CZ 20 Sealing the stress reliefs & headphone questions

[GTzer]

Final QUESTIONS so I can finish preping and teat this unit in Saltwater (wading-not diving)
Questions in BOLD type.

RTVed -the face plate gasket, around the nuts under the 4 knobs, the PP switch,a thin coat over the LEDs, 2 holes directly below the PP button and inside the stress relief at the coil. Battery box cracks sealed good enough to test (will order a new one). Removed coil cover that was filled with sand (will order a new one)

Want to RTV inside the 2 stress relief cords (headphone & coil) on the control box. and where the cord goes into the earphone.
For the stress relief(s)- Can I loosen those -add the RTV and tighten them back without doing damage? Do I need a special wrench? The one at the coil was easy enough with a 15 mm wrench but there is not enough clearance near the box.

Headphones- Can I get to & seal where the wire connects inside the ear cup? Is there a stress relief inside?
I notice what seem to be plugs on mono line inside the ear cups. Drain holes? Plugged or left open for-diving? Not in the manual.
How do you get the plugs?

Thanks for all of the help & input,
GTzer

 

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[lookindown]

Your going to make a machine that doesn't leak, start leaking...the wires are hardwired and you shouldn't be taking them apart...unless you know how to work on detectors.

 

[GTzer]

Not taking it apart.(I wouldn't even if I felt skilled enough) Sealing every external -potential weak spot for leaks-that I read about here and other places.

 

[lookindown]

Not taking it apart.(I wouldn't even if I felt skilled enough) Sealing every external -potential weak spot for leaks-that I read about here and other places.

Nothing wrong with that, should make it even more waterproof...I thought you were taking connectors loose.

 

[bigscoop]

The older CZ-20's were built like a tank and you shouldn't experience any leaking issues. The problem with adding all the extra silicone is that it creates crevices for very fine particles of sand & salt to collect which isn't a good thing. Best bet, just rinse the machine well with freshwater after each hunt.

 

[GTzer]

Point taken Bigscoop. Took my time & made it neat. Most of those areas had more nooks & crannies before the RTV. Fisherman here-everything gets rinsed.
Yep-built like a waterproof tank -overkill is my intent. Let it collect what it may as long as it doesn't get to the electronics.Possible stress and immersion --it's history is not mine or known. All functions work. Would like to keep it that way.
I can barely justify a used-working-MD. Cannot justify a non working unit. If I can get a season or two out of it-I could justify-a repair or upgrade if it became necessary.
Once I make sure its waterproof-I'll work on extra stress relief.

Anybody know-at least-about the plugs for the drain holes in the headphones?

 

[OBN]

Best advice I can give is the weak point is the PP button, stay away from it. Everything else is design to take a beating. The stress relief fittings are design to seal in the cable then the threads of the fitting sealed. Adding anything is extra insurance but I feel not needed. The drain holes can be left open or closed. I prefer open just incase water should get in, the piezo's inside of the headphones are totally sealed so nothing should affect them. I have a CZ20 that is at least 15 years old....solid as a rock, I bought it and the guys said try it and if I have any problems I could return it. When I received it sure looked ruff,.. first thing I did, threw it in the pool for a over night stay. Pulled it out the following day, turned it on, purred like a kitten...I hope someday to do a remote PP on one of the Cz...here is a really cool post from a few years ago....from Gleam

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/fisher-research-labs/208220-advanced-cz20-surgery-stuff.html

 

[GTzer]

OBN-as always-thanks for the input. I to have the option to return the unit if it leaks. I have many hours into making sure this doesn't happen. I read everything I could find in a multitude of sites & forums. Majority of users cited the great construction with possible or known weak points being the PP switch & the LEDs.(battery door a more secondary concern-& basically a given replacement). I made sure the PP functioned-sealed it and have no intention of ever using it.
A good number of the owner/users seemed a bit contradictory in that they would tout the great waterproof character of the CZ 20-state how problem free it was---if you didn't use the PP---then either go on about the ways they siliconed their CZs (for insurance), or how it leaked and/or how many they knew of that had to be upgraded (due to leaks).
Brings me to the link you added above. Amazing link. Yep-gleaner caught my eye with his expertise, very detailed, informative thread. I could never find the follow up thread where (if some one were to request) he was going to do a detailed thread on removing the stress reliefs at the control to add RTV. If you remember- he called those points the Achilles Heal of the CZ 20. I took notice to that statement (to say the least). Compelled me to PM him.
I probably over did it-being that he didn't know me and I had many questions (main one was about the stress relief). I referenced the very thread you posted and complimented him on it. He was kind enough to give me a few, brief replies with out answering the -how to-question. Perhaps he'd forgotten that he spoke of 2 water breaches that were repaired under warranty, the Achilles Heal statement or the many CZ 20's that were in for upgrade (due to breach) because his reply was-basically- they're built like a tank-don't use the PP-you'll be ok.

I did everything else- overkilled it-still-I'd really like to do the Achilles Heal-call me silly.A swipe of RTV where the wire meets the grommet-would do it for me. Got to be some sort of slotted socket wrench. The one at the coil took me 1 minute.

Headphone plugs--no info on them? Do they go in /out for diving-rain? I know they make a good wind sound-that might be too much on the beach (in a stiff wind). Sure would like to know- it might give me the option to use them as intended (or not).

Thanks for the reply Joe excuse the late night ramble.

 

[GTzer]

Per Fisher-the plugs on the earphones are for diving, rain and keeping water out. Also quieter in the wind. If you dive or snorkle- pull them up when you are done to allow draining and drying.
Little bit difficult to get them out. I used a tweezer & a metal toothpick. Can't lose them because they're attached with mono line. Have a little stem that makes it easy to open or seal.

They won't even discuss the stress reliefs.