E/O Connectors

Rainer · February 9th, 2012, 02:37 AM

Recently picked up a housing for our camera and we've started to shoot some UW video. I have two Salvo 35W HIDs I've been using for lighting. These are being run off a single 15.6Ah canister (Y-connector with E/O connectors).

Any advice on how best to care for the E/O connectors?

I'm diving in salt water exclusively. I'm often entering the water with the video lights (mounted to the camera) unplugged from the canister (mounted to me). Same for exit (unplugging them and handing up the camera before exiting).

I've heard not to have the canister "on" if the E/O connectors are not plugged together. Something about that causing the connector ends to prematurely wear out. What other things should be avoided?

What can I do post-dive to care for the connectors (apart from a good soak in fresh water)? Should I apply anything to the connector ends to prevent corrosion? Someone suggested Vaseline, but others said not to bother.

Really new to E/O connectors, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

*Ali Fikree* · February 9th, 2012, 02:52 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rainer)

Recently picked up a housing for our camera and we've started to shoot some UW video. I have two Salvo 35W HIDs I've been using for lighting. These are being run off a single 15.6Ah canister (Y-connector with E/O connectors).

Any advice on how best to care for the E/O connectors?

I'm diving in salt water exclusively. I'm often entering the water with the video lights (mounted to the camera) unplugged from the canister (mounted to me). Same for exit (unplugging them and handing up the camera before exiting).

I've heard not to have the canister "on" if the E/O connectors are not plugged together. Something about that causing the connector ends to prematurely wear out. What other things should be avoided?

What can I do post-dive to care for the connectors (apart from a good soak in fresh water)? Should I apply anything to the connector ends to prevent corrosion? Someone suggested Vaseline, but others said not to bother.

Really new to E/O connectors, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Fresh warm water after every dive and leave them disconnected. Use a tooth pick or the other end of a match stick to clean the inside when it gets mucky or green.

rhlee · February 9th, 2012, 03:08 AM

Be careful when unplugging them (pull straight apart as opposed to in more of a "bending" motion).

From time to time as gunk builds up, I let mine soak in a cup of vinegar which seems to be pretty effective at de-gunking

Niko · February 9th, 2012, 06:48 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rainer)

I've heard not to have the canister "on" if the E/O connectors are not plugged together. Something about that causing the connector ends to prematurely wear out. What other things should be avoided?

Not turning "on" while disconnected is very important.

In addition be sure to connect properly (fully closed) to avoid salt water exchange during operations.

JackMac · February 9th, 2012, 08:36 AM

I was advised to keep E/O cords connected to minimise the number of connects/disconnects. Can anyone say with confidence which wears the connectors out faster? - Frequent plugging and unplugging or leaving connected under tension long term?

Thanks,
Jack

johnv · February 9th, 2012, 02:50 PM

Any powered electrical connector will get trashed if left "on" especially in salt water. You can get blank plugs / sockets to seal the powered connector. the battery will discharge through salt water quite quickly.

turn them off or keep them capped at all times when disconnected.

John

thermocad · February 9th, 2012, 03:02 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by johnv)

Any powered electrical connector will get trashed if left "on" especially in salt water. You can get blank plugs / sockets to seal the powered connector. the battery will discharge through salt water quite quickly.

turn them off or keep them capped at all times when disconnected.

John

where do you get the "blank plugs" from??

thanks

Paul Burgess · February 9th, 2012, 11:14 PM

Dive Xtras

Rainer · February 10th, 2012, 04:54 PM

Thanks for all the great info everyone!

Padrao · March 22nd, 2012, 06:31 PM

I have also been using E/O cords in my primary light. I was told to lub the connections with WD40 after each dive. Anyone can confirm it is a good procedure?

February 9th, 2012, 02:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ali Fikree(Offline) Instructor Candidate Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,208	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rainer) Recently picked up a housing for our camera and we've started to shoot some UW video. I have two Salvo 35W HIDs I've been using for lighting. These are being run off a single 15.6Ah canister (Y-connector with E/O connectors). Any advice on how best to care for the E/O connectors? I'm diving in salt water exclusively. I'm often entering the water with the video lights (mounted to the camera) unplugged from the canister (mounted to me). Same for exit (unplugging them and handing up the camera before exiting). I've heard not to have the canister "on" if the E/O connectors are not plugged together. Something about that causing the connector ends to prematurely wear out. What other things should be avoided? What can I do post-dive to care for the connectors (apart from a good soak in fresh water)? Should I apply anything to the connector ends to prevent corrosion? Someone suggested Vaseline, but others said not to bother. Really new to E/O connectors, so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Fresh warm water after every dive and leave them disconnected. Use a tooth pick or the other end of a match stick to clean the inside when it gets mucky or green. __________________ "A community that excludes even one of its members is no community at all." -Dan Wilkins

February 9th, 2012, 06:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Niko(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hannover, Germany Posts: 198	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rainer) I've heard not to have the canister "on" if the E/O connectors are not plugged together. Something about that causing the connector ends to prematurely wear out. What other things should be avoided? Not turning "on" while disconnected is very important. In addition be sure to connect properly (fully closed) to avoid salt water exchange during operations. __________________ trimix-nord.de

February 9th, 2012, 11:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Paul Burgess(Offline) Buzz Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey Posts: 319	Dive Xtras __________________ Committed to Excellence

February 9th, 2012, 02:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rainer(Offline) New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 69	Recently picked up a housing for our camera and we've started to shoot some UW video. I have two Salvo 35W HIDs I've been using for lighting. These are being run off a single 15.6Ah canister (Y-connector with E/O connectors). Any advice on how best to care for the E/O connectors? I'm diving in salt water exclusively. I'm often entering the water with the video lights (mounted to the camera) unplugged from the canister (mounted to me). Same for exit (unplugging them and handing up the camera before exiting). I've heard not to have the canister "on" if the E/O connectors are not plugged together. Something about that causing the connector ends to prematurely wear out. What other things should be avoided? What can I do post-dive to care for the connectors (apart from a good soak in fresh water)? Should I apply anything to the connector ends to prevent corrosion? Someone suggested Vaseline, but others said not to bother. Really new to E/O connectors, so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

February 9th, 2012, 03:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
rhlee(Offline) New Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: CA, USA Posts: 6	Be careful when unplugging them (pull straight apart as opposed to in more of a "bending" motion). From time to time as gunk builds up, I let mine soak in a cup of vinegar which seems to be pretty effective at de-gunking

February 9th, 2012, 08:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
JackMac (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Torbay, UK Posts: 222	I was advised to keep E/O cords connected to minimise the number of connects/disconnects. Can anyone say with confidence which wears the connectors out faster? - Frequent plugging and unplugging or leaving connected under tension long term? Thanks, Jack

February 9th, 2012, 02:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnv(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 10	Any powered electrical connector will get trashed if left "on" especially in salt water. You can get blank plugs / sockets to seal the powered connector. the battery will discharge through salt water quite quickly. turn them off or keep them capped at all times when disconnected. John

February 9th, 2012, 03:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
thermocad(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Midlands Posts: 17	Quote: (Originally Posted by johnv) Any powered electrical connector will get trashed if left "on" especially in salt water. You can get blank plugs / sockets to seal the powered connector. the battery will discharge through salt water quite quickly. turn them off or keep them capped at all times when disconnected. John where do you get the "blank plugs" from?? thanks

February 10th, 2012, 04:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rainer(Offline) New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 69	Thanks for all the great info everyone!

March 22nd, 2012, 06:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Padrao(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Portugal Posts: 16	I have also been using E/O cords in my primary light. I was told to lub the connections with WD40 after each dive. Anyone can confirm it is a good procedure?