Jump to content

  • These forums are for "after booking" trip communications, socializing, and/or trip questions ONLY.
  • You will NOT be able to book a trip, buy add-ons, or manage your trip by logging in here. Please login HERE to do any of those things.

Photo

Strobe arm squeeks


  • Please log in to reply
7 replies to this topic

#1 Greg@ihpil

Greg@ihpil

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,046 posts
  • Location:West suburb of Chi twn
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:MSD. PADI ,Nitrox -SDI
  • Logged Dives:225

Posted 31 October 2011 - 07:06 PM

I have the Sealife Sl961 Strobe.The arm has been squeeking for some time.Outside of anoying,it scares the fish etc. when approached.I tried a lite spray of veg oil,WD40,some vaseline jell. Nothing I tried seems to work.It seems Ikelite has the same type.After contacting the 2 LDs near by tonight.They couldn't seem to offer any other ideas,other than disassemble & apply some wax..Any other ideas Singledivers???? Help


Greg
: Posted Image
E= pluribus Forum Enjoy the view. ,Do unto others:respect

#2 scubaski

scubaski

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,840 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:ow-aow-ean
  • Logged Dives:400 plus

Posted 31 October 2011 - 07:40 PM

Well, What part of arm squeeks. Suggest you go to large hardwares store and ask the employee for some nylon or plastic washers, my guess is that you can find something to shim between squeeky parts, maybe all you need to do is back off on the pressure of the bolt holding parts together.
Ss
MADRE FELIZ DIA MAMÁ

#3 Greg@ihpil

Greg@ihpil

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,046 posts
  • Location:West suburb of Chi twn
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:MSD. PADI ,Nitrox -SDI
  • Logged Dives:225

Posted 01 November 2011 - 05:59 AM

Well, What part of arm squeeks. Suggest you go to large hardwares store and ask the employee for some nylon or plastic washers, my guess is that you can find something to shim between squeeky parts, maybe all you need to do is back off on the pressure of the bolt holding parts together.
Ss


Thank you Stan...As for the where.. Where the ball & socket are assembled,towards or near the bottom. When was in GCM.I replaced my old strobe(Sl960) with the SL961 & the sales person added the old arm to the new one to give it some length.It was squeeking b/4,just not as much.I'll see if I can losin the bolt...
The only other comment I'd add is ,it appears the squeek is not un-common,according to the LDs ,I called..
Gracias
...

Greg
: Posted Image
E= pluribus Forum Enjoy the view. ,Do unto others:respect

#4 scubaski

scubaski

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,840 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:ow-aow-ean
  • Logged Dives:400 plus

Posted 01 November 2011 - 10:37 AM

my arm ball has 2 washer made from rubber like a thin auto tire, maybe you can make something up...

Edited by scubaski, 01 November 2011 - 10:38 AM.

MADRE FELIZ DIA MAMÁ

#5 Jerrymxz

Jerrymxz

    Gettng to KNow Me

  • Premier Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,369 posts
  • Location:Chambersburg PA
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:PADI Master Diver TDI Extended range
  • Logged Dives:453 LOGGED many not

Posted 01 November 2011 - 04:28 PM

The arms on the DC1200 are a product called LOC-LINE they were originally made to carry coolant to machine tools. they are basically ball and sockets that stack one on top of another. once you move them into place they stay put but are quickly moveable. they are also 100% plastic so there isn't a problem with corrosion. but they are noisy when moved. I have some high tech plastic lubes that i'll try and give you a report. you don't want them too free or they won't stay put or flop around.

Each wreck has a tale to tell about its life and its demise. 

If you are observant while diving in dark places listen to the account each has to tell, You cannot come away unaffected.   
Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude


#6 libra89

libra89

    Meeting folks

  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 181 posts
  • Location:DFW, Texas
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:Master Diver
  • Logged Dives:200+

Posted 02 November 2011 - 09:17 AM

Thanks Jerry, as I was in class with Greg, I was going to elaborate as well that he's using Locline.

I think you are going to find that they are just going to be squeaky. It's a BIG reason why I stopped using mine, particularly with video. Their advantage is the flexibility of position and length (and they are also pretty light in addition to fairly affordable), but I found it uncomfortable to carry to some extent, and I hate the noise. I'm afraid you are going to find this hard to resolve, because as Jerry says, you can't lubricate them to the point of total looseness or you will not have the stiffness the arm requires to support your strobe in position.

You may want to consider switching to the ultralight arms like what I use. They are not cheap, and have a bit of a learning curve since you are going to have to get used to having fixed pivot points, but I like them so much better.

Tina

#7 Greg@ihpil

Greg@ihpil

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,046 posts
  • Location:West suburb of Chi twn
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:MSD. PADI ,Nitrox -SDI
  • Logged Dives:225

Posted 02 November 2011 - 12:18 PM

Thanks Jerry, as I was in class with Greg, I was going to elaborate as well that he's using Locline.

I think you are going to find that they are just going to be squeaky. It's a BIG reason why I stopped using mine, particularly with video. Their advantage is the flexibility of position and length (and they are also pretty light in addition to fairly affordable), but I found it uncomfortable to carry to some extent, and I hate the noise. I'm afraid you are going to find this hard to resolve, because as Jerry says, you can't lubricate them to the point of total looseness or you will not have the stiffness the arm requires to support your strobe in position.

You may want to consider switching to the ultralight arms like what I use. They are not cheap, and have a bit of a learning curve since you are going to have to get used to having fixed pivot points, but I like them so much better.

Tina


Thank you Tina,
If I had known then in class what was to become,I would have probably done the Ikelite.I finally called Sealife direct & there sending a replacement to my LDS. I can only hope this one is less noisey I did look into the Ultra light arm.Can they be adapted to my set up or Mfgr.? For now I'll wait & see .With the Our World Underwater Show in Feb. around the corner .I can check out the Ultralite then...I just want to get thru my Curcao trip in 2 weeks.Hope to see some Seahorses..Polish my Macro shot's....Way to go Tina....

Greg
: Posted Image
E= pluribus Forum Enjoy the view. ,Do unto others:respect

#8 libra89

libra89

    Meeting folks

  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 181 posts
  • Location:DFW, Texas
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:Master Diver
  • Logged Dives:200+

Posted 02 November 2011 - 02:20 PM

Unless your LDS is very well versed in Underwater Photo equipment, I'd probably seek guidance on that elsewhere. I suppose anyone can get you parts, but I personally would seek help from an UW Photography specialty store like Backscatter or Reef Photo and Video. I have worked with both, and both are very helpful over the phone. Because I am very close to Backscatter East (in Derry, NH) a handful of times a year, Fred at that shop has become kind of a go-to guy for me. He knows his stuff, knows the options, and is honest. While an LDS can get you some help with anything they choose to carry, a true photo shop is going to be a more well rounded perspective on what you can get that will work.

Meaning, I bet your LDS sells SeaLife stuff, but it might be stretching it to assume they are very well versed in photography equipment. I could, of course, be all wet (pun intended) and they might be very expert, but in my experience they are generalists and not specialists when it comes to photo gear. They carry it because people will buy it from them, but I doubt you will get much more than the basics.




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users