Minelab leak

[JustKeepDigging]

So I have noticed after some of my water hunts, a little bit of water has been getting in by the battery. Not enough to stop the machine, but it looks like it's slowly doing some damage. Im using one rubber ring should I be using two?? What may be causing this issue? Any help would be great [emoji106]🏼! I always put oil on before I go out as well, right in these spots.

 

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[sandswimmer]

As long as water is not getting into the battery housing, it's fine.

 

[JustKeepDigging]

As long as water is not getting into the battery housing, it's fine.

So a drop or two is safe?

 

[sandswimmer]

No water, not even a drop should get inside the tube.

 

[OBN]

I might recommend pulling the endcap and cleaning out the pod, and check the endcap it'self for cracks. ...Use a eye loop and check very close.

Once all looks OK, put all back together. Silicon grease the oring, slip in the endcap, seal the endcap to battery pod using aquaseal..shoegoo..fill the little gap with a thin coat. Let dry over night, then a couple small dabs on the joint again then slip on the black protective shrink wrap cover.

And clean that ikelite with a dremel, wire brush. That is the positive side that is crud ed up. Once clean silicon grease it well..put the gasket on and grease it well also..

 

[WaterWalker]

WHERE IS YOUR RUBBER GASKET that goes between the connector and the pod? DO NOT submerge the detector without it in place, electrolysis will eat up the pins on the connector and the ones in the pod.

Clean up the pins. A bit of baking powder and dish soap between your fingers and rub the pins if you do not have any electrical contact cleaner - a better choice. The use either of the preceding on a Q-Tip in the two "holes" on the battery pod. Next "rinse" with alcohol. Let dry. Re-assemble with the rubber gasket in place. You should be OK to go detecting again. If you do not have a gasket or have lost it, try your local dealer or call Minelab for a replacement. I have also seen replacements on the auction sites.

 

[dewcon4414]

I like WW........ are you using the gasket? Looks like water is causing the battery to jump and you are getting corrosion. Id take that ikelite apart to ensure the wires are clean inside... just one screw. Put some silicon on those wires and put back together. After cleaning like Joe says, put some anti corrosive on a q tip and clean the female connectors on the end cap as well. I bought some thicker gasket used for cars...... used a leather punch and a bridle leather punch to make my own. I felt the way the ML gaskets were used and the thickness was causing me to tighten the cap and end cap more than needed .... thus causing some of the end caps to crack.

 

[JustKeepDigging]

WHERE IS YOUR RUBBER GASKET that goes between the connector and the pod? DO NOT submerge the detector without it in place, electrolysis will eat up the pins on the connector and the ones in the pod.

Clean up the pins. A bit of baking powder and dish soap between your fingers and rub the pins if you do not have any electrical contact cleaner - a better choice. The use either of the preceding on a Q-Tip in the two "holes" on the battery pod. Next "rinse" with alcohol. Let dry. Re-assemble with the rubber gasket in place. You should be OK to go detecting again. If you do not have a gasket or have lost it, try your local dealer or call Minelab for a replacement. I have also seen replacements on the auction sites.

Yeah I mentioned I'm using currently one gasket. I had a bad water leak about four months ago and sent it in for repairs. They actually sent me back the detector with that one part looking corroded still. So that's not from currently, that was from previously. I'm surprised they didn't clean it for me but I guess I can do it. Thank for all the info!!!

 

[WaterWalker]

OOPS... I missed you mentioning that you are using one gasket, is it in good shape, no tears or sand particles.
One gasket should do it, two my even cause a leak. Petroleum and vegetable based oils are no-nos for rubber and poly-carbonate parts. Most silicon grease / oil is an insulator, it is not good to use on the electrical contacts. A bit of electronic contact lubricant just on the two pins should be OK if you use anything at all.

 

[JustKeepDigging]

OOPS... I missed you mentioning that you are using one gasket, is it in good shape, no tears or sand particles.
One gasket should do it, two my even cause a leak. Petroleum and vegetable based oils are no-nos for rubber and poly-carbonate parts. Most silicon grease / oil is an insulator, it is not good to use on the electrical contacts. A bit of electronic contact lubricant just on the two pins should be OK if you use anything at all.

Perfect! Thank you again for all the info. [emoji3]

 

[OBN]

Use this, there is no better. Molykote 111 made by Dow, I need to order another myself..might be a good idea to pull the knobs and grease the top o rings..something that should be done once a year no matter how many times you use the Xcal.

 

[RustyGold]

That's just what I was going to recommend OBN. Molykote 111.

 

[JustKeepDigging]

How should I reattach this? What kind of glue? And at what point should I place the glue?

 

[OBN]

View attachment 1494668 and thats it..

How should I reattach this? What kind of glue? And at what point should I place the glue?

You need to put a thin coat of shoegoo or aquaseal to fill that gap between the pod and endcap..let dry over night, then a small dab of the shoegoo or AS to hold the black shrink wrap in place. Let dry

 

[FLORIDA KEYS PIRATE]

I need to give mine a good going over and make sure I don't have any issues in the making that I haven't noticed yet.


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[Mr. B]

Never use a petroleum base on O-rings. Use silicon grease.

 

[OBN]

Never use a petroleum base on O-rings. Use silicon grease.

I don't think anyone said anything besides Silicon grease on the O rings. Now for holding the black shrink wrap cover aquaseal or shoe goo, and that can be used to seal the endcap to pod gap also, as mentioned.

 

[bklein]

Aquaseal question: I bought a tube and used a bit of it and closed the cap. Next time I go to use it it has solidified near the cap. I punch through and can use a bit more of it and close the cap. Now again I try and use it but forget it - I'd have to tear open the tube and get what I can for a last use try. Is this typical with this stuff?

 

[OBN]

Aquaseal question: I bought a tube and used a bit of it and closed the cap. Next time I go to use it it has solidified near the cap. I punch through and can use a bit more of it and close the cap. Now again I try and use it but forget it - I'd have to tear open the tube and get what I can for a last use try. Is this typical with this stuff?

Yes, best to punch a very small hole, seal tight and refrigerate. A tube last me about a year and I buy the big tube.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

View attachment 1494668
How should I reattach this? What kind of glue? And at what point should I place the glue?

Clear silicone caulking is what I use and it works very well, wipe a thin coat around the inside of the rubber boot, put boot on and hit it with a heat gun or hot air dryer for a couple minutes then let it sit over night. Rubber boot is only to protect the o-ring from UV rays, it has nothing to do with keeping the pod waterproof. If for any reason you remove the allen set screws when you put them back on DO NOT COUNTER SINK THEM! You can crack the end cap by doing so.