Gates Underwater Products Alexa User manual

Alexa Underwater Housing
Setup, Use, and Care Guide

Cautions Page 2
Copyright 2015, Gates Underwater Products, Inc.
Last document revision: 1-27-2015
Photos by John Ellerbrock / 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.
13685 Stowe Drive
Poway, California 92064 USA
Phone: [phone] toll-free in the U.S.
858.391.0052 outside the U.S.
Fax: [phone]
Web: GatesHousings.com

Cautions Page 3
Table of Contents
Setup, Use, and Care Guide.............................................. 1
Introducing the Alexa Underwater Housing ....................... 4
Features............................................................................. 4
Warranty Disclaimer .......................................................... 4
Alexa, Alexa XT and Alexa XT Plus Compatibility ............. 5
Unpacking Alexa Housing.................................................. 5
1:Cautions............................................................................. 6
2:Alexa Housing Setup ......................................................... 7
Alexa Housing Preparation ................................................ 7
Alexa Camera Preparation .............................................. 10
Camera Installation.......................................................... 11
Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s) ............................................... 14
Water Alarm (Optional) .................................................... 17
Check Operation.............................................................. 18
Front Shell, Port and Port Extender................................. 19
Monitor Mount / Video Connections................................. 21
Housing Closure .............................................................. 23
Adjustable Handle Grips .................................................. 25
Seal Check ...................................................................... 26
Final Checks .................................................................... 26
3:Alexa Housing Operation................................................. 27
Right Side Controls.......................................................... 27
Left Side Controls ............................................................ 28
Buoyancy Adjustment ...................................................... 29
Accessories ..................................................................... 31
Port Options..................................................................... 34
Remote Lens Control (RLC) (Optional) ........................... 36
Lighting Systems ............................................................. 42
Controlling Reflections..................................................... 42
Travel / Transport ............................................................ 43
4:Alexa Housing Maintenance ............................................ 44
O-Ring Care and Maintenance ........................................ 44
5:Customer Support............................................................ 45

Cautions Page 4
Introducing the Alexa Underwater Housing
Congratulations on owning a new Gates product: the Alexa Underwater Housing.
You’ve selected an underwater imaging tool that will provide years of value and reliable
service. We designed the Alexa Underwater Housing specifically for the Alexa, Alexa XT
and Alexa XT Plus cameras.
Please read through this entire guide to learn about the Alexa housing so you can get
the most out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of the
housing so you can get started.
Features
Alexa housing has several key features:
 Lens flexibility. The Alexa housing can accommodate a variety of different PL
mount lenses with no change to control locations. Focus, Iris, Zoom remain in the
same location regardless of optics used.
 Full camera control. All practical controls are accessed directly with the Alexa
housing, as is the full menu system of the camera.
 Cinema-grade design. Lens choice and control access are just two of the many
features designed into the Alexa housing. A/R coated glass optics, optional HD-SDI
surface feed, and Seal Check are a few of the items any professional will
appreciate.
Warranty Disclaimer
Like any tool the Alexa Underwater Housing requires knowledge and understanding to
be effective.
Your responsibility is to learn the proper setup, use and care of the Alexa housing.
Because we can only provide you with the information necessary to do so, Gates does
not warrant the contents of your housing (e.g. your camera and lenses) under any
circumstance.
We warrant the Alexa 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.
Gates does not warrant optical performance or image quality.
If you have any questions about the setup, use and care of the Alexa housing, contact
Gates directly. Details are in section 2.

Cautions Page 5
Alexa, Alexa XT and Alexa XT Plus Compatibility
The Alexa and Alexa XT use a different side window than the Alexa XT Plus. All other
housing controls function the same regardless of camera model. The appropriate
window will be made available based on your configuration.
Unpacking Alexa Housing
After you remove the Alexa from its shipping container, carefully inspect it for missing
parts or damage that may have occurred during shipment. If you discover any
discrepancies, contact Gates or your dealer immediately for assistance.
Standard Parts
 Alexa Underwater Housing.
 Camera Bridgeplate and Mount.
 Lens Gear Drives (1x Clockwise
and 2x Counter Clockwise).
 Guide Bars and drive shafts for
your lens of choice.
 Hard Sided Rolling Case(s).
 Seal Check system.
 Tool Kit with case.
 Various assembly and spare
parts for the Alexa housing
including bolts, set screws and
o-rings.
 Spare O-Ring Kit.
 Carry Handle.
 Trim Weights (quantity
dependent on configuration).
 Port(s) of choice (Dome, either
glass or acrylic, or Flat) and
shade.
 Focus / Iris Marker Rings.
 TVL55 Monitor.
 RS record cable.
Optional Parts
 Water alarm.
 HD-SDI surface feed bulkhead connector and cable.
 Surface control cable.
 Light System.
 Tripod Adapters / Mounts.
 Port Extenders(s) of choice for your lens (as needed).
 Electronic Lens Control.

Cautions Page 6
1: Cautions
TRANSPORT. NEVER ship or transport your Alexa camera inside the Alexa
housing. The housing was not designed for this purpose and severe
damage may result.
USER RESPONSIBILITY. This Setup, Use and Care guide contains
important detailed procedures for setup and use of the Alexa 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.
Contact Gates if you have questions this manual or using the Alexa housing.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 7
2: Alexa Housing Setup
Alexa Housing Preparation
 Port. Remove the Port by rotating 90 degrees while facing the front of the housing.
Gently pull the Port away from the Port Extender.
TIP: Liberal lubrication of the Port o-ring allows easy rotation during
installation/removal.
N=
O=
Rotate the port 90 degrees then
gently pull forward to remove.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 8
 Port Extender. Remove 4 screws, then the Port Extender.
 Rear Shell removal. Release four (4) latches by depressing the lock and pulling up
on the latch. Once released the rear shell will remove freely.
Remove 4 screws and washers, then the
Port Extender.
Slide the rear shell back until
it's free from the housing.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 9
 Camera Bridgeplate Removal. Move the lever lock to the unlock position. Slide
the camera mount to the rear and free of the housing.
=
=
Move the lever lock to
the unlock position.
Slide the camera mount
to the rear and free of
housing.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 10
Alexa Camera Preparation
 Camera Basics Strip down the Alexa camera to the bare camera body. Remove
the following items:
 Tape measure hook
 Top Hand Grip Unit
 Any additional mounts or brackets
 Camera Lens
 Antenna (Alexa XT Plus users only)
Remove the tape
measure hook. This is
necessary for the
camera to clear the
housing controls.
Remove antenna or
face it downward to
clear the rear shell.
(Alexa XT Plus
users only)

Alexa Housing Setup Page 11
Camera Installation
 Camera Bridgeplate Installation. Mount the Alexa camera to the Bridgeplate
Adapter with five screws.
 Interior Trim Weights-- Required. Mount one 11oz weight to the interior of the
back shell as shown below.
 Refer to the ‘Buoyancy Adjustment’ in section 3 below for more details.
Attach 11 ounce trim
weight to the Velcro
located on the inner
wall of the rear shell.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 12
 Pull out menu control. The Menu Control on the right side window must be
retracted for camera clearance during insertion. Refer to Section 3 Operation for
more details on the housing controls.
 Place camera to housing. Locate the Bridgeplate and the Dovetail receiver.
 Insert Camera into housing. Gently slide the camera on the Bridgeplate into the
housing until fully seated. The camera should move into the housing without
obstruction.
CAUTION: AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. The camera should insert freely, without
obstruction. If obstructions or resistance are encountered, stop. Remove the
camera, find the cause of the obstruction, and try again.
 Lock the camera into position with the locking lever.
 Connect the RS cable from the Record Trigger to the camera RS port.
 Mate and Check Controls. This is a good time to verify operation of all Mid Shell
controls. Push in on the left side and right side, confirming that the controls touch
and operate the associated camera function (see Section 3 Controls for more
information). Verify that all pushbuttons work correctly.
Pull out Menu Control

Alexa Housing Setup Page 13
=
=
The Bridgeplate will
slide onto the dovetail
here. Stop inserting
the camera if you
encounter
obstructions.
Move the lever lock to
the lock position.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 14
Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s)
 General Notes. This section
addresses the installation of three
LGD’s – 2 x CCW (Counter Clock Wise)
and 1 x CW (Clock Wise). These
designators are applied because two
LGD’s point in a CCW direction and
the other in a CW direction, The LGD’s
are marked CCW and CW.
You will install guide bars and drive
shafts that match the lens of your choice.
Contact Gates to determine the correct
combination for your lens.
Secure Guide Bars. Insert the guide bars by threading
them into the front bulkhead. Tighten firmly by hand – no tools are required but
wrench flats are provided on the guide bars should this be necessary.
 Install Drive Shafts. These are ¼” black delrin and have a flat spot milled into one
end. This end inserts into the drive coupler at the face of the front bulkhead.
Secure gently with the set screw on the coupler. Do not overtighten.
 LGD’s mounting. Install the LGD’s in their proper orientation with pivot gear
screws facing forward. Slide it onto the guide bar and drive shaft, then line up the
LGD with the lens gear you wish it to access.
The Alexa includes three
LGD’s – 2x CCW and 1x CW.
Insert the drive shaft into the
coupler. One end of the shaft
will have a small flat spot.
Align this with the set screw,
and tighten gently. Do not
over tighten.
Note: Different Gates housing shown.
Thread the Guide Bar into the
front shell and tighten by
hand.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 15
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.
 Step 2. Pivot the larger gear onto the lens
gear such that it makes intimate contact.
Carefully observe that the gear is still
properly aligned and the drive shaft/gear hub
is centered with the LGD bracket (see photo).
Tighten the two pivot screws gently to secure
it in position.
 Step 3. Firmly tighten the screw that couples
the drive gear hub to the drive shaft.
TIP. The gear hub / drive shaft coupling acts
like a clutch – the drive shaft will ‘slip’ when
reaching the end of travel in either direction.
Tightening the screw more will allow less slip.
Adjust this amount of slip at your discretion.
 Set the focus/iris indicators. The left and right side Gear Controls have indicator
rings. These shipped in the parts kit. These are white plastic for marking focus / iris
indications.
Center the drive shaft/gear hub to the
bracket. Tighten the screw and secure
the LGD to the guide bar.
With the drive shaft/hub centered, pivot
the larger gear to make intimate contact
with the lens gear. Gently tighten 2 pivot
screws.
Couple to Drive Shaft .

Alexa Housing Setup Page 16
Secure the ring with the two set screws in the knob as shown.
 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.
Slip the white ring over the
Gear Control knob.
Secure with set screws
here and opposite on the
knob.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 17
Water Alarm (Optional)
If you have the optional water alarm installed there are three alarm conditions to know:
Condition LED Siren
New Battery
(Insertion)
Bright Intense blink
while siren plays
Ascending tones played 4 times
Water Intrusion Bright Intense Blink Grating Warble sound. Alarm will sound
for duration of detection.
Low Battery Low Intensity fast blink Descending tones played 8 times
pausing approx. 20 seconds between.
The alarm can be tested by shorting the detection contacts that lead to the water alarm
transducer. The water detection condition will activate for 6 seconds. If the battery is
drained the low battery condition will sound.
The water alarm requires a single 6V battery like Radio Shack model 23-469 or A544.
Your battery should be removed when stored (e.g. between dive trips). Check the
battery prior to every die to ensure proper operation. Change when indicated.
CAUTION: You must wait a minimum of 30 seconds between battery insertions to allow
the unit to fully discharge.
Water Alarm LED will
illuminate here on the
right side of the Rear
Shell.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 18
Check Operation
At this point check operation of the system before closing the shell and installing the
Front Bulkhead, Port Extenders and Ports.
Power on the camera and check the following:
 Clear Image on TVL55 External Monitor.
 Clean Image with no dust, fog or other impediments to image quality.
 Focus, Iris and Zoom gear controls are smooth and operational.
 Other Controls. Cycle through all controls to confirm operation.
 Power down. With all functions verified power down the camera.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 19
Front Shell, Port and Port Extender
 Inspection. Before installing the Front Shell, Port Extender and Port, 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 Front Shell mates) and Port bore
where the o-rings seal. See the separate document “Housing Care and
Maintenance Guide” for more details.
CAUTION: Do Not lubricate the orange Front Bulkhead or Port Extender o-
ring. It is silicone material and lubricant may cause damage. Only the
BLACK and YELLOW o-rings are safe to lubricate.
 Install the Front Shell. Position the Port Extender over the entire lens / LGD’s and
secure to the front bulkhead with 4 screws. Tighten the 4 screws firmly.
Install Front Shell with 4
screws and washers.

Alexa Housing Setup Page 20
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 o-ring allows easy rotation during
installation/removal.
 Install the Port. The Port will mate with the Port Extender and then rotate 90
degrees clockwise to its normal position.
 Verify seals. Inspect the Front Bulkhead, Port Extender and Port are fully seated
with no gaps.
N
O=
Mate the Port then
rotate 90° CW until the
port is aligned properly.