Make a real waterproof CTX 3030 - scuba diving experience!

[WildDigger]

All you have to do is put the red gasket in and wipe off the silicone before you send it in to MineLab.

 

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[frogmaster-riviera]

I'm finishing a video on the MODS of the CTX3030 and the video has been previewed by Minelab staff (...) as I don't want to make any Minelab bashing and things that could avoid warranty.

I scuba hunt with my CTX almost 2 times a week from -5ft to -50ft without any issues at all. Maybe I'm lucky but trust me it's a fantastic machine down there especially on very productive beaches (many sinks, old coins, pieces of aluminium etc).

To complete the Waterproofing process, I use a fantastic bone phone that I can put under my diving suite :

 

[WildDigger]

Can't wait to see the video.

 

[frogmaster-riviera]

There it is, part#1

 

[RustyGold]

I sold my CTX last week and then purchased a new one! Great way to upgrade the warranty Lol!
Thanks for all your efforts to share the CTX 3030 experience!
Best of Luck!
Rusty

 

[frogmaster-riviera]

I sold my CTX last week and then purchased a new one! Great way to upgrade the warranty Lol!
Thanks for all your efforts to share the CTX 3030 experience!
Best of Luck!
Rusty

That's what I did also with all my Excliburs, keep them for 12 month then sold them to avoid any problems. I maybe should think to do the same for my ctx...

 

[WildDigger]

I sold my CTX last week and then purchased a new one! Great way to upgrade the warranty Lol!
Thanks for all your efforts to share the CTX 3030 experience!
Best of Luck!
Rusty

To late for mine. I have less then 7 months left. Lol

 

[Jackalope]

Frogmaster, like your video ... but the USB Port O-ring size is given in the video as 19.5-20mm X 2mm NBR70 ...

The package you open in the video is for a 20mm X 2.90mm O-ring, much thicker ...

I'm thinking a mid-size would probably be adequate, 20mm X 2.65mm O-ring.

Do you think the 2mm thickness for the USB port is too thin?

Also, is it necessary to remove the inner rubber seal inside the cap? Thanks.

 

[frogmaster-riviera]

Leave the inner rubber in place, just make sure it ok (you can buy new one along with the end cap from Minelab).

Will check the size this week end. I extensively use my CTX 3030 underwater (scuba) since a few weeks now and I am in the process of validating other solutions for the USB, will get back to you shortly.

 

[Mirlen]

What sealant works good that's in the USA? Akfix 100e is the only one I saw that has the lower tensile strength, Loctite 5331 is nowhere to be found...

 

[beachdude]

Can you please tell me exactly what O rings to order for the USB port and the main battery compartment for scuba depth and where to order them from?

Thanks!

 

[i.timchenko]

Thank you guys very informative information . Yesterday, for the first time I went into the water and drip device : on connectors green flush .... The question is not whether the brains leaked from the battery compartment ? I am from Ukraine, Kiev.

 

[JackalopeZL1]

I bought the 79x3.00 o-rings from the link provided and it seems like they are about an inch too long and don't want to fit flat in place. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Thanks Jack!

To sum the discussion up - looked at dozens of US O-ring sites (some sell in packages of 50+), these are closest to what might work and are also fairly cheap:

USB PORT REPLACEMENT O-RINGS
ID = Inside Diameter CS = Cross section (thickness)

20.0mm (ID) x 2.65mm (CS) N70 Price: $1.18 - MEDIUM
2.65mm X 20mm Metric Buna-N 70 O-ring Single [N2.65X020] : O-Rings - The O-Ring Store, We make getting O-Rings easy!


BATTERY CASE REPLACEMENT O-RINGS
ID = Inside Diameter CS = Cross section (thickness)

79mm (ID) x 3.00mm (CS) N70 Price: $1.82 - THICKEST FOR SCUBA (will have larger gap)
3mm X 79mm Buna-N 70 Metric O-ring [N3.00X079] : O-Rings - The O-Ring Store, We make getting O-Rings easy!

80.6mm (ID) x 2.62mm (CS) N70 Price: $2.95 - THICKER FOR SCUBA/STRONG WAVES (will have gap)
2.62mm X 80.6mm Metric O-ring - Buna-N 70 [N2.62X080.6] : O-Rings - The O-Ring Store, We make getting O-Rings easy!

79mm (ID) x 2.50mm (CS) N70 Price: $1.50 - MEDIUM FOR SNORKEL/WAVES (will have gap)
2.5mm X 79mm Metric Buna-N 70 O-ring [N2.50X079] : O-Rings - The O-Ring Store, We make getting O-Rings easy!

80mm (ID) x 2.00mm (CS) N70 Price: $1.43 - NORMAL FOR WADING (case closes w/o gaps)
2mm X 80mm Metric Buna-N 70 O-ring [N2.00X080] : O-Rings - The O-Ring Store, We make getting O-Rings easy!

I Want to order the Orings.. But what is the size needed? Just going by the fact he ordered the ones said to be needed and it was 1 inch to long?

 

[beachdude]

If 1.5 Newtons/mm^2 is the maximum then the Acetoxy Silicone sealant I posted as a link above won't do. It has a tech sheet tensile strength of 300 psi, which is 2.07 N/mm^2 (which is more than 1.5)

The Afix 100E has a tensile strength of 0.7 N/mm^2 - which should allow removal of the USB plug without too much trouble. Probably better.
Amazon.com: Akfix 100E Clear 10.5 oz. Universal Silicone Sealant (Clear): Office Products

What about this stuff?



Amazon.com: Permatex 19920 Plastic Threadlocker, 10 ml: Automotive

 

[JackalopeZL1]

I doubt that stuff will clean off.

 

[lockster99]

I take no responsibility for any ones CTX. What I can tell you is I bought these and have used it at the beach without any problems

 

[JackalopeZL1]

I take no responsibility for any ones CTX. What I can tell you is I bought these and have used it at the beach without any problems View attachment 1160990

thanks for your response.

 

[Jackalope]

The Tech Data Sheet on the Plastic Theadlocker says it has Shear Strength of 1200psi, which is equal to 8.27N/m2. That's 4x stronger bond than some other stuff I couldn't recommend. But who knows ... give it a try and let everyone know how it went. The data sheet says it has "low strength for ease of removal" and also says "sets in seconds to form a permanent transparent bond." A permanent bond that can easily be removed?

 

[frogmaster-riviera]

Yes Jack a permanent that can easily removed:

=> it will break easily when a certain tork is applied. Loctite is the same.

 

[Jackalope]

"=> it will break easily when a certain tork is applied."

Yes. Enough torque will break the connection to anything.

The shear force apparently is 2x higher than the silicone adhesive below.

Amazon.com: Acetoxy Cure Silicone General Purpose Adhesive, Clear, 10.3-Ounce: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Silicone adhesive is waterproof too.