5
HDPE parts. If you do mangle any part, like if you wreck your car or something,
send it in to be welded back together - either version.
Motor Connections
When checking connections under the motor lid, be sure to not try to tighten
them without holding both sides of the fitting (remember they are threaded, and
tightening the gold nuts will turn the gold fitting the other way unless held.) Make
sure these fittings are tight so there is no intermittence in the scooter. If there is,
this is the problem.
Nose O-Ring
The nose o-ring should be left out when not in use to reduce risk of hydrogen
buildup if the batteries offgas. The ring should not be put in within an hour of
charging. When you get out of the water, take out the ring. What happens is that
if hydrogen comes out of the battery through its vents, as it does when charging
or really at any time it wants to where the reaction gets behind, it builds pressure
in the sealed scooter and could possible find its way past the double O-ring seal
on the motor compartment lid.
O-Rings - Motor Compartment
The O-rings in the motor compartment are numbers 252 and 256 for the HDPE
and 252 and 256 for the PVC version, or both can be 256 on the PVC version for
a tighter fit for the double seal. These are the only rings you should ever grease
(silicone - but do not use spray or hydrocarbon sprays as the propellant could
ignite later when you start the motor), but the main thing is to be sure the O-rings
are "alive" and not "dead" (not flat or losing their resilience). and that there is
nothing on them that would cause them to leak.
Be sure the lid is all the way down before use. When putting the lid on, it must go
down evenly and not extrude the ring anyplace - you must feel no springing
action at all. It is easier to get it all the way down if you remove the port plug first,
and then put the plug back in after the lid is secure. On the HDPE version, the fit
is even tighter so it is harder to get the lid in all the way. This is critical , so be
sure it is in and sealed.
You should periodically check this compartment with a vacuum hand pump to be
sure of its integrity (see FAQ on Vacuum / Pressure Test). You should remove
the access port plug after dives and hold the tail upside down to check for water
and to observe any other problems. The motor should NEVER get hot. If it does,
there is a problem. If the motor gets hot, it will expand the air and push the lid off.
To help ensure that the motor does not get hot, observe the following:
•
DO NOT spray any conductive lubricant into the motor
•
DO - Dive a streamlined gear configuration and maintain proper body
position to keep from giving the scooter too much drag for the prop setting.
Gavin Scooter User’s Manual and FAQ (
George Irvine 2002)
