Hey Eric.....my new Aquasearch had a slight leak around the gasket today.....what do you think?

[Anonymous]

I only noticed it this evening when I got home as I was wiping it down and couldnt wipe off a few small droplets because they were on the inside.....panic! I opened it up and it seems as though the gasket had rolled slightly in one place. I was only wading in chest deep water so the unit was maybe 1-2 feet under at most. I took the metal shield off and there were no droplets anywhere on the circuit board only a few on the inside perimeter of the box. I cleaned it up real good and I'll leave it open over the weekend to make sure it's good and dry. Do you think I should put some dessicant in there to absorb any moisture and also do you recommend using silicone grease on that gasket. Please let me know.
Thanks
Mike T.

 

[Anonymous]

Mike....I have a similar case to your Aquasearch.
Did you check to make sure the drops were in fact salt water and not fresh water droplets, you need to taste the drops to see if they are fresh/salt. I sometimes get fresh water droplets splashed from previous cleaning of the case with freshwater.
I use silicon grease and a sachet of dessicant.
Make sure there are no grains of sand caught between the o-ring and top plastic seating rim. Methylated spirits is good for cleaning the o-ring every so often to remove any residue and possible sand grains.
It is possible for some condensation to form in the case if conditions are right for it.
Might want to dunk the whole case in a tub of fresh water and look for any rising bubbles and where on the case they are coming from.
Good luck,
Tony
<IMG SRC="/metal/html/ausflag.jpg" BORDER=0 width=32 height=17 ALT="au~">

 

[Anonymous]

A dessicant in there to absorb moisture may not be such a bad idea.
I also recommend using silicone grease on the gasket.
Carefully remove the gasket, and with a little lube on your fingers, rub all over the gasket. Just a tad, to make it slip a bit so the gasket doesn't bunch up when closing cover.
I would fresh water test it after in a bucket of water.
Mr. Bill

 

[Anonymous]

It's important to also ensure that the two snap locks engage at the same time, otherwise undue pressure is exerted on one of the two front corners which may cause "bunching" of the O-ring.
What you want is "click" and not "click..click"....if that makes sense to you.
Tony.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike
Tony is correct about it may be fresh water droplets. It also could be caused by condensation caused by going from warm to cold environment.
One scenario is that you open the case in a warm area allowing in warm moist air. You then go hunting with it, submerging it into cold water, at least surrounding water colder that the inside case temperature. This will cause formation of moisture inside the case. Perhaps this is what happen to you ????
I would like you to keep a close eye on this, and please get back to me letting me know what it is doing. Testing it in fresh water is a far lot safer than letting it happen in salt water. It will survive the fresh water, it

 

[Anonymous]

I did in fact taste the drops to see if they were salt or not and it was definately salt water. After examining the gasket though it was apparent where it had leaked because it seems to have just rolled or bunched slightly on one corner just like you said Tony. I can see the logic in applying even pressure when closing and I even recall that the night before I had changed the batteries and when I closed it the lid went pop.....pop not quite together. I also have some silicone grease I use on my Excalibur so I will clean the gasket again and apply a thin layer.
Thanks again for the input.
Mike T.