AndreSmith

I received my Airlock last night and installed it on my Subal ND3.

 

I sent the following feedback email to Sean at backscatter this morning:

 

 

 

Sean

 

Some feedback on myAir Lock install last night.

Housing is a Subal ND3.

 

Installed the bulkhead fitting with a bit of lube on the o ring. I did not use threadlock. Originally used a crescent wrench. Is the bulkhead fitting made of metal or plastic?

 

The outer threaded part of the fitting was a fraction too wide for the surrounding lip of the housing casting. There was some interference once the fitting threaded in far enough and would not seat the o ring on the mating surface of the housing. My first try yielded a slow leak that would go from -10 to zero in about ten minutes. I disassembled everything, cleaned and regreased and on the second try used an 11/16 socket. The fitting actually cut some threads into the paint of the housing. I got to the original install depth and then gave an extra 1/4 turn until it completely stopped. I reassembled and pulled -10 which held perfectly overnight.

 

This interference may be a one off due to the position of the bulkhead hole relative to the surrounding casting, but knowing Subal, I doubt it. Had I dived the housing it would have leaked. It is important to stress that ANY loss of vacuum indicates a leak.

 

At -10 in/Hg my ports would still rotate but could not be removed.

 

The other point I would make is that when testing the stability of the vacuum, I used a synthetic cork from a wine bottle to plug the hole in the gauge where the pump handle would go, rather than the pump. It is easier to handle and eliminates the possiblity of air leaking from the pump side. You could even throw a cork in with the packaging.

 

FYI my math indicates that -10 in/Hg is equal to 11 FSW or 10 feet of fresh water.

 

The other use of this product is to tell you when your housing needs a rebuild.

 

Apart from the interference problem, everything is perfect. You just need to know it is a potential glitch, and hopefully the paint won't chip off.  

 

Great product, no doubt!

 

ian

 

C'mon Poolboy - get that housing in the ocean!

If you want the rust proof solution, ULCS makes a tripot adapter, the AC-TRI, and it's cheap:

http://reefphoto.com...products_id=491

 

You can turn 3 ball joint arms into tripod legs, but again, it's not as flexible as the Gorilla Pod.

 I have the ULCS tripod adapter with three 12" legs. Like new condition and not being used so willing to part with it for $100. PM me if interested