OT - Cell phone experts? Help needed...

[Hobie]

Wife's phone got a bit of a damp/soaknot actually wet inside (it appears) but it wouldn't turn off and then the battery was gone. Now can't charge it. Is it likely that I can simply replace the battery or will I need a new phone?

We use Tracfone, pay as you go, and hers gets better reception than mine, more bars more places so the next question is. If I must replace the phone, which model gets the most bars most places?

[Kansas Ed]

Hobie,
This article doesn't offer much promise at this juncture as it says to do it immediately...but it's good informational material for your situation.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technol ... 69047.html

My wife, son, and I have all had Motorola phones...and have all had different versions of the RAZR. They seem to be the best of the brands so far of what we've had.

Ed

[deerwhacker444]

I'd take the phone apart as much as I could and let it dry, maybe hit it with some compressed air, and hope for the best.

Search the net for batteries. You can usually find the battery you need a heck of a lot cheaper than going to the manufacturer.

[GonnePhishin]

Hobie,

Try CNET.com for more in depth information on which phones to buy AND radiation levels of phones. IMO the radiation levels are important since every time you put one to your head, its irradiating your brain, so it would be best to pick a phone with a lower radiation level (SAR).

[madman4570]

Hobie.
Usually,If the phone was powered up while being exposed to mid/high moisture(got wet)not good! Usually if the phone is ON and the moisture(condensation gets inside a short out of an electrical component occurs.They puposely have this setup this way)Example would be the batterly arched the +/- VDC and wham! Me,I would if you have already opened it up which sounds like you have, remove battery(set aside)clean phone contacts and any residue with a Qtip(and maybe some alcohol)without battery installed then I would place the battery by itself and the phone with the cover installed back without battery both in a closed glass jar(canning jar etc.)of new dry kitty litter for 2-3 days.Remove both blow/clean off with cool air, not hot hair dryer, and retry.If nothing chances are that the phone has a blown circut! What make/model phone is it and does the battery have a mfg/model # ( you can meter the battery for correct voltage spec etc.)Proceed with caution at your own risk pal---Good Luck!
P.S. Most Cell phones have special overload circutry installed.They do this because of possible over charging/heat/fire risk.Usually its more than the battery when any with the +/- VDC surges! However each phone/mfg is different, and it may/may not have this.

As for the phone to have?? For us, Verizon had a family plan that worked out best for us.I have the orange Mil-Spec Casio Boulder.Has a electronic compass/gps in case I get lost?? http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/first- ... gged-phone

[OI phones in...]

All good things to try, but since it is a Tracfone, if none of that works, DON'T buy a new battery. Since you liked it, just find the same model at some store and buy it. Cash price shouldn't be much more than a new battery.

Pull the SIM card out of the old phone & put it in the new one... you should be good to go.

[Hobie]

Hobie,
This article doesn't offer much promise at this juncture as it says to do it immediately...but it's good informational material for your situation.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technol ... 69047.html

My wife, son, and I have all had Motorola phones...and have all had different versions of the RAZR. They seem to be the best of the brands so far of what we've had.

Ed

Yep, thanks. Salt water to boot...

[Hobie]

All good things to try, but since it is a Tracfone, if none of that works, DON'T buy a new battery. Since you liked it, just find the same model at some store and buy it. Cash price shouldn't be much more than a new battery.

Pull the SIM card out of the old phone & put it in the new one... you should be good to go.

Thanks OI. Now to find a phone...

[pokey]

around here there are several stores selling used cell phones.
around 40.00 for a motorola razr. probly the best maker.
and, yup, just swap out the sim card and away you go.

[Ysabel Kid]

Hobie, Mrs. YK has used a Tracfone for years. She is on her 2nd or third model. Pretty simple process. I'd go with OI's advice. Good luck!

[jimc]

FWIW, we're Tracfone users and my son jumped in the pool earlier this summer with his phone (old Nokia 1100) in his pocket. I pull the battery and SIM card out and let them try a couple of days. When I put them back together it all worked fine.

If that does not work out for you, I have very good reception with both the Samsung slider (T301g) and and Motorola W376g with a very slight edge to the Samsung (it doesn't show as many bars as the Motorola, but the signal is actually stronger). If you go the Samsung route, be sure and turn on the HAC switch--I don't wear hearing aids, but it sure makes a difference with "shooter's" (along with jet engines and heavy equipment) ears. FWIW, the Motorola actually better sound, but you do give up a little signal strength with it, so it's pretty much a wash. I really like the slider over the flip though.

Depending all your usage (over 150 minutes/month), Net10 might be a better deal--they are Tracfone (same coverage) with a slightly different billing scheme (ten cents a minute without having to mess with double minute cards and promo codes).