locking Fischer connector

OceanOpportunity · 19th February 2008, 14:26

I'm sure this has come up before, but....I have a Shearwater cabe from Tecme. all wired up and ready to go, now here's the question...when I plug into the Shearwater, it seems as through the Fischer connector is simply a plug-in friction fit. THat is it can be pluggued in and pulled out with just a little tension. Is there a way to lock the connector in place, or am I missing something? Seems to be a scary situation as I'd hate to lose my computer while getting on/off the boat.

Divein · 19th February 2008, 14:30

Try this Shearwater Research Inc. - Computers for Diving

FAQs

Stephane · 19th February 2008, 14:50

Fischer connectors won't be unplugged if you pull the cable. You have to hold and pull the connector to unplug it.

OceanOpportunity · 19th February 2008, 14:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divein)

Try this Shearwater Research Inc. - Computers for Diving

FAQs

I had alredy looked at this FAQ, but doesnt sem to apply with my cable setup, as I do not have the 'knurled locking ring' that is referenced. Are the tecme fischer ends a little different?

divetheworld · 19th February 2008, 14:53

The fischer connector has a locking device that only allows it to be released when you pull on the metal casing. Pulling on the cable should not release it.
The cables we sent out to Bruce and our customers has this feature.
We dont use the locking ring any more.

CABLES

Brent

**Gill Envy** · 19th February 2008, 17:16

hello Michael,

The fischer connectors that came with our GF's used a locking, threaded "washer" (I'm sure it has some cool name). Even that has a sketchy feel to it and requires some finess. I can't imagine leaving it to friction to hold it in place but maybe it's one of those connections that relies on the compressing air inside to give it a good seal, like the blanking plug... probably designed to get tighter as you go deeper.

In asking around, I found that pretty much all versions of fischer connectors have a propensity to leak. The only safeguard I've heard of for this is being religious about blowing out the connector with "canned air" after each dive to get any salt water out and applying a small dab of food grade mineral oil to the female connnector and plugging and unplugging the connector to work the oil down into the contacts. Aside from lubricating and protecting the contacts, it stands to displace air inside the connector, which of course is compressible and is what seems to make the connection so vulnerable to ingress. The other thing to keep extra clean and properly lubricated is the "O" ring deep inside the female side, you won't even know it's there till you go looking and it has a reputation for being slacking off at the job.

I've even been told it's commonplace to see a little bit of salt water inside the connector after a dive... which of course doesn't sit well with a guy that has had electronics problems play fowl with two major dive trips already.

that old saying "your chain is only as strong as your weakest link" comes to mind. Why doesn't someone improve on this dodgy connector?

g

narked at 90 · 19th February 2008, 21:37

you are missing a part from the connector that makes it a locking connector,
it is to late to fit it now as i think you will have to dissasemble it totaly....thats if you can get the part needed.
all our cables are locking.
kind regards john routley

Quote: (Originally Posted by OceanOpportunity)

I'm sure this has come up before, but....I have a Shearwater cabe from Tecme. all wired up and ready to go, now here's the question...when I plug into the Shearwater, it seems as through the Fischer connector is simply a plug-in friction fit. THat is it can be pluggued in and pulled out with just a little tension. Is there a way to lock the connector in place, or am I missing something? Seems to be a scary situation as I'd hate to lose my computer while getting on/off the boat.

OceanOpportunity · 20th February 2008, 02:55

ok, from the above responses, seems like there are two versions out there:

1. those that have the locking nut, per Narkedat90

2. a 'new' version (per divetheworld) that does not have a locking nut, but likewise cannot be removed by pulling on the cable alone, it must be pulled from the metal connector.

Mine appears to behave like #2. Is this summation accurate, or does anyone have anything else to add?

**Gill Envy** · 20th February 2008, 04:36

sounds like john is suggesting you are missing a part. a photo might help you get a more decisive answer. I guess the other test is to try and pull it out by pulling on the cable and not the metal casing and seeing if it locks...figure you'd try that but thought i'd throw it out there just in case. if your cable is missing a part, that would suck to find out the hard way.

here is a link to what I believe is the one that I got from bruce, I think it's referred to as the "tamper proof" locking style:
fischer Connectors | Body Styles

you can see the ring tightener. It was recommended to me that you tie a piece of elastic (steel a hair tye from your partner) around the connector end that can easily be slipped in place once the ring is tightened, preventing it from backing out.

perhaps yours is the click lock style:
fischer Connectors | Body Styles

hope that helps!

g

Quote: (Originally Posted by OceanOpportunity)

ok, from the above responses, seems like there are two versions out there:

1. those that have the locking nut, per Narkedat90

2. a 'new' version (per divetheworld) that does not have a locking nut, but likewise cannot be removed by pulling on the cable alone, it must be pulled from the metal connector.

Mine appears to behave like #2. Is this summation accurate, or does anyone have anything else to add?

OceanOpportunity · 20th February 2008, 05:32

here's what I've got (image from tecme website):

as you can see, no locking ring. So, I'm still looking for a moment of clarity...is this missing the locking ring, or is this a slightly different mechanism that doesnt need it?

19th February 2008, 14:26	#1 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 594	locking Fischer connector I'm sure this has come up before, but....I have a Shearwater cabe from Tecme. all wired up and ready to go, now here's the question...when I plug into the Shearwater, it seems as through the Fischer connector is simply a plug-in friction fit. THat is it can be pluggued in and pulled out with just a little tension. Is there a way to lock the connector in place, or am I missing something? Seems to be a scary situation as I'd hate to lose my computer while getting on/off the boat. __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Elected Director, Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments MN'07, The Explorers Club Project Manager, Diving a Dream
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19th February 2008, 14:30	#2 (permalink)
Divein RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 107	Re: locking Fischer connector Try this Shearwater Research Inc. - Computers for Diving FAQs
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19th February 2008, 14:50	#3 (permalink)
Stephane Stéphane Acounis Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nantes - France Posts: 788	Re: locking Fischer connector Fischer connectors won't be unplugged if you pull the cable. You have to hold and pull the connector to unplug it. __________________ Stéphane
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19th February 2008, 14:51	#4 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 594	Re: locking Fischer connector Quote: (Originally Posted by Divein) Try this Shearwater Research Inc. - Computers for Diving FAQs I had alredy looked at this FAQ, but doesnt sem to apply with my cable setup, as I do not have the 'knurled locking ring' that is referenced. Are the tecme fischer ends a little different? __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Elected Director, Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments MN'07, The Explorers Club Project Manager, Diving a Dream
(Offline)

19th February 2008, 14:53	#5 (permalink)
divetheworld Dive porn pimp Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Classic Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 1,636	Re: locking Fischer connector The fischer connector has a locking device that only allows it to be released when you pull on the metal casing. Pulling on the cable should not release it. The cables we sent out to Bruce and our customers has this feature. We dont use the locking ring any more. CABLES Brent __________________ Attitude and self praise is no reccomendation. Dont try to be a great man, just be a man and let history be the judge of you. *WWW.NARKEDAT90.CO.UK* *http://www.grpservices.com/pursuit/* Supporting Shearwater Research Products in Europe Last edited by divetheworld : 19th February 2008 at 15:02.
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19th February 2008, 17:16	#6 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,347	Re: locking Fischer connector hello Michael, The fischer connectors that came with our GF's used a locking, threaded "washer" (I'm sure it has some cool name). Even that has a sketchy feel to it and requires some finess. I can't imagine leaving it to friction to hold it in place but maybe it's one of those connections that relies on the compressing air inside to give it a good seal, like the blanking plug... probably designed to get tighter as you go deeper. In asking around, I found that pretty much all versions of fischer connectors have a propensity to leak. The only safeguard I've heard of for this is being religious about blowing out the connector with "canned air" after each dive to get any salt water out and applying a small dab of food grade mineral oil to the female connnector and plugging and unplugging the connector to work the oil down into the contacts. Aside from lubricating and protecting the contacts, it stands to displace air inside the connector, which of course is compressible and is what seems to make the connection so vulnerable to ingress. The other thing to keep extra clean and properly lubricated is the "O" ring deep inside the female side, you won't even know it's there till you go looking and it has a reputation for being slacking off at the job. I've even been told it's commonplace to see a little bit of salt water inside the connector after a dive... which of course doesn't sit well with a guy that has had electronics problems play fowl with two major dive trips already. that old saying "your chain is only as strong as your weakest link" comes to mind. Why doesn't someone improve on this dodgy connector? g __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°> Last edited by Gill Envy : 19th February 2008 at 17:20.
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19th February 2008, 21:37	#7 (permalink)
narked at 90 John Routley Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: middlands uk Posts: 1,073	Re: locking Fischer connector you are missing a part from the connector that makes it a locking connector, it is to late to fit it now as i think you will have to dissasemble it totaly....thats if you can get the part needed. all our cables are locking. kind regards john routley Quote: (Originally Posted by OceanOpportunity) I'm sure this has come up before, but....I have a Shearwater cabe from Tecme. all wired up and ready to go, now here's the question...when I plug into the Shearwater, it seems as through the Fischer connector is simply a plug-in friction fit. THat is it can be pluggued in and pulled out with just a little tension. Is there a way to lock the connector in place, or am I missing something? Seems to be a scary situation as I'd hate to lose my computer while getting on/off the boat. __________________ *WWW.NARKEDAT90.CO.UK* *http://www.grpservices.com/pursuit/* Supporting Shearwater Research Products in Europe Narked at 90 Go Military
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20th February 2008, 02:55	#8 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 594	Re: locking Fischer connector ok, from the above responses, seems like there are two versions out there: 1. those that have the locking nut, per Narkedat90 2. a 'new' version (per divetheworld) that does not have a locking nut, but likewise cannot be removed by pulling on the cable alone, it must be pulled from the metal connector. Mine appears to behave like #2. Is this summation accurate, or does anyone have anything else to add? __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Elected Director, Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments MN'07, The Explorers Club Project Manager, Diving a Dream
(Offline)

20th February 2008, 04:36	#9 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,347	Re: locking Fischer connector sounds like john is suggesting you are missing a part. a photo might help you get a more decisive answer. I guess the other test is to try and pull it out by pulling on the cable and not the metal casing and seeing if it locks...figure you'd try that but thought i'd throw it out there just in case. if your cable is missing a part, that would suck to find out the hard way. here is a link to what I believe is the one that I got from bruce, I think it's referred to as the "tamper proof" locking style: fischer Connectors \| Body Styles you can see the ring tightener. It was recommended to me that you tie a piece of elastic (steel a hair tye from your partner) around the connector end that can easily be slipped in place once the ring is tightened, preventing it from backing out. perhaps yours is the click lock style: fischer Connectors \| Body Styles hope that helps! g Quote: (Originally Posted by OceanOpportunity) ok, from the above responses, seems like there are two versions out there: 1. those that have the locking nut, per Narkedat90 2. a 'new' version (per divetheworld) that does not have a locking nut, but likewise cannot be removed by pulling on the cable alone, it must be pulled from the metal connector. Mine appears to behave like #2. Is this summation accurate, or does anyone have anything else to add? __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°> Last edited by Gill Envy : 20th February 2008 at 04:56.
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20th February 2008, 05:32	#10 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 594	Re: locking Fischer connector here's what I've got (image from tecme website): as you can see, no locking ring. So, I'm still looking for a moment of clarity...is this missing the locking ring, or is this a slightly different mechanism that doesnt need it? __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Elected Director, Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments MN'07, The Explorers Club Project Manager, Diving a Dream
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