CTX - really h2O proof?

I took mine on a little hunt in the rain Sunday and found water inside of battery compartment this morning!
What gives?

Sounds obvious, but I noticed on mine that care needs to be taken when positioning the battery before closing the clamps, as the oring can be temperamental. Paranoia stemming from many years of wreck diving and electronic gear has taught me to be painfully observant of seals...
Also, some silicon grease, extreme light application, can keep the oring healthy and in place better. Ensure the correct lubricant is used in conjunction with type of oring though...I don't recall the type off hand. We always had to worry about high partial pressures of O2 in our mix and compatibility of grease used, but not the case using a Minelab in the rain.


Randy



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/07/2012 03:08PM by jrk.

Sad to hear. But your not the only one

Well I just used it in a little drizzling rain not making a U- boat out of it by any means.
Everything on the cover looked to be in place and intact.
I dried out the moisture with a Q- tip and don't believe it penetrated the other case but who knows it wasn't susspossed to get inside the battery cover either.
Rain is fresh water and ain't as bad as salt water but what if I had went to the beach?How long would battery contacts last exposed to salt water residue?
I've got a call in to minelab as I'm really concerned --- lots of $$$$ tied into this one!!!

JRK presents some good points and make sure you get the proper grease as some will damage the rubber....I have my doubts also just in the rain?...heck under water with pressure especially a salt water enviroment and the circuit board is gonzo...Heck my CZ6A which is certainly not Waterproof but weather resistant will take a good rainstorm with no problems. I would be on the horn yesterday with Minelab on this concern...

I havent had any issues w mine (yet) even after water hunting.

I have though talked in depth w my dealer and yes there is a problem w some CTX units leaking at the battery compartment. However.....I suggested the same thing regarding applying the same silcone that came w my Tiger Shark to the seal and he (Ralph from SunRay) said absolutely not! MineLab does NOT recommend putting anything on their seals unless told to and in some cases may even void a warranty!

A properly seated o-ring, clean, with clean mating surfaces, should work as advertised to rated depth (10 ft). Rinsing the detector with a garden hose or even a vigorous shower may expose the device to instantaneous peak pressures exceeding design limitations. That means don't "nuke it" when spraying/washing it down after use.
O2 compatability should never be an issue with any water detector. But Krytox is the O2 compatable lubricant used with Viton seals. Scuba, aviators O2, and LOX systems use them. Not relevant to metal detectors but just info regarding a prior post in this thread.
If ML says "no lube", then thats what they will warranty, if the ring is clean and seated should never be an issue.
- CAUTION; a heated detector (car in hot sun etc) is not a good idea to immerse directly in water, sudden cooling will/may suck water past shinking seals, this applies equally to going into the water at hunt site, or rinsing of after use.
35 years maintaining aircraft in the RCAF, also a scuba equipment specialist and an underwater photography enthusiast.
Cheers

Bob
Nova Scotia
Omega w 11" & 5" DD, 10" Con.
Cibola, Compadre
6000/D GEB Coinmaster



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2012 09:26PM by clamdigger.

Good advice.

ML user manual fails to mention the amount of care and attetion the water proof seal needs to keep performing,,,,,, I looked at mine the other day under a magnifying glass and was shocked to see the dust and dirt that was present,,,, if your one to leave the battery on the charger untill your ready to use it you need to cover the control box so it's not gathering dust while uncovered,,,

Quick question. Did you have it inside the house in air conditioning and perhaps had the battery compartment open at those temps? Then used it in hot conditions? That could cause condensation to form in the battery compartment.

It's out there fellows! Go get it!
"Ged Peacehavens"

then i returned it to the dealer.

why - why did they use such a small dia. oring?

do oring dia. increase or decrease closure as far as dia. go - meaning will small dia. seal better than a larger dia. - i was amazed how small it was.

i removed it daily and cleaned it since i hunted almost in the waves daily and it did get some fine sand around it.

just asking?

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All the testers that got one FREE did not any of the flaws. And there has been more than expected ....

With all water units no matter the maufacturer do expect some leakage problems....Some are caused by flaws and many are caused by operator error whether it be in cleanliness or improper O ring placement....As far as size imagine this is one case where size does not matter..Anyone being a homeowner and replacing O rings in their kitchen facets know one exceptionally small one can hold back a lot of water pressure and can be bought at your local hardware store quite cheaply. Not owning the unit in question have no first hand knowledge but have used a few water units in my day that didn't leak. Something to think about when buying a used water unit without a warranty.