Airmar CA500 Owner's Manual

OWNER' S GUIDE
Retractable Underwater Camera
with Valve
Model CA500
U.S. Patent No. 5,186,050. 7,369,458 B2. Patent Pending on Camera Insert
IMPORTANT: Please read the instructions completely
IMPORTANT: Please read the instructions completely
before proceeding with the installation. These
before proceeding with the installation. These
instructions supersede any other instructions in your
instructions supersede any other instructions in your
instrument manual if they differ.
instrument manual if they differ.
WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and a dust
CAUTION: Never use solvents!
mask to avoid personal injury when installing.
Cleaners, fuel, paint, sealants, and other products may
contain strong solvents, such as acetone, which attack
CAUTION: Never use solvents. Cleaners, fuel,
many plastics greatly reducing their strength.
sealants, paint, and other products may contain strong
solvents, such as acetone, which attack many
plastics, greatly reducing their strength.

Applications

• Plastic housing recommended for fiberglass or metal hull only.
Never install a plastic housing in a wood hull since swelling of the
wood may possibly fracture the plastic.
• Bronze housing recommended for fiberglass or wood hull.
Never install a bronze housing in an aluminum hull, because
electrolytic corrosion will occur.
• Stainless steel housing compatible with all hull materials.
Recommended for aluminum hulls to prevent electrolytic corrosion
provided the stainless steel housing is isolated from the metal hull.
• Never install a metal housing in a vessel with a positive ground
system.
Tools & Materials
Water-based anti-fouling paint (mandatory in salt water)
Safety goggles
Dust mask
Electric drill with 10mm (3/8") or larger chuck capacity
Drill bit: 3mm or 1/8"
Hole saw: 51mm or 2"
57mm or 2-1/4"
Sandpaper
Mild household detergent or weak solvent (such as alcohol)
File (installation in a metal hull)
Marine sealant (suitable for below waterline)
Additional washer [for aluminum hull less than 6mm (1/4") thick]
Slip-joint pliers (installing a metal housing)
Grommets (some installations)
Cable ties
Adaptor plug (some installations)
Installation in a cored fiberglass hull (see page 3):
Hole saw for hull interior: 60mm or 2-3/8"
Fiberglass cloth and resin
or Cylinder, wax, tape, and casting epoxy
Fairing
CAUTION: Never use a fairing with a plastic housing; the
protruding camera would be vulnerable to damage from impact.
(stainless steel housing in a metal hull)
&

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Record the information found on the cable tag for future reference.
Part No.:______________________ Date__________________

Pretest

Connect the camera's power cable to a 12 VDC power source.
Plug the video connector into the video input port on the display.
Check for a picture. If there is none, check the connections. If
there are still no picture, return the product to the place of
purchase.

Anti-fouling Paint

CAUTION: Anti-fouling paint is mandatory in salt-water.
CAUTION: Do not paint the recessed camera lens.
Aquatic growth can accumulate rapidly on the camera. Surfaces
exposed to salt water must be coated with anti-fouling paint. Use
water-based anti-fouling paint only. Never use ketone-based
paint, since ketones can
attack many plastics
possibly damaging the
camera.
It is easier to apply anti-
fouling paint before
installation, but allow
sufficient drying time.
Reapply paint every 6
months or at the
beginning of each boating
season. Paint the
following surfaces
(see Figure 1):
• Exposed end of the
camera insert
Do not paint the lens.
• Exterior lip of the
housing
• Bore of the housing up
6mm (1/4")
• Exposed end of the
blanking plug
CA500
plastic
low profile
P617V housing
camera insert
NOTE: Do not
paint the lens
exposed edge
housing
exterior lip
bore up 6mm (1/4")
Figure 1. Anti-fouling paint
Copyright © 2008 Airmar Technology Corp.