Ikelite modular ports

Guys (And girls?)

I am off on a photo course with a certain Mr Edge on Thursday. This will be the first time I have got my housing wet (IKE D90)

I am having problems with the modular ports though.

When I put them together, they screw on very easily (obviously a bit of friction as the o-ring goes in) but then they will not unscrew.

I am not forcing them, quite the opposite, I keep screwing until I feel a bit of resistance, then BANG, they are stuck together. In some cases the difference between 'unscrewable' and 'stuck fast' is about 2mm (no idea what that is in Imperial, maybe just a little bigger than 1/16").

I have tried all sorts to unscrew them, and just cannot get enough grip on the extension and flat port (even tried wearing rubber gloves). I'm 6ft3 as well, so when I say stuck I mean stuck!

In the end, I have to grip one end gently in a vice.

This happens with all the port bodies and extensions, plus the flat port. The 8" dome is OK, as I can get more leverage with that (grip dome in knees and turn port body)

Anybody else have this problem? Or even better any solutions? I've just dropped Ikelite an email as well, but not sure how quick they deal with them.

I have decided, for now, the best solution is to leave them ever so slightly backed off (1/8 turn) but it is very easy to screw them on the tiny touch too far.

Thanks in advance

Sean

They can be a bit tough although yours certainly sound worse than mine. I pack a rubber strap wrench in my kit just in case.

Buy a set of cheap plastic strap wrenches with rubber straps. They are one of my favorite dive tools for ports, lights and the like that get stuck. You might try a little silicone grease on the threads as well.

Jack

Ikelite supply a rubber strap wrench, but it hasn't been much use:( Might just buy a pair of half decent ones (of there is such a thing).

I've already greased the threads, and it's genuine Ikelite silicone.

Hmm, maybe I just need to HTFU and go gorilla style on them:D

Cheers for the replies chaps

~EDITED to add - Ikelite just came back to me (within an hour, excellent service) and said the same thing, rubber strap wrech. Guess what I'm doing at lunchtime tomorrow

You can get packs of strap wrenches that have different sizes in them. The large one can be used to hold the dome, and then use one of the smaller ones to unscrew the body. Sometimes its still not easy, but it gets you there better than using your hands! : )

You can get packs of strap wrenches that have different sizes in them. The large one can be used to hold the dome, and then use one of the smaller ones to unscrew the body. Sometimes its still not easy, but it gets you there better than using your hands! : )

Yep,

Rubber strap wrenches are the way forward.....

You can pick them up for about 6 quid from and hardware store or ebay....

Duncan

I'm using some silicone in the threads, and when removing them, more going with the back and forth (clockwise and anti-clockwise) rocking motion rather then a straight clockwise movement. With the flat port, I also always put on the thick silicon lenscap that came with the port, to get better grip.

/Björn

I use a pair of receiver gloves to do it, gives me the traction to loosen them by hand...works everytime

If you're in the US it shouldn't be a problem to get a pair of Football receiver gloves...

Hi, I use the rubber/plastic strap wrenches. Maplin's in the UK sell them in the three pack quite cheaply (Rolson brand). They don't weigh much to pack for travelling.

Mark