E/O Connectors and salt water?

Joe Hesketh · December 19th, 2005, 03:59 PM

Hi

Has anyone any experience of using wetmate E/O connectors successfully in salt water?

I am toying with the idea of installing these to be able to switch a single lighthead between different canisters for different applications, but seem to remember that there might be concerns over their suitability outside of a freshwater environment and/or general concerns about the quality of the cable compared to a regular cord?

Any thoughts or experiences welcome.

Thanks
Joe

***ericfine50*** · December 19th, 2005, 04:06 PM

I used them for 5 years and never had any problems. Want you want to do is apply a light coat of silicone to the pins and if you don't have to take them apart, don't. Each time you disconnect, you are splaying tiny internal connectors. To correct this, just take a hammer and hit each side of the WetMate. That basically re-sets them.

I also would take a wrap of quality electrical tape around the two connectors.

Joe Hesketh · December 20th, 2005, 12:50 PM

Thanks Eric

And the connectors - where do you position those, near to the ballast or nearer the can? I guess if you had the system so as to be able to carry a backup slug then the former, but I don't intend to do this?

Cheers
Joe

***ericfine50*** · December 20th, 2005, 02:19 PM

I had a longer cord coming from the canister and the "short" side on the lighthead. That is up to you really. You may want it more in the middle if you plan on going to video lights and the lightheads have longer tails.

Jack · December 21st, 2005, 04:26 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50)

I used them for 5 years and never had any problems. Want you want to do is apply a light coat of silicone to the pins and if you don't have to take them apart, don't. Each time you disconnect, you are splaying tiny internal connectors. To correct this, just take a hammer and hit each side of the WetMate. That basically re-sets them.

I also would take a wrap of quality electrical tape around the two connectors.

Ditto ......silcone is the man for this.

Cali · December 21st, 2005, 04:43 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Joe Hesketh)

Hi

Has anyone any experience of using wetmate E/O connectors successfully in salt water?

I am toying with the idea of installing these to be able to switch a single lighthead between different canisters for different applications, but seem to remember that there might be concerns over their suitability outside of a freshwater environment and/or general concerns about the quality of the cable compared to a regular cord?

Any thoughts or experiences welcome.

Thanks
Joe

Joe,

I have the same setup (for the same reasons) and have been using it successfully in salt water environments.

With respect to the length of the cord ends. The cord connected to my lighthead is shorter than the cord connected to the cannister. Let me know if you'd like to see a picture to ascertain connector positioning.

Cheers,

Cali

Joe Hesketh · December 21st, 2005, 07:19 PM

Thanks for all the info guys, think I might go with this option.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Cali)

With respect to the length of the cord ends. The cord connected to my lighthead is shorter than the cord connected to the cannister. Let me know if you'd like to see a picture to ascertain connector positioning.

I was thinking about 3-4 inches back from the ballast (a long-ish 21W Salvo), but would be interested to see how you have it.

Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50)

You may want it more in the middle if you plan on going to video lights and the lightheads have longer tails.

Don't tempt me, my bank manager wouldn't like it :D

December 19th, 2005, 03:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joe Hesketh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 657	E/O Connectors and salt water? Hi Has anyone any experience of using wetmate E/O connectors successfully in salt water? I am toying with the idea of installing these to be able to switch a single lighthead between different canisters for different applications, but seem to remember that there might be concerns over their suitability outside of a freshwater environment and/or general concerns about the quality of the cable compared to a regular cord? Any thoughts or experiences welcome. Thanks Joe

December 21st, 2005, 04:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jack(Offline) Paddy Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dublin Posts: 198	Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50) I used them for 5 years and never had any problems. Want you want to do is apply a light coat of silicone to the pins and if you don't have to take them apart, don't. Each time you disconnect, you are splaying tiny internal connectors. To correct this, just take a hammer and hit each side of the WetMate. That basically re-sets them. I also would take a wrap of quality electrical tape around the two connectors. Ditto ......silcone is the man for this. __________________ Jack www.dublinbaydiving.com

December 21st, 2005, 04:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cali(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 45	Quote: (Originally Posted by Joe Hesketh) Hi Has anyone any experience of using wetmate E/O connectors successfully in salt water? I am toying with the idea of installing these to be able to switch a single lighthead between different canisters for different applications, but seem to remember that there might be concerns over their suitability outside of a freshwater environment and/or general concerns about the quality of the cable compared to a regular cord? Any thoughts or experiences welcome. Thanks Joe Joe, I have the same setup (for the same reasons) and have been using it successfully in salt water environments. With respect to the length of the cord ends. The cord connected to my lighthead is shorter than the cord connected to the cannister. Let me know if you'd like to see a picture to ascertain connector positioning. Cheers, Cali __________________ www.southernoceanexploration.com

December 19th, 2005, 04:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
*ericfine50*(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA Posts: 622	I used them for 5 years and never had any problems. Want you want to do is apply a light coat of silicone to the pins and if you don't have to take them apart, don't. Each time you disconnect, you are splaying tiny internal connectors. To correct this, just take a hammer and hit each side of the WetMate. That basically re-sets them. I also would take a wrap of quality electrical tape around the two connectors.

December 20th, 2005, 12:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Joe Hesketh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 657	Thanks Eric And the connectors - where do you position those, near to the ballast or nearer the can? I guess if you had the system so as to be able to carry a backup slug then the former, but I don't intend to do this? Cheers Joe

December 20th, 2005, 02:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
*ericfine50*(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA Posts: 622	I had a longer cord coming from the canister and the "short" side on the lighthead. That is up to you really. You may want it more in the middle if you plan on going to video lights and the lightheads have longer tails.

December 21st, 2005, 07:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Joe Hesketh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 657	Thanks for all the info guys, think I might go with this option. Quote: (Originally Posted by Cali) With respect to the length of the cord ends. The cord connected to my lighthead is shorter than the cord connected to the cannister. Let me know if you'd like to see a picture to ascertain connector positioning. I was thinking about 3-4 inches back from the ballast (a long-ish 21W Salvo), but would be interested to see how you have it. Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50) You may want it more in the middle if you plan on going to video lights and the lightheads have longer tails. Don't tempt me, my bank manager wouldn't like it :D