Ctx O-ring sealing situation discussion with Minelab

[fields12]

OK, I

 

[JamesBondaka]

OK, I

 

[ML]

Excellent and well thought out first post. Welcome to the Forum.

 

[JamesBondaka]

I had another issue to talk with Minelab about so since we were on the phone....I brought up our ongoing concerns of the O ring situation. I said that a lot of people really like the ctx but are concerned about the sealing situation. Minelab says they have very few incidents of the seal not holding once the detector has been replaced/repaired. I would guess that many people take closer attention to the seal etc than they did before....I know I will. Minelab maintains that the seal will function properly if maintained & positioned correctly. A little extra care is all thats required. As mentioned before 2 O rings placed properly together will work as well....or some silicone used properly. Minelabs engineers are aware of all these issues and no changes/upgrades are available at this time.

 

[jtalley007]

So far I have not seen any comments on this. It seems this would solve any accidental popping open of latches and pressure from water if a wave hit the side. I would love to hear some thoughts, especially if anyone has tried it with success. 99% of my detecting so far has been relic and beach hunting so no gasket issues yet.

 

[JamesBondaka]

Some people use heavy duty rubber band to secure the clamps. I have thought of just using a good quality electrical tape to seal the outside edges. I also like the idea of using plumbers tape on the edges.

Again, hopefully these precautions WONT be necessary if the previous info from ML is accurate.

 

[ML]

Some people use heavy duty rubber band to secure the clamps. I have thought of just using a good quality electrical tape to seal the outside edges. I also like the idea of using plumbers tape on the edges.

Again, hopefully these precautions WONT be necessary if the previous info from ML is accurate.

A rubber band/tape on a $2000.00 plus detector? That doesn't sound right but seems like a good solution to those who aren't confident in the current latching system, but it makes me not wanna put mine under water ever. I personally don't go in past my waist so it's not a big deal for me. I dust off the Excal on the few occasions that I submerge a unit.

 

[GKMan]

when I have made ​​several posts about the problems of flooding of the ctx

I have been threatened by some here is I have been banned

remember that the problem of flooding not only from the battery compartment but also from the plug socket usb

I managed to solve the problem of this metal detector is functional with some simple things.

Now the ctx is able to go under 7 meter of water without flood


http://metaldetectorforummarche.forumfree.it/?t=67608628

thanks to my post in a forum Italian was solved a bad design of the Minelab

You were probably banned because you kept calling people "potatoes" for some reason, and no matter what suggestions were offered by the knowledgeable folks on this forum, you didn't want to hear it and kept going on and on saying the same things over and over. Now your back with a new name, and linking to other forums, no matter how helpful your solution may be you just don't get the rules

 

[McClod]

Hi JamesBondaka,

Testing them out when the weather and water here warms up sounds great to me! I'm looking forward to it!
And I'm sure I can learn a thing or two from you in the process! Keep in touch!

Don

Its too bad that the D-ring is so dainty, something slightly larger that would expand slightyly when the battery is in place to enhanse the sealing capacity should work good. But a seal that requires so much "babying" concerns me, especially when it leaks, does Minelab consider that operator error and not cover it under warranty or have they been good about covering the repairs? Still its a PITA that one wouldhave to send it in.

Hi again,

I know Minelab took care of mine....I have heard of others as well. I would say....that unless there was gross indications of abuse or lack of care...thats what the warranty is for and they would repair or replace the detector. As my discussion with Minelab went....It doesnt really need "babying"....just some reasonable care as one would expect with a gasket exposed to sand/salt etc I again personally think there could be an improvement and I agree with you on the larger/thicker o ring.

Lets test our detectors out here when the water get warmer....like July?

 

[jtalley007]

Thanks for the comments but they still don't let me know if anyone uses one of the nice covers made and if anyone thinks it will help to keep wave and sand pressure out?

Thanks

 

[JamesBondaka]

Thanks for the comments but they still don't let me know if anyone uses one of the nice covers made and if anyone thinks it will help to keep wave and sand pressure out?

Thanks

Bond to 007...I don't use the covers but know people that do....They really like them and it does keep the "wear" issue down to minimum.

As for it helping the problem of "wave and sand pressure out".........I think anything would initially help to keep the water/sand "Off" the detector but I don't think that's the problem. I don't think its got a problem with any kind of splashing or intermittent contact with water. It is the actual pressure of submersing the detector that if the seal isn't clean & aligned....that's the potential problem.

 

[jerseyjim]

I saw a you tube video and he had a rubber band around the battery as a little extra precaution. I have to put my trust in Minelab, $2,400.00 worth.

 

[McClod]

I've searched this ctx forum for info on buying a O ring replacement kit for my ctx and came up empty. I know they make them and was quoted $35 from a dealer, asked a local dealer about them and they could find no info on them. Is that right, $35 bucks for I think it was 3 O rings and there was another part, a cap or something in the kit?

If that's what's being charged for these rings I should of bought a rubber band detector! If anyone can point me in the right direction I sure appreciate it!

Thanks

 

[JamesBondaka]

I've searched this ctx forum for info on buying a O ring replacement kit for my ctx and came up empty. I know they make them and was quoted $35 from a dealer, asked a local dealer about them and they could find no info on them. Is that right, $35 bucks for I think it was 3 O rings and there was another part, a cap or something in the kit?

If that's what's being charged for these rings I should of bought a rubber band detector! If anyone can point me in the right direction I sure appreciate it!

Thanks

Don,

I think you can get 3 rings and a extra cap for about 17 plus shipping usually around 23 total. You can go to feebay or several dealers have them. Check with Sunray...I think they have them in stock.

 

[ML]

I believe Ron DeGhetto of Gold Digger Metal Detectors sells them.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Ralph at SunRay is where I got mine but I think all major dealers carry them in stock. (At least they should)

 

[McClod]

Thanks for the info guys! I gave Ralph at Sunray a call and he's got a set on the way to me!

Don

 

[jas415]

A suggestion for when you get the extra 'O-ring' (or a very thin latex rubber band). Take the old or new o-ring, or the rubber band, and put it around the outside of the battery, where the battery holder edge goes down into the slot for the existing o-ring. I just took a thin latex rubber band (when laid flat was about 2.5 inches in diameter across the circle, and the actual band is about 1/16th of an inch unstretched in diameter) and put it around the outer edge of the battery itself, where they mate together, and when the battery is placed back on the holder, and pressed down into the electrical connection the rubber band creates an additional seal around the outer edges of where the o-ring resides. Just visually looking at it, no pressure testing or anything, (maybe Minelab could do that) it seems to create a better seal. It does require some very small extra downward pressure to seal the battery and close the clamps.

 

[INSAYN]

A suggestion for when you get the extra 'O-ring' (or a very thin latex rubber band). Take the old or new o-ring, or the rubber band, and put it around the outside of the battery, where the battery holder edge goes down into the slot for the existing o-ring. I just took a thin latex rubber band (when laid flat was about 2.5 inches in diameter across the circle, and the actual band is about 1/16th of an inch unstretched in diameter) and put it around the outer edge of the battery itself, where they mate together, and when the battery is placed back on the holder, and pressed down into the electrical connection the rubber band creates an additional seal around the outer edges of where the o-ring resides. Just visually looking at it, no pressure testing or anything, (maybe Minelab could do that) it seems to create a better seal. It does require some very small extra downward pressure to seal the battery and close the clamps.

I understand what you are describing, and quite possibly a viable solution, but I can almost theorize that it may also create a "less positive" seal on the primary sealing O-ring.

 

[jas415]

"I understand what you are describing, and quite possibly a viable solution, but I can almost theorize that it may also create a "less positive" seal on the primary sealing O-ring."

I suppose you could put the rubber band inside the o-ring compartment also. Anyway, I put the band around it, put it under running tap water for a minute or so, dried off the outside and opened it up, no water. Then I re-latched it, put it under water in the sink for a minute or so, dried it off and opened it up. No water inside. Anyway, it is just an idea and maybe Minelab should look into it as a fix.

And you are correct in that it just might lessen the pressure on the o-ring, even though it is a very thin rubber band, and not be as good a seal, but that is what the engineers get paid the big bucks for.

This is what it looks like.