Ikelite Problems After Flood Repair

[jenfu 0]

Hi Everyone,

I flooded my Ikelite housing a few weeks back (I know, dumb user error!) and had it repaired by Ikelite. It was for a Nikon D200. They replaced all of the TTL circuitry. I'm about to head out on a trip and noticed that some of the knobs for the controls are a lot stiffer (and make crunchy sounds) when I turn them. They are useable but I'm concerned that this is due to salt crystals not cleaned out which are damaging my seals. I don't want to be without my rig on this next trip (by sending it back to Ikelite now) but don't want to be doing more damage. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

-JenFu

[sdingeldein 0]

Hi Everyone,

I flooded my Ikelite housing a few weeks back (I know, dumb user error!) and had it repaired by Ikelite. It was for a Nikon D200. They replaced all of the TTL circuitry. I'm about to head out on a trip and noticed that some of the knobs for the controls are a lot stiffer (and make crunchy sounds) when I turn them. They are useable but I'm concerned that this is due to salt crystals not cleaned out which are damaging my seals. I don't want to be without my rig on this next trip (by sending it back to Ikelite now) but don't want to be doing more damage. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

-JenFu

 

I'd call Ikelite if you can tomorrow. If not, I'd take the housing down without a camera in it to pressure test it live. I'm betting Ikelite pressure tested it before sending it back to you, but if you can't talk to them or email them I'd do a pressure test without the D200 in the camera.

 

SD

[Cerianthus 55]

Check the manual for the following: the tightness of the knobs is controlled by a set screw. In general you need to lube the controls a bit. For the ones that slide in and out it is easy (just a dab of grease on it and a few twists and turns.

 

If it is salt: a prolonged soak (without the camera) would help as well. No stuff in the water, but it can be lukewarm.

[acroporas 0]

If you live in the US, the turn around time at Ikelite is less than a day if you let them know you are in a time crunch. If you priority over-night it to them, they will fix it the same day they get it and overnight it back to you that same day. Email them to warn them it is comming and that you need it back ASAP. If you send it tommorow you could have it back by wednesday or at latest thursday.

 

OR.... Ikelite controlls, (both the pushbuttons and the knobs) are very easy to service yourself.

 

To remove the knobs, first loosen the screw on the side of the knob with an allen wrench. The knob will just pull right off of the shaft. Then you can then push the shaft right through the inside of the housing. (on knobs like the shutter button, the shaft that extends is the screw)

 

To remove the pushbuttons, remove the C-clamps on the inside of the housing, you can then just pull the button out from the outside. (in less you have spare C-clamps, be very carefull not to break or loose them because you will need them to put the housing back together)

 

Once you have the sticky buttons out, clean both the buttons and the holes good with water, then use ikelite o-ring lube to on the o-rings and anywhere else that looks like it might benefit from a bit of lube.

 

Then put it all back together. It's best if you only do one button at a time so you don't loose a part or forget which button goes where.

[jenfu 0]

Thank you very much for everyone's advice. I will try to service it myself with the excellent instructions provided by you guys. If I can't manage, I'll send it over to Ikelite. Got my fingers crossed!

Have a Great Day,

-JenFu

[Rocha 0]

Also, remember to take your housing down in a pool for a test dive (or snorkel) without the camera on it, just to test the seal.

 

Luiz