HugyCheck in Ike housing??

Thanks

I have done some work on the electronics and the check valve. Can you share any information as to the battery operated vacuum? Like where to get it, what it was used for or model number etc.

Well this thread has been quite for a while. I have found the connector to be used and have a few on order as well as some of the electronic parts. Anyone have any ideas on a battery operated vacuum?

Well this thread has been quite for a while. I have found the connector to be used and have a few on order as well as some of the electronic parts. Anyone have any ideas on a battery operated vacuum?

Discontinued Reynolds "Handi Vac". Runs on 6 replaceable AA alkaline batteries and pulls 19 inch Hg vacuum. Ebay listings start as low as $3.00.

[http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/handi_vac/en/home.asp]

- Bo

Hi Everyone

Well it's been a while since I have posted a update. I have been busy skiing and shoveling snow but I did find some time to work on the project. I have assembled the prototype and needed to make some changes to the original schematic. After the modifications it works great. I now have to run those modifications past the EE who is working with me on the project and then we will go on to the next step of making it small and using surface mount chips.

This section is a area inviting comments and feedback. Without getting too much into the details of how things work I will attempt to describe the circuit as well as it's functions. One of the concerns when designing the project was power consumption as well as space required as we already have the connection to the housing solved. We have a power saving feature installed that will really extend the length of the battery life. My minimum requirements were to be able to run on one battery for 12 hours a day for at least 7 days on a single coin cell. After all coin cells are not that expensive.

The circuit also contains a moisture sensor. With a good battery, anytime there is water in the housing you will get a red flashing alarm regardless if you are in power-saving mode or not. The unit will automatically come out of power-saver mode as we didn't want any manual switches etc.

If you have less than 2" of vacuum in the housing then you will be in power saving mode.

If you have from 2" to 8" of vacuum in the housing then you will see a rapid flashing red alarm.

If you have from 8" to 10" of vacuum in the housing then you will see a slow flashing red alarm.

If you have from 10" to 12" of vacuum in the housing then you will see a solid green safe light.

The way I figure it if you have a lose of vacuum you have a problem !!!!!

I am open to ideas and suggestions in this area.

More updates to follow.

Bill Libecap

I think this is what you are looking for:

http://www.scubasupport.nl/webshop/PRODUCT...elite-huis.html

Bill,

I think this would be a great invention. I am looking forward to watching it's development.

Don

Here is a quick update on the project. We have the circuit design complete and working. I have purchased the surface mount components as well as the PCB for 25 initial units. We have assembled, tested and calibrated three units for testing purposes are currently in the testing process with two units for testing and a spare. After 1 week of diving we haven't seen any problems or had any failures in either of the two test units. It is a very reassuring feeling to look down at the housing or in the eyepiece and see the little green (I'm OK) led flashing.

Some updates on the unit. The size is 1" X 1.5" and about 3/8 inch thick including the battery. If you don't have that much room there ia a option for a remote battery that would cut the thickness in 1/2. We have the current units installed in a Ikelite housing for a Nikon D90 and a Sea&Sea housing for a Nikon D300.

We are still working out the installation procedures as well as the options and cost but re still on target for a complete setup to be in the range of $500 or less. All of the external fittings are stainless steel and the battery is a very readily available 2032 coin cell. The board has the options for two red (danger low vacuum) led's as well as two green (I'm OK, safe vacuum & dry) led's. The board also incorporates a moisture sensor that overrides the vacuum led's.

I don't see any reason that this system couldn't be incorporated in a video housing as well as a still camera housing. As stated earlier in this thread the design is proprietary and the PCB assembly is made of surface mount components so that will only be sold as a assembly. The blocking plug for the vacuum fitting is custom made but all the other parts (vacuum fitting, vacuum pump and inlet connector) are available over the counter. We hope to be able to start delivery of parts kits as well as preform turn key installs in August.

If you are interested or have questions please feel free to ask and I will try my best to get back to you.

Bill - I removed your latest post in this thread, but kept the identical post in the other thread (no cross-posting, please). Also, we have a new policy concerning commercial solicitation in the forums. I'm excited about your project, but the last part of the latest post in this thread starts to cross the line.

Please read this thread for more information:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=36639

We are always happy to post about new products on the home page.

Has there been any new info on this? Post mentions that it should be available in August. Did anything happen?

We decided to go the commercial route. More information can be found here

http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/underwater-...housing-sentry/