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HELPFUL HINTS
PRE-SCORED FOAM CUSTOMIZATION
Fuerte Cases by Seahorse, Underwater Kinetics, S3, B&W and Gun Guard are available with
an optional removable multi piece foam set. We supply egg crate foam in
the lid and one or more blocks of pre-scored customizable foam
for the bottom. There is one more layer lining the very bottom. The
pre-scored foam is a block of vertically pre-scored high-density foam
that can be easily adapted and designed to protect your stored equipment
from the abuse of even your roughest adventure.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMIZING THE FOAM INSERT
For best results, please read the following text in its entirety before
altering the foam. Although not necessary or required, here are some tools
and items you may want to have available when setting up your case:
White chalk or Magic Marker®
Sharp long scissors
Hobby knife (Exacto® knife, scalpel)
Tooth picks
Hacksaw blade
First, determine the properties of the object you wish to set
into the foam. The properties that should be considered are size, shape
and weight. Remove the bottom foam block(s) and place your objects inside the base of the case to get an idea of how
you are going to lay it out. Often times you may want to set several items
in your case, so this is a good first step to determine where everything
will be located. Try different configurations for best fit and protection.
Place larger and heavier objects towards the hinges and smaller lightweight
objects closer to the latches. Try to distribute the weight of the objects evenly to avoid making the case heavier at one end than the other. This can make the case lopsided and carying the case might be unconfortable.
Notice how much the object is depressing the foam under its own weight
and keep this in mind to allow enough foam thickness between objects and
case walls. The heavier or more sensitive the object is, the more foam
you will want surrounding it for protection. Keep your case well balanced
by placing heavy objects towards the center and surround it with lighter
items. Remember that your case will be turned in all directions when traveling
and while being handled by others.
You can mark your foam by tracing your objects with
white chalk or black Magic Marker®. Another way is to mark the edges of your objects by driving tooth
picks into the foam at several locations aroung the objects. Remember that the foam will
"give" considerably, so smaller is better. You can always increase the size of your cavity later if too tight. You can then squeeze
your objects into the cutouts for a snug and secure fit.
Another approach is to
gently press your object into the foam at its chosen location to reveal
the pre-scored lines and then run either a hacksaw blade or even your finger along
side your object, tracing it to separate the score breaks. The foam will separate easily during this step.
Chalk marks can
be removed with a damp cloth or the foam may be flipped over when removing
foam all the way through.
The easiest method when working with square
or rectangular objects is to simply break the score line all the way through
the foam and remove the block you have just created. You can now use scissors
to cut this block for placing back into the cavity as an insert to add
further protection on the bottom side of your object and to raise the object for easier access. Do remember that
you have a thinner layer of foam lining the bottom of your case to protect
objects that use up the entire thickness of the pre-scored Foam.
Determine the thickness of your objects in relation to the foam and case
depth and remove the foam all the way through in one piece. This method will yield a very clean-cut
hole. You can also just find the depth at which to remove the foam and
simply pluck the foam out with your fingers. Although effective, this
method does not leave a very flat or even surface at the bottom of the cavity.
Thin objects can easily be fitted into the foam by separating
the score marks to the length of an object and forming a slot. The object
can then be pushed into this slot without removing any of the foam.
Note: If you cut the cavity too big you can glue foam back into place.
Several customers have reported using an electric meat carving knife when cutting round shapes and getting excellent results.
We hope you found this helpful in getting your case set up to protect
your equipment.
If you find other alternatives when working with the foam or applications
for our cases, we'd love to hear about it. Send us an e-mail with your
name and town and we will gladly mention it as your idea.
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR CASE
How to keep your new case looking good and performing properly.
To clean any of our cases, wash with a soft sponge and mild household
cleanser and rinse with clean fresh water. Do not use an abrasive cleanser,
steel wool or a brush that can scratch the surface. Dry your case completely,
inside and out. After drying, to enhance the beauty of the case, it may
be coated with any one of the products used to clean and preserve the
vinyl upholstery in your automobile.
Caution!!! Remove the foam from the case before washing exterior of case.
The foam absorbs moisture readily and will retain moisture when case is
closed, causing corrosion in and on any metallic components stored in
the case.
O-RING SEAL: To insure water resistance, keep the perimeter O-ring gasket
free of cuts, abrasions and foreign debris (sand, grass, dirt, etc,),
and check it on a regular basis. The best way to check the O-ring is by
removing it from the case and wrapping it around your finger. Visually
inspect different sections to ensure that there is no evidence of cracking,
peeling or abrasions that could cause your case to leak. Case manufacturers
have chosen different material choices for their O-rings. By far the best
choice is Neoprene Closed Cell Foam, which is more like a plastic resin and not
prone to dry rot like rubber. Another good choice is Silicone O-ring,
it also offers better longevity than rubber. Rubber, unlike plastic, is
an organic material and will degrade and decompose over time.
MANUAL PRESSURE RELIEF PURGE VALVE: To insure that the case is water
and air-tight, tighten the pressure relief screw by hand or with a coin before
use. Do not over tighten the pressure screw. This may result in damage
to the O-ring gasket under the screw. Periodically remove the pressure
screw and inspect the small O-ring gasket for tears or deterioration.
Replace if necessary.
DO THE HISS TEST
Making sure the Neoprene O-ring is doing it's job.
This part applies only to our line of Seahorse Cases, since these are
the only cases that have an automatic pressure purge valve incorporated
under the right hand latch of every case.
We recommend that you also test your case periodically, especially before
heading out on that wet adventure where you are wanting to make sure your
case does what it's supposed to do, protect your equipment. An easy and
convenient way to confirm that your case is airtight, and therefore watertight
is to do what I call the "Hiss Test"
Before starting the test, remove any really large objects you have stored
in your case, like the main camera you are using the case for.
1. Place your Seahorse Case on a flat stable surface with the latches
and handle facing you.
2. Open the case and carefully inspect the perimeter gasket for signs
of excessive wear. Ensure there isn't any dirt, sand, or foreign matter
resting anywhere along the tongue (case body) and groove (lid) where the
case seals. Also make sure that under the right hand latch, you have the
small o-ring that seals the purge valve. Visually inspect it to make sure
it looks okay. Close the case lid.
3. Close the left hand latch, leave the right hand latch open.
4. Slowly but firmly begin pushing down on the center of the case lid
with the heel of your hand, collapsing the center. With the right hand
latch open you should hear air exiting the case.
5. Push as far down as possible, and close the right hand latch before
letting go. You have now created a vacuum inside the case.
6. Lift the case to your ear, (pick a good one) and when ready, open
the right hand latch. You should hear hissing while the case is equalizing
itself to atmospheric pressures.
LONG TERM STORAGE SUGGESTIONS
Planning on storing your valuables for a long time?
We make the following recommendations for optimum safe storage conditions
of long duration.
1. Be positive that the foam interior is perfectly dry. If the case has
been opened and exposed to rain, heavy fog or mist, or if liquids such
as water (or pieces of ice), have been spilled inside, Do
Not Use For Storage. Just as our cases will not allow moisture to enter
when closed, moisture trapped inside will remain inside. Remove the foam
from the case and place in a dry, warm area with good air circulation.
It will dry in about a day or two. Do not set foam directly in sun light.
All foam will rapidly deteriorate from UV rays.
WARNING: The foam supplied with your case is flammable! Do Not
expose to flames or excessive heat. When ignited the foam gives off
noxious fumes. It can be extinguished easily with water.
2. Be certain your gear is completely clean. With firearms, lead and copper
residue should be removed from barrel. The bore should be coated with
a long lasting oil or grease sold especially for this purpose. The exterior
of the gun should be coated with a preservative made especially for this
purpose. A firearm should also be placed into a gun sleeve before it is
finally closed into the case for long term storage.
Consider adding a dessicant material inside the case to help absorb any moisture that may be getting trapped inside the case. In very humid climates this is a must. Place the dessicant pack away from the objects in the case. Contact us for more information about dessicants and their use.
MILITARY SPECIFICATIONS
Cases sold by Fuerte Cases have been tested beyond the limits of ordinary
storage, transport and shipping containers.
All our cases have been procured and/or tested under numerous MIL-SPEC
testing and certification procedures including: fungus resistance, 48-inch
free-fall drop, salt fog, cargo bounce, submersion, temperature and humidity,
vibration limits, and low pressure (altitude).
The following specifications are among the most popular used for constructing
and evaluating reusable cases manufactured for world-wide shipping, handling
and storage. Contact us anytime with your requirements.
Our Seahorse line are the only cases that when using our waterproof panel
kits for mounting electronics that meet the purge valve performance specifications.
MIL-STD-2073B
MIL-STD-794
MIL-P-116
MIL-STD-648
MIL-HDBK-304
MIL-C-4150J
MIL-T-21200
MIL-T-28800 - Seahorse Cases Only
MIL-T-4734
MIL-STD-454
MIL-STD-810
FTMS-101
MIL-STD-130
MIL-STD-1472
MIL-I-45208
Armor
Cases are not designed for underwater use but will prevent water from entering
case when submerged to several feet, if and when you fall overboard.
Military Specifications for Armor PDA Cases
MIL-STD-810F - Impact Resistant to Drop - PASSED
Resistance to impact by dropping according to Method 516.5, Procedure
IV (Transit Drop) of MIL-STD-810F, "Department of Defense Test Method
Standard for Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests"
"No damage, except for slight cosmetic damage such as small dents or scuff
marks, was observed."
---Hauser Laboratories of Boulder, Colorado
MIL-STD-810F - Water Resistance - PASSED
Water infiltration resistance according to the Immersion test described
in MIL-STD-810F, Method 512.4. "Cases were tested with a simulated
PDA in place, no water leakage was observed in any of the cases tested."
---Hauser Laboratories of Boulder, Colorado
SAE J575 (JUN92) - Dust Resistance - PASSED
Dust Resistance according to the test contained in SAE J575 (JUN92), a
standard according to automotive lighting devices.
"No evidence of dust penetration into the interior of the case was observed."
---Hauser Laboratories of Boulder, Colorado
***Testing performed by Hauser Laboratories, of Boulder, Colorado on
June 20 through July 1, 2002. Hauser Laboratories is a division
of Microbac Laboratories, Inc.
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