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Excal went scatty

Mudwiggle		Posted : Friday, 9 January 2015 7:59:28 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered, Moderators Joined: 22/10/2013(UTC) Posts: 742 Thanks: 182 times Was thanked: 683 time(s) in 317 post(s)		Well, was up North today while wife went to a seminar and had the Excal with me - so to pass the time I headed for the beach. Surf wasn't big, 1-1.5m maybe, so I leapt into the water and was working about waist deep. When I saw this Godzilla of a wave start to lift... I had 30+kg of lead on so just braced and took it as it broke over the top of me, as in I was inside the 'tube'. I was still standing afterwards, but the gear had taken a pounding - phones were about 3m away on a well stretched lead, the coil had been flipped backwards and I never saw my hat again. Immediately afterwards, the Excal was really loose and chattery, had to wind the sensitivity back to 40-50% to get some stability - I normally run at 70 - 90% with no issues. Even all metal was twitchy, but not quite as bad. First thought was water inside, but all seems dry and no condensation has formed. Gave it a good rinse off when I got home and seems to be sweet again. Thoughts as to cause? There was sand inside the coil cover, but non-metallic and no more than previous beach hunts. Other than that, mechanical seals etc were all good. I had freshly silicone greased the battery and plug etc, but my gut feel is there could have been some water forced into the contacts and a bit of fizzing might have been going on... Appreciate any thoughts from any bods who have had similar issues with their water machines (even if not an Excal) Cheers MW (Final score was 8 sinkers, 100 Francs and a decent pair of aviator shades - and a tear tab free zone. It was bliss!)

Guardian		Posted : Friday, 9 January 2015 9:08:15 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 30/10/2011(UTC) Posts: 716 Location: Dunedin Thanks: 42 times Was thanked: 222 time(s) in 185 post(s)		Open what you can and chuck in some dry white rice, leave it in at least overnight then clean it out with compressed air. Have another look at the coil/control box connector it's a weak point for most detectors. If all looks good and if there is a possibility of the coil cable being stretched maybe try another coil if you have one just to take that out of the equation. Same with the earphones but less likely. Worth a shot. Edited by user Friday, 9 January 2015 9:11:55 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

Mudwiggle		Posted : Friday, 9 January 2015 9:28:26 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered, Moderators Joined: 22/10/2013(UTC) Posts: 742 Thanks: 182 times Was thanked: 683 time(s) in 317 post(s)		Yeah, might just do that - wouldn't take much salt in the housing to start playing silly wotsits. I'm bordering on stripping it down for a mod anyway - changed the seals about a year ago, although it does a lot of hours. Edited by user Friday, 9 January 2015 9:30:27 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Afterthought

Mudwiggle		Posted : Saturday, 10 January 2015 10:38:08 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered, Moderators Joined: 22/10/2013(UTC) Posts: 742 Thanks: 182 times Was thanked: 683 time(s) in 317 post(s)		Sorted. All seals were intact and no moisture inside, indicator gel was still okay. Turns out was just a sheath breakdown under one of the strain-reliefs. A cut and solder to add some glue heatshrink and good to go :) Did the O rings while I was at it. $7 is cheap insurance. MW Edited by user Saturday, 10 January 2015 10:57:45 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified Mudwiggle attached the following image(s):

sycotoad		Posted : Saturday, 10 January 2015 9:13:41 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 9/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 569 Location: downunder Thanks: 120 times Was thanked: 126 time(s) in 97 post(s)		great to see you got it all sorted MW :)
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