CTX 3030 leaking issue

[Stogger]

Hello Fellow CTX-3030 users.

Today was my third "screen below the waterline" use and looks like I have a leaking issue as well. I purchased mine this past May.

I am very familiar with using and maintaining sensitive equipment used in a variety of environments. I'm very meticulous about cleaning and handling my CTX-3030. Normally I use the detector on land or "dry" conditions. I've used the CTX-3030 in water (submerged inches below the waterline) 3 times now. Today after detecting in waist deep water (fresh water), I did my normal "after use" cleaning which includes checking the battery compartment and USB cap for leakage. The USB cap was wet on the inside. This shouldn't have been wet since it was checked and secured before entering the water, and it was still secure afterwards when I conducted my "after use" check. Also I noticed bubbles coming from the hole facing you on the grip (maybe this is a drain, I don't know). After this use, the detector speaker is now muffled (the detector speaker worked properly minutes before this use).

So far, the battery compartment has been leak-free.

Anyway, I sent a message back to Minelab to start the ball rolling; I sure hope warranty covers this. Seems very odd to have a water leakage issue this soon on a machine bought specifically for water usage.

Mike

 

[nagov]

Hole in the grip is supposed to allow air out as water goes into the handle area, otherwise, you would have an air pocket in the handle and a floating issue.
USB cap only seals at the rubber in the top of the cap to the flat surface around the USB port and you would find water on the threads IF that is what you were talking about. IF indeed the water was on the rubber (sealing surface) inside the cap and/or in then USB port, then it did leak. The threads of the USB cap are not for sealing......
I never use my speaker so I wouldn't even know if it worked......

Well over 1000 hours with my CTX underwater (saltwater), I pull the battery after each use to ensure no leakage......I inspect the USB port maybe once every 3-4 months.

Minelab will make it right for you.

Cliff

 

[Stogger]

Thanks Cliff!

-Thanks for explaining the hole; that's exactly what I was hoping.
-The water was inside the cap so it seems this leaked. I don't use the speakers either, however I don't have an internal diagram so I'm currently in the dark knowing if the water that affected the speaker could also affect other electronics. Looking at the back at the speaker, it appears to be separate from the main body. I won't open this because I don't want to void warranty.
-Otherwise the detector seems to be working fine; wireless function, modes, GPS, all seem to be unaffected for the time being.
-I check the battery and gasket after every use as well. Even when not in the water, if used at the beach, minute particles of sand creep into the gasket. This might seem excessive, but I remove these particles under a low power binocular microscope at home and clean the gasket groove.
-That's what I hear from others; that Minelab is a reputable company and will address issues.

I only used it in water where the detector was mostly submerged just a couple times (waist deep); I was hoping to start detecting in deeper water using snorkel and mask (shoulder deep). So it is comforting to know someone has really tested the CTX, and in saltwater, without major problems.

Thanks again!

 

[Stogger]

This morning the speaker worked.

 

[nolanation]

Water in the speaker causing muffling is normal, and will be un-muffled as it drains.

 

[Stogger]

Well, today I got the detector back from Minelab. I found their warranty service to be great! They replaced the back panel which includes the pinpointing button, speaker, and USB port. They did this as a precaution and mentioned there was no evidence of water leakage into the detector. A technician answered all questions and stayed on top of keeping me informed of the status. He confirmed Noland's comment that when the speaker dries out, it should work fine. The speaker compartment is separated from the detector electronics so no need to fear when this happens to the speaker; the other electronics is protected. Also he mentioned if water gets into the USB port, it shouldn't migrate into the other detector electronics. But he also mentioned the obvious; the detector needs to be checked and dried out after every underwater use, and especially the battery compartment.

So back at it again this weekend if the weather holds up.

Mike

 

[Johnnyanglo]

Keeping the CTX from leaking:

1. Use a cotton swab to push up the red gasket
2. Wash gasket with soap and water
3. Use dry cotton swab (remove some cotton and compress end with pliers) ... run through compartment groove where gasket was
4. Apply dab of silicone grease between fingers and draw red gasket through to give a light coating
5. Put red gasket back (with corners aligned) and press it down with cotton swab
6. Wash the battery holder (without battery case inserted) to remove all sand/dirt
7. Apply thin film of silicone grease along leading edge of battery holder with swab (or finger)
8. Assemble battery holder to detector's battery compartment

Do this every time before use ... and no leaks!

Johnnyanglo

 

[Stogger]

Thanks for the tips Johhnyangelo. I do most of these (except the silicon grease which I will do now), and so far (knock on wood) have not had battery compartment leakage.

 

[Jason in Enid]

You will have to be EXTRA careful if you are using silicone on the o-ring. It will cause sand, dirt and debris to stick to it so it will have to be cleaned every time it's opened.

 

[Johnnyanglo]

Yep.

Gotta take the O-ring out and wash every time. It is possible to cut down on the sand grains by slipping an old sock (color choice is yours) over the battery area (cut a hole for the headphone cable).

Johnnyanglo

 

[Des D]

A Question for any of you who might have used Fisher Aquanauts CZ21 etc...
What were your experiences of water leaks with them??

 

[RichW]

Used them for over 20 years and never had a leak.

 

[Stogger]

That's an idea (a sock) or maybe a stocking......(black )