Headphone's Connector Build, Maybe

[Skull diver]

I apologize if I open an exclusive post here, but I probably don't know how to use the forum search tool properly.

After a few months of underwater use, although I am pleased with the Manticore in terms of pressure holding, the headset is unfortunately a sore point, as it always has been for heavy use underwater, on any detector.

The damned audio connector we find on Eqx - X-Terra and Manticore continues to be a hindrance to building new wiring and repairing entirely what rots from saltwater seepage.

I found only this 3D printed piece on the net that is supposed to house the 3.5mm jack and then be cast in resin to achieve an IPx8 standard.

I have also tracked down a user who modified the audio jack plug, here on the forum, but I remain in doubt whether to proceed to drill out the original one behind the control pod.

Has anyone discovered a viable alternative in building this connector?

I thank you

[Yatahaze323]

Are you talking about the audio connector on the manticore itself or the headphones?

I'd be thinking that coating all of the connector and threading in dielectric grease would be the best way to prevent corrosion.  And periodically clean it off and reapplying it.

[Skull diver]

3 hours ago, Yatahaze323 said:

Are you talking about the audio connector on the manticore itself or the headphones?

Actually, a combination of both.

Due to the hard "to find" connector, one is forced to use the Minelab's Koss... Knowing so well the pain involved, I ended up to build myself headphones to replace like underwear.

This is cause there's absolutely no time to waste when some are malfunctioning or muted at all and this happens more abyd more frequently as You hunt under the surface like me.

It follows that having three spare headphones, (about 500 bucks saved) I need to prepare three IPx8 connectors.

I still have in use the first pair that I created by taking advantage of the Minelab adapter cable from the 105s, but it was not a great idea, considering that it costs a lot of money.

[pjrough]

Hi,

I manufactured a couple of these connectors using an 8-pin Amphenol M12 connector and a standard 3.5mm jack.

It is time-demanding but not too difficult.

You'll have to drill out all pins from the M12 and invert the 3.5 mm jack, which fits just perfect. Once done, the connector should be epoxy filled.

Let me post some pictures from the video I have.

[Skull diver]

1 hour ago, pjrough said:

Amphenol M12 connector

I've done something similar for my Ctx with the metal type... Surprisingly lot of cable glands are with the wrong thread of 1.5 instead of 1 so I skipped the idea.

There's indeed no other way than to use an M12 and dismantle it to house the jack.

Funny thing is, I've done already the proces on an old Minelab/Koss connector and just drilling, it crashed almost completely, not just the pins😑... Sometimes I think about how cheap it can be every single component they use when building one of our expensive toys.

Pissed as usual, Skull🤣

 

[pjrough]

Metal gland Amphenol is no go. They use zinc part which is not salt water resistant. Plastic is our best choice.

8 pin Amphenol connector has a central hole that can be used as a pilot hole. You just have to take out the pins.

 

By the way, there are couple of adapters available. The first one is from ebay the second is available from Minelab ->

 

 

[Yatahaze323]

I did something similar when I first wanted to try out water detecting. But I didn't do as nice of a job as pjrough.

I used a waterproof m12 connector, yanked the pins just like pjrough and then I just drilled out the plastic, slid the headphone jack through it and then glued it all together with epoxy.  I did a real hack job on it, but it kept the water out and it was cheap!

But still use dielectric grease on all your connectors, they'll last longer.

[Skull diver]

7 hours ago, pjrough said:

the second is available from Minelab ->

This is my setup right now, being so easy to cut and solder to piezos, I started to produce replacement headsets since day one.

Interesting how easy and fast that thing rusts by the way 😑...So You're absolutely right in the use of plastic type Amphenol.

🙏🏼 

[pjrough]

6 hours ago, Skull diver said:

This is my setup right now, being so easy to cut and solder to piezos, I started to produce replacement headsets since day one.

Interesting how easy and fast that thing rusts by the way 😑...So You're absolutely right in the use of plastic type Amphenol.

🙏🏼

you can rely on minelab in this particular case. Tested that one as well, it holds up against the salt water very well.