I just purchased the CTX 3030 and the dealer that I purchased it from mentioned that he has had two CTX's leak in the battery compartment and had to send them to Minelab to get them repaired.
Have any of you had this problem?
Would making sure that the area around the rubber seal is clean before putting on the battery pack solve this problem. Some have mentioned putting swimming pool silicone on the rubber seal would help, any comments.
Bill
http://www.minelab.com/emea/customer...article=109061Originally Posted by detectordude
I have had this problem, but have resolved the problem adopting the advice from the link above.
If you detect in water, keep an eye on river deposit building up on the outside edge of the seal, which eventually undermines the seal.
If this happens, clean using fresh water and a soft tooth brush, before refitting a cleaned seal.
i use my detector submerged in the sea 3 or 4 times a week and have no problems with the seal.
I have spread a thin layer of silicon grease in the grove and above the red washer.
Each time I charge the battery (once a week) I clean and re apply grease.
I really dont understand why anyone would want to use silicone sealant on there detector?if something isn't working the way it should just send it back to the place you bought it from,if you start messing with the detector yourself surely your warranty will become null and void wont it??
Putting silicon grease is not messing around with detector.
Its preventative maintenance.
On the excalibur minelab state in manual to put silicon grease on certain parts to aid waterproofing and I also had email from minelab about the red washer and to use a small amount of grease.
soft parts like seals "o" rings its good practice to use a grease - thye silicon grease sounds the biz for this application, there will be temperature ranges though i would say a standard silicone grease is more than good enough.
It will help in a multiple of ways 1. assist the sealing and watertightness. 2.prevent the seal from drying out and perishing - lengthining its life.
that been said my advice would be to order half a dozen spares - over time they will flatten and the seal will be lost - keep the simple things like this in tip-top condition and it will help prevent more costly things going wrong later.
Could not have put it better myself.
I am currently using servisol silicon grease, its thick when it comes out of tube but does tend to run a bit when it gets warm even with a light coating. A friend has some diving silicon grease (dont know brand) which does not run and stays thick, he has tub of it to give me next week so will give that a go.
The grease also helps the washer stay in place in its groove.
I cannot remember using an O-ring of any size without a trace of silicone grease being recommended. The ordinary plumbing grade seems to be fine, if you apply in small amounts it doesn't seem to become runny, maybe the "sub-aqua" variety might be better - and probably dearer! As someone else has remarked, it also helps to retain an O-ring when you take the fitting apart.
A few moments is all it takes to apply the stuff - compare that with the time to pack and send the machine off and to wait for its return - not to mention the cost involved!
I don't have a CTX yet so I'm speaking as an expert.
Barrie.
i take it when you say silicone grease you mean something that remains soft,to be honest i was thinking about the stuff that sets hardthis is what the minelab engineers suggest doing(taken from gordons link above)
Remove the o-ring (with a soft tool).
Gently brush or wipe out the o-ring groove and battery mating face (ensuring damage to the surfaces is avoided).
Wipe over the o-ring (use a clean, moistened cloth).
Visually inspect the areas to ensure all sand, grit or other contaminants have been removed.
Refit the o-ring ensuring that it is seated at the bottom of the groove, is not twisted and ensure the corners are aligned - as shown below.
Fit the battery to the detector.
Ensure the battery clips are fully closed.
Damaged o-rings or batteries must be replaced prior to submersing your detector.
why do we need minelab engineers when we have you eh kyle!just found out on the internet that if you are using this grease you will have to reapply each time you change the battery to remove any sand or grit that has stuck to the grease and o ring.
Last edited by jon_jn; 30-10-2012 at 01:03 PM.
I use the silicone grease that divers use on all the O rings within their breathing apparatus. I got it at a dive shot so it's purpose made.
Keeping the area clean is also just as important. It's not just the CTX, I also have to use silicon grease on my CZ21's O ring to keep the battery compartment bone dry.
Dave
No its not the stuff you use on windows etc.
this is grease, looks like Vaseline (but NEVER use vaseline as it rots rubber).
Silicon grease preserves the rubber and aids in sealing.
Grit does not stick very much to the grease and as I said I am submerging my detector in the sea 3 or 4 times a week so lots of sand around.
A quick wipe with tissue and a smear of new grease, takes 30 seconds every week to do this.
Keep the o ring clean is the most important issue. Unless you are going in the water I would not use any grease as it just attracts muck and grit.
As I use mine in the water I use a good grade divers grease. I also ensure that when you charge the battery to clean the o ring as well and regrease. Dont just leave the old grease on as it may have picked up a bit of grit.
Slàinte,
Mal
Slàinte mhor a h-uile là a chi 's nach fhaic
Chan eil aon chànan gu lẹr
only trying to help jon - i am a gas engineer - so mechanical principles apply.
i'll go away if you are trying to drop a hint jon - dont quite know how to take what you are saying mate.
We mean silicone grease NOT silicone sealer!!!
Don't believe everything you find on the internet! You should wipe the area clean of muck anyway - it's just basic maintenance.
Barrie.
dont you go shaking your bible at me barrie or i will put it where the sun dont shine!
ark at her
I do a lot of scuba diving and use underwater video and camera equipment on a regular basis.
Using a silicone grease on all o rings is the norm and I have never had a leak yet at depths down to 50m
It is imperative that all o rings are cleaned and seat are clean and dry before applying the grease to ensure no sand or grit is trapped.
This is the one I use specially formulated for camera housing use.
http://www.watersportswarehouse.co.u...edium=Merchant
http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/housing-care
Promises, promises!dont you go shaking your bible at me barrie or i will put it where the sun dont shine!
you can lead a horse to the trough - but you cant make it drink eh jon
I emailed Minelab about something else and asked about being able to buy an extra seal for the battery compartment and he responded that they were not available yet but would be.
Bill
I tried to buy a couple from my dealer but he is pretty useless on spares so i contact minelab and they sent me one.
A HA that is good to know. You would have thought that this Minelab guy would have known that they were available. LOL
As most of you already assumed you can use the silicone grease on the battery compartment without voiding the warranty. I asked Minelab and their response was that it will not void the warranty.
Bill
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