How to waterproof iPod shuffle?

I'd stay away from epoxy since it may be a PITA to remove it if you have to. How about using something like the wax around Babybel Cheese. "The wax that we use for the coating of this product is made up of an appropriate mix of paraffin wax and micro crystalline. There is no Bisphenol A in the wax" or just use a waterproof enclosure like offered here http://www.okwenclosures.com/enclosures/... then you only have to content with one slot you may need to create for the USB cable. Just my 2 cents....good luck and stay dry :-)

Turns out it is easy to waterproof a music player for a day or even a week but it is really challenging to get it to last. I toasted more shuffle's than I care to admit with what I thought would be a waterproof solution. I finally got this one that is rock solid.

underwateraudio.com

I love it.

I've been meaning to post an update here for ages... I did a relatively simple waterproofing job on the shuffle about four months ago. I use it to go swimming five times a week. I swim 1,000 metres each time and use the shuffle every time, both in the shower before and after the swim and - most importantly - during the swim! It's submerged fully for probably 2/3 of the time that I'm swimming and has so far lasted through roughly 100 swims, 100 kilometres in water and is still going strong.

My simple method taken from here: injected with dielectric silicone grease through the headphone socket. I did this over a few days - I kept going back after a few hours and trying to force a bit more grease in to make sure all the air inside had been displaced. When grease started to ooze through the controls (which become rather stiff) I stopped.

I then sealed the seam on the back of the shuffle with a layer of epoxy. Initially I was a bit paranoid about the switches on the side leaking, and the seal on the front round the buttons and would cover them in grease before a swim and wipe off the excess. This became a pain in the ass, and as the shuffle exceeded my expectations and kept working, I stopped.

Now, I only "top up" the grease after I charge the shuffle, which is about once a week, or more if I'm adding / removing files. Sometimes I forget. It just keeps working! In fact... I waterproofed it in the first place because I thought I'd lost my expensively waterproofed WaterFi shuffle. The Waterfi turned up a week after I'd done my DIY job - and I'm still yet to use it again! My DIY one is actually more reliable - the buttons work better for a start. The WaterFi kept pausing over and over again - I assume because the button was permanently sticky.

Anyway - to anyone still looking for a cheap, small, waterproof mp3 player... and if you can still get hold of a shuffle - the grease cost five bucks.

After destroying three iPods, I finally gave up and purchased a waterproof iPod shuffle from Audioflood.com. Best investment I've ever made!

I waterproofed mine almost two years ago, I took it apart and covered all the components with silicone aquarium sealant. Two years later, and it still works. Granted I don't use it all the time but lately I've been using it twice a week. I have no sealant or anything on the outside, just everything gooped up on the inside. Works great!

It takes a good hour and some patience to do this right, so I understand why the companies charge what they do. Also, removing the back of the shuffle is hard to do with out bending it, it can be done with no tools, just pull from the hinge side carefully. Make sure you seal around the round button assembly and move the switch back and forth a few times to ensure it works properly. Don't cover the electrical contacts on the buttons, cover around the headphone jack good, the ribbon cable closure, the IC, and the battery terminal. Lastly, make sure you let the silicone out gas for at least a week in a temperature controlled environment, i.e. indoors not a garage. You'll need small tools and a magnifying glass and good light. The syringe is a great idea, I actually just used a cardboard stick (from a q-tip).

Either Jeff works for Waterfi or he doesn't understand the character of this site....

Thanks Richard, Good rnd.

I did the same exact thing for the first iPod I waterproofed at waterfi in 2011. I also experienced alot of leaking issues as did our early customers. Most of the grease only ones I had to replace for customers.

I eventually started mixing 1 part silicone adhesive and 2 parts grease (I think!) to create a jelly like substance when cured. I had used the permatex brand. This slightly congealed substance won't leak out. It will make the buttons slightly stiffer than just grease, but you won't have to keep filling it up.

You could just put the mix in a skinny syringe and inject it. Dont use a fat one of it will be impossible. Also you have to inject it quick before it currently or it will be too viscous to get in there.

But make sure you poke alittle hole in the bottom of the headphone port first with a paper clip. But don't push too far or you could hit the battery. Lastly clamp the iPod together lightly so the bottons and back doesn't pop off and really over fill it until it's oozing out everywhere. This will help insure you have flushed out all the air.

I think that's mostly everything for that method. I injected my first few thousand ipods that way and they survived pretty well. I think it's the best simple solution.

We're pretty well done with this process so I'm happy to help some diyers if I can.

Hey! I was thinking about this only yesterday so I’m happy you found my old post! You'll be pleased to hear that I still use the shuffle almost daily but probably haven’t re-greased it for more than six months - so it’s been almost exactly a year and four months of almost daily immersion in chlorinated water for about 40 minutes (it’s clipped to my goggles, so it’s not constantly underwater, but I swim with my face down and come up for air…), then it’s rinsed off while I wear it in the shower.

The trade off is that the buttons don’t work so well as I’ve rammed the %#*@ thing full of grease, but they do ok - the main problem is the play / pause button which doesn’t really work at all, but I just use the on / off switch as I only ever listen to books and I’m in the pool to swim, not fiddle with buttons, right?! This week I noticed the volume button was getting easier to click and told myself to remember to put some more grease in it but I forgot…

To be honest I’m amazed it’s lasted this long, but I’m *very* pleased that it has - because as far as I’m aware, there *still* isn’t a decent waterproof mp3 product on the market. I’d be very happy to be shown otherwise! Good luck with your DIY job too!

I found this product on Amazon... Hope it helps.

http://www.amazon.com/H2O-Audio-INT4-BK-...

I am dealing with a similar issue... building a shuffle 4th gen into a hockey helmet. It doesn't need to be truly immersible but it needs to be protected from all the nasty things inside of my helmet.

How about applying 3M Scotchkote Electrical Coating on the logic board. Is any one have other ideas?

hey imported, how did you inject the grease through the headphone jack? I am planning on attempting this modification. Also, in your suggested improvements you suggested the conformal coating. Would you inject that with a syringe as well? And how would yo suggest cleaning it out of the headphone jack? Also, I don't quite understand you about the rubber mate? Sorry for the numerous questions. I just want to do this right! I think you are so right about these companies. What a rip off! BTW, how is your shuffle holding up?

Try using CorrosionX HD. We have been using it for years to waterproof RC model electronics subject to water, snow... HD proofs against the more aggressive saltwater.

Either aerosol or fluid, simply collect enough in a jar to soak the shuffle, remove and let dry for a day. Should work fine in the pool or ocean.

I like the added step of filling full of dielectric grease to give even more protection. The swimming application is a bit more dynamic than the occasional dunking of airplane electronics in a lake.

What about using a short headphone jack extension cable to be able to keep the connector constantly in the jack and sealed w/grease?

Imported,

I've tried your method on two different shuffles. Both failed... One within two days and the other three weeks later. It makes a mess and doesn't work long term. I wouldn't recommend it.

Just buy one on Waterfi.com or one of those sites that makes them. They are not that expensive!

There is a a diy kit to waterproof your iPod shuffle and earphones at http://nanostate.co/waterproof-ipod-shuf...

Waterproof iPod Shuffle 4th Generation DIY Technique

I think the best way is to just not waterproof it. It's just not fool proof and you could ruin your Ipod. there are ways to listen to music when there's water around I think you should find other ways.

Tara | http://www.smithyswaterproofing.com.au/c...

Hi you can also use Flash Flood by Nanostate Uk to fully waterproof your ipod shuffle it is the only DIY kit avail on the market using the very latest military nanotechnology and its easy to apply visit www.nanostate.co.uk

Team Nanostate

Underwater Audio has a much, much better history and quality of product than audioflood and other brands out there, in fact these other brands out there have been mimicking underwater audio's waterproofing processes and products. Why settle for copy cat cheaters, underwater audio is the real deal and they have blown me away with their loyalty and service to me as a customer, and their products are top shelf! From working out in the pool to snorkeling, underwater audio's waterproofed shuffle and swimbuds just impress me all the time, best purchase and investment ever!

One of our employees pointed out Neil's post to me. Neil is not an employee of Underwater Audio but like thousands of other delighted customers feels strongly about our waterproof iPod. I understand this forum is about DIY but listen to Neil. He is right. Way to speak out Neil, you tell'em. (PS. We have the best waterproof headphones too!)

http://www.underwateraudio.com

I have just used dielectric silicone grease that I thinned out to a honey-like consistency with a silicone water-proofing spray I bought from Academy sports called "Atsko Silicone water-guard". I used a syringe to flush it though the headphone jack for about 2 minutes while I rotated the nano to try and tease out all the air. It has worked really well for me.

I have a waterproofed iPod for swimming, and when it works it's absolutely fantastic. After swimming I always unplug the headphones from the headphone jack and thoroughly rinse all components fresh water, ensuring fresh water gets into the headphone jack. I do this by fully submerging it in a jar filled with fresh water, then rotating the whole jar several times.

Unfortunately it has stopped working, where I've had the unit replaced twice, where I'm now on my 3rd unit. When it was last working, it seemed to be some sort of problem with the headphone jack, because when I jiggled the headphone plug around a little, the music would start, but then shut off after a few seconds.

What "Imported" has mentioned here sounds like a really good idea:

How to waterproof iPod shuffle?

But I'm wondering how there might be some way to get the unit to start working again? Also, when I plug it into my Laptop via a USB Port, iTunes doesn't recognise the device (nor does my Laptop).

Are you able to replace the battery once the waterproofing procedure has been performed?

Royce Nicholas,

Does that compound structure break down overtime due to chlorine? I just got my hands on an old iPod shuffle I'm am an obsessive swimmer who has tried everything to listen to music sustainably and comfortably when swimming. I have one shot at this and I am completely willing to keep injecting grease periodically if that will keep it working. If you have any other ideas for longevity I would love to hear them.

Hey Richard,

I'd love to get more information from you on your process. Also what headphones do you use. Feel free to email me at swimrat_7@yahoo.ca

Hey! So I got everything ready for waterproofing my ipod but my silicon grease feels a bit too “stiff” to get injected in to that tiny headphone jack. Is that normal and I should try to pack it up or am I using a wrong thing? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! My email is wojnowskir@gmail.com