iXBlue GAPS, User Manual

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GAPS
-
User Guide
10 Maintenance
10.1 Preventive Maintenance
10.1.1 G
ENERAL
R
ECOMMENDATIONS
GAPS has been designed to avoid as much as possible any preventive maintenance
operation.
Nevertheless, GAPS has to be used with the usual precautions as for any other underwater
equipment:
● Rinsing : Each time GAPS has been used in salted water, it must be thoroughly rinsed
with fresh water.
● Check dive : If GAPS is permanently immersed in salty water. Make sure to regularly
send a diver check for signs of corrosion on the antenna housing every two to six months
depending on water temperature.
● Hydrophones caps : GAPS must be handled with great care, especially concerning the
hydrophones. Remove these caps before deploying GAPS antenna. As soon as GAPS is
not any more in the water, the hydrophone protective caps must be put in place.
● Hydrophones :
> Do not paint hydrophones with traditional painting
> Do not use metallic instruments to clean hydrophones
> Do not use water with pressure to clean hydrophones
> Do not use solvent
> To limit growth on hydrophones we recommend to use International TRILUX 33 or
SigmaCoatings blue Sigma-glide (we didn't characterized yet the impact on reception
but it should be limited)
Avoid transmitting acoustically with GAPS in the air.
● Connector greasing : Spray silicone grease LOCTITE 8021 must be regularly applied on
the male and female part of the SUBCONN connector.
● Dummy Plug : When the cable is not connected to GAPS, make sure to use the dummy
plug to protect the cable termination.
Figure 76 - GAPS cable dummy plug
● Handling : The best way to carry GAPS is to hold it by the upper disc in one hand and one
of the arms in the other hand.
156 MU-GAPS-AN-005-H - November 2019