AS3 not vacume sealed from the depot......

Hightower · Post by **Hightower** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 9:03 pm

Both my AS3's have been opened up by me/others, and is no longer intrinsicatly safe anymore. I know others are in the same situation who had their AS3 opened, and not vacume sealed per /\/\otorola specs.

Question is, how water proof is a AS3 that is no longer vacumed sealed like the factory does?

Thanks guys

mancow · Post by **mancow** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 9:38 pm

Unless it's an R model II, I don't think it's water sealed at all from the first place. Right?

mancow

wiliki46 · Post by **wiliki46** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 10:25 pm

Well, R models are pressurized. There is no vacuum seal. A vaccum seal woud invite water to get if a radio were dunked. As for non R models the water seal is kind of like a water resistant watch. The radio will take the occasional light splash and such. Wipe it off quickly. My ASIII has taken some light rain with no problems. Just remember to wipe down the radio dry as soon as possible after getting wet. If water is going to be a real problem go get an R case and have it pressurized. Hope this helps.

Hightower · Post by **Hightower** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 12:27 pm

Maybe vacume seal was the wrong word/term......

OK, so then only the "R" versions are waterproof - actually twice the stringent requirments of US MIL-STD810C.

So its safe to say my NON "R" AS3 is only water resistant

My AS3 UHF fell into 3 feet of water for 2-3 seconds two days ago. My HT1250 fell into 3 inches of water for 2-3 seconds as well about an hour later. After drying both radio off with paper towel, I opened them and they both were 100% dry. I kept them both apart untill the next day, and the humidity level dropped off to reassemble them.

Three cheers to /\/\otorola for a decently watertight AS3, HT1250

.....till the next storm.........

mancow · Post by **mancow** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 2:32 pm

Can anyone actually define what they mean by pressurized?

Is there actually a device to add the pressure somewhere?

It appears to me that the battery acts like a plunger when installed and forces air into the case through the small hole in the bottom.
I've never been able to confirm if that is all the pressurization cosists of or if there's more to it.

mancow

Post by **xmo** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 5:04 pm

Servicing these radios requires a kit that includes a vacuum pump, a pressure pump, a gage, a hose, and a fitting to attach to the radio. There are specific re-assembly procedures that involve pulling a vacuum on the radio and seeing how it holds. If it doesn't hold well enough - they want you to pressurize the radio and stick it in a tank of water. The bubbles tell you where you have a seal problem!

Scary process.