around the contacts in order
to lower the resistance and it worked. Accomplishing the same thing,
another person said, "Just run a bead of solder between the contacts
and essentially cut the dew sensor out. Worked on my camera." I
haven't tried either of these myself, so would appreciate feedback
from those who have found it successful.

5. Another person reported cleaning the contacts with a cotton swab
soaked with alcohol (mineral spirits) , got his camera working again.

6. Just recently on our new forum, someone had success placing a
small magnet near the dew sensor for a minute or so, and another
reported it worked for him as well.

You may want to try some of these other reported fixes, however
re-melting the solder joints is more likely 'the long term fix.'

Peace,
Alan
[e-mail]

[Philip Rivers]

I tried the solder remelting thing and it worked for just a few weeks. I ran a bead of solder right across the dew sensor and it worked for a few months. I just got the dew message again (in dry conditions). Looks like I'm going to try the magnet thing.