Gates ALEXA 35 Setup, Use And Care Manual
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Gates ALEXA 35 Setup, Use And Care Manual

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Introducing the ALEXA 35 Housing
Page 1
ALEXA 35 Underwater Housing

Setup, Use, and Care Guide

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Summary of Contents for Gates ALEXA 35

  • Page 1: Setup, Use, And Care Guide

    Introducing the ALEXA 35 Housing Page 1 ALEXA 35 Underwater Housing Setup, Use, and Care Guide...
  • Page 2 Introducing the ALEXA 35 Housing Page 2 Copyright 2022, Gates Underwater Products, Inc. Last document revision: 12-4-2022 Photos © Gates Underwater Products This manual and current revision is available in 8.5 x 11 size and full color at: http://www.gateshousings.com/documentation.html Gates Underwater Products, Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Introducing the ALEXA 35 Housing Page 3 Table of Contents Setup, Use, and Care Guide ..........1 Introducing the ALEXA 35 Housing ........4 Features ................4 Warranty Disclaimer ............4 ARRI Items Required ............5 Unpacking ALEXA 35 Housing ......... 6 Cautions ................

  • Page 4: 1: Introducing The Alexa 35 Housing

    (e.g. your camera and lenses) under any circumstance. We warrant the ALEXA 35 Housing as an image acquisition tool for a period of 2 years. The Seal Check unit is warranted for 1 year. Optics (Dome and Flat ports) are warranted for a period of 1 year or 100 hours salt water contact, whichever comes first.

  • Page 5: Arri Items Required

    Introducing the ALEXA 35 Housing Page 5 ARRI Items Required The following items are required to operate the ALEXA 35 Camera Housing and are not included with the camera housing: ✓ ARRI ALEXA 35 Camera. ✓ GPB-1 GPIO Box (Item # K2.0007642).

  • Page 6: Unpacking Alexa 35 Housing

    Page 6 Unpacking ALEXA 35 Housing After removing the ALEXA 35 Housing from its shipping container, carefully inpsect it for mssing parts or damage that may have occurred in shipment. If you discover discrepancies, contact Gates or your Gates dealer.

  • Page 7: 2: Cautions

    USER RESPONSIBILITY. This Setup, Use and Care guide contains important detailed procedures for setup and use of the ALEXA 35 Housing. It is the user’s responsibility to read, understand and employ these procedures. Failure to do so can result in poor or non-operation of the housing and may void your warranty.

  • Page 8: 3: Alexa 35 Housing Setup

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 8 3: ALEXA 35 Housing Setup ALEXA 35 Housing Preparation ✓ Port. Remove the Port by rotating 90 degrees while facing the front of the housing. Pull the port away from the Port Ring.  TIP: Liberal lubrication of the Port o-ring allows easier rotation during installation/removal.
  • Page 9 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 9 ✓ Port Rings. Your housing, if upgraded from the Gates MINI Housing, may utilize conventional Port Rings (vs Stackable Port Rings, found in the next section). To remove, release the port lock on the lower left side of the housing, and then rotate 90°...
  • Page 10 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 10 ✓ Stackable Port Rings SPR’s. New or upgraded ALEXA 35 Housings will have SPR’s. SPR port locks are on either left or right side of the SPR. Release the port lock on the side of the SPR, and then rotate 90° CCW and pulling forward.
  • Page 11 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 11 ✓ Port Base. Remove 4 screws/washers, then the Port Base. Remove 4 screws and washers, then the Port Base. ✓ Rear Shell removal. Release three (3) latches by depressing the lock and pulling up on the latch. Once released the rear shell will remove freely.
  • Page 12 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 12 ✓ Camera Dovetail Mount Removal. Rotate the lever lock until the Camera Mount is loose. The lock lever is a ratcheting type: pull out to place in a new position to continue loosening. Slide the camera mount to the rear and free of the housing.

  • Page 13: Alexa 35 Camera Preparation

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 13 ALEXA 35 Camera Preparation ✓ Camera Basics. Strip down the ALEXA 35 to the bare camera body. Remove the following items: ✓ Antenna ✓ Any additional mounts or brackets ✓ Camera Lens The only items remaining are camera, B-mount adapter, and battery (CORE-SWX HELIX shown).

  • Page 14: Gpio Assignable Setup

    Page 14 GPIO Assignable Setup ✓ The ALEXA 35 Housing has 12 assignable GPIO buttons located on the side of the housing. Use your Arri Viewfinder to assign the desired function to each button. Please refer to your ARRI Mini camera manual for a list of assignable functions.
  • Page 15 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 15 ✓ Use the ALEXA 35 side panel or viewfinder to configure the camera's assignable buttons. The pictures bellow illustrate how to setup the user assignable functions. A full list of assignable functions is found on the Gates website: https://www.gateshousings.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ARRI-ALEXA-Mini-...

  • Page 16: Camera Installation

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 16 Camera Installation ✓ Camera Bridgeplate Installation. Mount the ALEXA 35 camera to the Bridgeplate Adapter with the four supplied screws. Install 4 screws to secure the mount to the camera. Note: ALEXA Mini Camera shown ✓...
  • Page 17 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 17 ✓ Insert the Monitor Cable into the housing. Refer to the Monitor Mount / Video Connections section of this manual for details. ✓ Insert Camera into housing. Gently slide the camera fully forward on the housing dovetail.

  • Page 18: Cable Connections

    Prior to closing the housing shell, the following cable connections must be made: ✓ GPIO / Record. The 4-way GPIO cable connects the GPIO box to the ALEXA 35 camera. It also connects to the housing's run stop switch. See cable diagram below for details.

  • Page 19: Lens Gear Drives (Lgd's)

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 19 Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s) The ALEXA 35 includes three LGD’s – 2x CCW and 1x CW. ✓ General Notes. This section addresses the installation of three LGD’s – 1 x CCW (Counter Clock Wise) and 2 x CW (Clock Wise).
  • Page 20 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 20 The sequence of tightening screws on the LGD’s is important. ✓ Step 1. Tighten the LGD mount screw securing it to the guide bar. Critical: the drive shaft/gear hub must be centered with the opening on the bracket.
  • Page 21 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 21 ✓ Verify Operation. Once positioned and secured, check operation of the Focus, Iris and Zoom controls. They should rotate freely – but with slight resistance – in both directions and through the entire range of travel. If not, repeat steps 1-3.
  • Page 22 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 22 Check Operation At this point check operation of the system before closing the shell and installing the Port Base, Port Rings and Ports. Power on the camera and check the following: ✓ Clear Image on External Monitor. (See separate SU&C guide for more details on the External Monitor) ✓...

  • Page 23: Port Base, Port And Port Rings

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 23 Port Base, Port and Port Rings ✓ Inspection. Before installing the Port Base, Port and Port Rings, visually inspect the o-rings for dirt or other foreign matter that may compromise the seals. Do the same with the Front Shell face (where the Port Base mates) and Port bore where the o-rings seal.
  • Page 24 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 24 Lubrication. Lubricate the yellow Port o-ring with silicone grease. Also liberally lubricate the Port bore. This will greatly aid installation of the Port.  TIP: Liberal lubrication of the Port and Port Ring o-ring allows easier rotation during installation/removal.
  • Page 25 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 25 ✓ Install the Port. The Port will mate with the Port Ring and then rotate 90 degrees clockwise to its normal position. ✓ Verify seals. Inspect the Port Base, Port Rings and Port are fully seated with no gaps.

  • Page 26: Monitor Mount / Video Connections

     ✓ Insert the Monitor Cable into the ALEXA 35 Housing. Refer to the illustration. The External Monitor cable is a 'pass through' type that inserts into bulkhead opening on the upper right side of the housing. Insert the cable connectors and route to the rear of the housing to the position shown in the next illustration.
  • Page 27 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 27 ✓ Connect the SDI cable from the monitor to ALEXA 35 SDI 1 output. ✓ Also mate the External Monitor power to the battery D-Tap (or P-Tap) with supplied D-Tap adapter.

  • Page 28: Housing Closure

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 28 Housing Closure ✓ General. The Rear Shell slides from the rear, over the camera and mates with the Mid Shell. If there is obstruction at any time during this process – stop! – remove the shell and locate the obstruction.
  • Page 29 Page 29  CAUTION. Faulty Latches can lead to a wet camera! Replacements for faulty latches are available at no charge from Gates. Mate the Rear Shell to the Mid Shell. Close and lock three (3) latches and verify they mating surface is even and...

  • Page 30: Adjustable Handle Grips

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 30 Adjustable Handle Grips The ALEXA 35 Housing has adjustable handle grips. These are inserted onto the housing from the rear and set with the two top thumbscrews. Each handle grip is adjustable forward/back and left/right.

  • Page 31: Footrails And Adjustments

    Page 31 Footrails and Adjustments The ALEXA 35 Housing has two different foot rail types. One is the original MINI Housing foot rail, and second is a modified version for use with SPR110 port rings. When using SPR110’s, it will also be necessary to utilize foot risers, as shown, which allow the housing to rest on the feet, and not on the SPR110-10 Port.
  • Page 32 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 32 Both foot rail types can be set in three different positions on the housing. Changing the footrail position may be warranted for clearance or balance depending on the configuration. Place the housing on a flat surface before tightening. This will prevent the housing footrails from sitting uneven and / or rock when at rest.

  • Page 33: Stackable Port Rings Spr80 And Spr110

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 33 Stackable Port Rings SPR80 and SPR110 The ALEXA 35 Housing can optionally use two different sizes of Stackable Port Rings. SPR80’s are for use with the internal Lens Gear Drive system, providing diver operation and FIZ control.
  • Page 34 ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 34 110-size Port Base and set of SPR110 Stackable Port Rings Note the 110 size Port Base requires special sealing screws. Note also that use of SPR110 Port Rings and 10” Port require the modified foot rail and foot risers.

  • Page 35: Lens Knobs

    Page 35 Lens Knobs The ALEXA 35 Housing has 3 way adjustable Lens Knobs. They can be configured close, far or double stacked on the housing. Refer to the drawings below on how to configure the knobs to fit your application.

  • Page 36: Seal Check

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 36 Seal Check ✓ Seal Check Manual. Follow the procedures in the Seal Check manual for verifying integrity of the housing. ✓ Seal Check both Housing and external monitor. The external monitor also has a Seal Check fitting.

  • Page 37: Final Checks

    ALEXA 35 Housing Setup Page 37 Final Checks ✓ Visual Inspection. Look closely at all seal mates – Port, Port Ring, Port base and main housing seal – for uneven gaps. Look over the housing one final time. ✓ Verify operation. As a final check, power on the camera and verify all controls are functioning normally.

  • Page 38: 4: Alexa 35 Housing Operation

    ALEXA 35 Housing Operation Page 38 4: ALEXA 35 Housing Operation Right Side Controls Record Focus/Iris/Zoom Focus/Iris/Zoom...
  • Page 39 ALEXA 35 Housing Operation Page 39 Left Side Controls Focus/Iris/Zoom Assignable 1-12 Assignable Marker Plate Power On/Off Port Lock Record...

  • Page 40: Buoyancy Adjustment

    Page 40 Buoyancy Adjustment The ALEXA 35 Housing features adjustable buoyancy and trim. 4 and 8 oz trim weights can be secured to the housing to adjust bouyancy and trim precisely to your liking. Three general locations are available to add/remove and adjust trim weights.

  • Page 41: Accessories

    ALEXA 35 Housing Operation Page 41 Accessories HD-SDI Surface Feed Cable (optional) If you have the HD-SDI option installed, there are three steps: ✓ Camera connection. See the previous section Video Connections for details connecting the HD-SDI surface feed to the camera inside the housing.
  • Page 42 Arri standard dovetail clamp. (WC Dovetail Clamp) ✓ As a Crane Mount, allows securing the ALEXA 35 Housing to a Jib or Boom. See the illustration below for mount point details. Crane Mount...
  • Page 43 ALEXA 35 Housing Operation Page 43...

  • Page 44: Port Options

    At this time of publication Gates SP80 Dome (8” size), SP80-10 (10” size), SP110-10 (10” size for SPR110) and FP80 Flat Port options are available for the ALEXA 35 Housing. When choosing a Port consider the following tradeoffs and limitations.
  • Page 45 Distortions and aberrations can occur with either port. As such, Gates does not warrant optical performance or image quality. Gates endeavors to collect data from the field and our own testing as a resource to customers, but you should always characterize your lens of choice for use...

  • Page 46: Lighting Systems

    The ALEXA 35 Housing has provisions to utilize a variety of lighting systems. Ball mounts for the light arms may be located in several locations on ALEXA 35 Housing: a) threaded into the top of the Handle Grips: b) on the Foot Rails; or c) onto accessory mounts that slide onto the same dovetail slots as the handle grips.

  • Page 47: Travel / Transport

    Travel / Transport The ALEXA 35 Housing requires several preparations for travel.  CAUTION: No Camera. DO NOT transport your ARRI ALEXA ALEXA 35 camera inside the housing. Severe damage may result.  CAUTION: No Trim Weights. DO NOT transport the ALEXA 35 Housing with trim weights installed.

  • Page 48: 5: Alexa 35 Housing Maintenance

    ✓ Port (YELLOW); and ✓ Port Base (ORANGE). Servicing the o-rings is easy and covered in the “Housing Care and Maintenance” document in this package. It can also be found on the Gates website at www.gateshousings.com.  CAUTION: Do not lubricate the large ORANGE o-ring! It is a special silicone o-ring and can be damaged by petroleum-based lubricants.

  • Page 49: 6: Customer Support

    Customer Support Page 49 6: Customer Support Should you have any questions about the ALEXA 35 Housing and its operation, please contact Gates at the numbers below. Email: Customer.srvc@GatesHousings.com Web: www.GatesHousings.com Phone: 858.391.0052...

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