Nauticam Vacuum Check and Leak Detection System

New System Announced to Confirm Watertight Integrity Before Entering the Water

By Brent Durand, October 30, 2013

Nauticam has announced a brand new system for alerting divers of housing leaks before and after entering the water. The system is comprehensive, meaning that it uses pressure inside the housing to detect possible leaks before diving, and also a traditional leak detector in case moisture does touch the sensor contacts once the housing is submerged. The color code system is easy to understand, with blue meaning safe, yellow meaning a pressure difference and red meaning moisture at the leak detector contacts.

The valve that sticks up from the housing is not too bulky and well worth the confidence it inspires. Nauticam has also taken temperature into account so that when divers put together the housing in an air-conditioned room then step into the heat outside there will not be a false alarm (since air expands when heated). Cool!

Estimated ship date is November 4, 2013.

Press Release:

Nauticam is pleased to announce an exceptionally comprehensive vacuum system that allows the underwater photographer to confirm watertight integrity before entering the water. This system provides additional peace of mind with expensive camera equipment and should mean fewer lost dives due to minor equipment issues.

The system is comprised of two parts, a one way vacuum valve and an electronic monitoring circuit.

Monitoring Circuit

The electronic monitoring circuit is compactly integrated into the housing's leak detector, where it constantly measures the vacuum level and reports its status via a multi-color LED easily visible on the rear of the housing. This sophisticated circuit has an advanced temperature compensation capability, so changes in ambient temperature or changes in internal temperature won't cause a false positive.
 
Starting with NA-70D for Canon 70D, all new Nauticam DSLR and Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera housing models will ship with the electronic monitoring circuit installed as standard equipment. Vacuum valves are sold as optional equipment, allowing the user to customize the housing accessory configuration as needed.

Understanding the LED color codes is very easy. At ambient pressure, the LED slowly blinks blue. When a solid vacuum is achieved, the LED changes to a solid green, indicating system integrity. If the vacuum starts to degrade, the LED begins to flash yellow, and if water intrusion is detected, the LED flashes red, and the audible alarm is sounded. 
 
Retrofits for existing housings are available starting November 4, 2013. Contact your local Nauticam dealer for details.

Vacuum Valve

The second component of this system is a one way vacuum valve, which is available in several styles to support various housing configurations. These Vacuum Valves contain an integrated vacuum release, and a redundant waterproof cap. No tools are required to open the housing after creating a vacuum, as the vacuum is released with a simple knurled nut.

The basic valve uses a hand pump to create the vacuum, but a more advanced Dual Activation vacuum valve is also available. The Dual Activation Valve accepts a BCD Low Pressure Inflator Hose quick disconnect, and uses tank pressure to create a Venturi effect that pulls the vacuum. This is recommended for housings like Nauticam's DCES for RED EPIC and SCARLET where the internal volume of the housing makes using a hand pump impractical.

"Offset" Extension Valves are used when a housing has a single accessory hole, but requires both a Vacuum Valve and electrical bulkhead to be installed in the same location. This will enable most housings to be able to utilize this valuable tool.

All vacuum valves also include a hand pump and spanner tool for installing valves.

The Bottom Line

This new system is the most advanced integrity check system available today, and the only one with integrated leak detection and temperature compensation. With it's intuitive multi-colored LED status codes, the underwater photographer can now be assured with a simple glance that the watertight integrity of the housing is secure.

All valves include a hand pump and installation tool at no charge.

Estimated Shipping Date: Nov 4, 2013

More information is available from Nauticam USA at:
http://www.nauticamusa.com

Further Reading

• Nauticam Announces Housing for Canon 70D

• Easy Ways to Eliminate Backscatter in your Photos

• Photo Essay: Training Sharks to Eat Invasive Lionfish

Where to Buy

Please support the Underwater Photography Guide by purchasing your underwater photography gear through our sister site, Bluewater Photo & Video. Click, or call them at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!