Greasing Excalibur knobs?

[CC2_IN_CA]

Just got a used Exacalibur. My first minelab.
Seems the knobs are very hard to turn.

Is it okay to use silicone spary to lube the knob o-rings?

 

[John (west central FL)]

n/t

 

[John (west central FL)]

A few years ago someone used silicone spray on their Excalibur and it leaked the next time they used it in the water. Just be very careful with the knobs and don't turn them past the limits.

John

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Hey CC2, Another option is to replace the existing knobs with new knobs from Radio Shack. They are very chaep, and better yet, they have a brass set screw. You will find that the EXCALIBUR BBS (blue colored model) has a repeated history of knob problems!! HH,

 

[Elton Noway]

CC2
You might be thinking; "If the knob turns hard, how will changing the knob make any difference." Actually the Radio Shack knobs have a raised tab on them making them easier to turn. Although Silicone spray sounds like a safe bet... most contain petroleum distillates or carriers that could eat the o-ring seals and/or soften plastic. As you may know scuba divers use silicone grease to lube o-rings in their equipment, however, silicone grease and silicone spray are two different compounds. In most cases silicone spray is not the same thing! Trying to work some silicone grease down into the shaft area can present a different problem if you don't get the excess grease cleaned up real good it can collect and hold sand which is a different problem altogether.

Motto: "A knob that turns hard is better than a Excal that leaks"

You have three choices. 1) Leave as it is and just live with it. 2) Send the Excal to Minelab for an overhaul / tuneup. 3) Replace the knobs with the Radio Shack version.

I'd choose option 3... although option 2 might not be a bad idea if you got the Excal at a really good price. If you want to know more about the Radio Shack replacement knobs heres a link to everything you'd ever want to know:

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?21,166068,166068#msg-166068

Elton

 

[purdygold]

I agree with Elton and recently replaced the knobs on my machine with Radio Shack and they work great. By the way it seems all Excal knobs are not what one would call "free turning".GL

 

[scoutingbear]

CC2,

Seems like you have some very good advice here. Pay attention to the one about not turning the know past limits. I have had to have two replaced for that very reason. The radio shack knobs work but they do allow you to apply more turning power, which can cause overturning the knob.

I have not tried this yet but thinking about it. There are two knobs you play with most. Threshold and Disc/Pin point (at least that are the two I turn most.) I am thinking about placing a small dab of two part epoxy at the stops. This should give the radio shack knobs pointer something to come to rest against and stop it from overturning.

Bear

 

[CC2_IN_CA]

Thanks to all for the responses.
I'll try the radio shack knobs
and be careful not to over turn them.