Atomic Cobalt Dive Computer Recall

[RonR]

Ron, The Atomic Cobalt recall has to do with the "High Pressure SENSOR"; not the high pressure connector as you state in your post.

The issue is the potential for HP air to leak past a small O-ring that seals the sensor to the HP connector housing/ QD fitting. This potential exists if the stud nut that holds that sensor in position was not tightened sufficiently in assembly. This O-ring seal is located at the other end of the QD fitting, where it connects with and holds the actual sensor, which is a small ceramic disc. If the nut (which is entirely inside the case) isn't tight, the sensor can move slightly, allowing the O-ring to come off its seat and leak, pressurizing the inside of the case and potentially blowing off the lens or popping the lens O-ring. Fortunately Atomic has only found a few Cobalts (3 at my last update) that are not properly tightened and need to go back to the factory. But all the ones in the serial numbers listed should be checked. You will get a spiffy new cover out of the deal.

Ron

 

[mikeycanuk]

Our two are still in our LDS. Might be ready but no rush and besides I now have to make sure they have 6 Aqualock weight pockets - we are on that recall too!


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[bill1946]

My wife's Cobalt experience has been weird as well as mine. Her first Cobalt failed out of the box. It was replaced. The new computer exploded in the Solomon islands. That was replaced. This month, she notice moisture in the console during her first dive. It died after the first dive. Cobalt has been nothing but nice and cooperative during this whole process. However, I fear the next one will not live up to the expected reliability. The problem is we love the computers and find nothing measures up to the performance. It is the reliability that is my only problem. Wife will now be working with a fourth unit.
[/SUB].

There is a product safety recall that is going out for Cobalt computers today, related to the high pressure connector. It concerns only those that were manufactured prior to April, 2012- see the serial number list below. I want to let everyone here know what this is about, so I will cross post this to threads that have discussed the Cobalt.


Basically, Atomic found a few instances where a nut that retains the high pressure sensor had not been sufficiently tightened in assembly. Eventually this could result in the O-ring that seals the sensor to high pressure leaking HP air into the Cobalt's housing, blowing the lens off. If it happened during a dive, the Cobalt would be destroyed, and there would be a small but unstoppable air leak. While this has turned up in only a small number of units, and so far as I know has only happened on the surface, it's obviously a serious concern that warrants checking every Cobalt that could potentially be affected.


Fortunately, it's an easy thing to check for. If the nut isn't tight enough, the QD fitting will protrude a bit too far from the Cobalt's case. Atomic has made simple gauges for dealers to use to quickly determine if a Cobalt has the problem. If not, it will get a new top cover to indicate it has been checked. If it does show evidence of a problem, it will need to go back to the factory to re-torque the fitting. Atomic thinks that will be very rare, but we don't really know until we start checking large numbers.


I'm pasting Atomic's recall letter below.


Ron

IMPORTANT NOTICE! Cobalt Dive Computer Recall​

Date: 9-18-12


Dear Atomic Aquatics Customer


We are contacting you because we have initiated a recall on certain Cobalt Dive Computers. Although we hope the percentage of units with this problem is small, the defect is serious enough that we feel it is necessary to recall and inspect as many units as possible to ensure customer safety and satisfaction. Fortunately the defect is easy to identify and we hope that you will cooperate with us by returning your Cobalt to either an authorized Atomic Aquatics retailer or to the factory.


Hazard: Improper assembly of the high pressure sensor inside the unit could leak, potentially causing the lens of the computer to blow off suddenly. This could result in personal injury from flying parts; render the computer inoperable and would also create a continuous but slow leak of breathing gas that could require a diver to surface prematurely.


Incidents/Injuries: Atomic Aquatics has received approximately 30 reports of leaks and in some cases caused the lens to blow off of the computer. No injuries have been reported.


Affected units: This recall involves Atomic Aquatics brand Cobalt dive computers with serial numbers 2210-XXXX through 1612-XXXX (manufactured between May 31, 2010 and April 16, 2012). Manufacture date can be determined by the serial number. The first 2 digits of the serial number are the week of manufacture and the second 2 digits are the year of manufacture. Cobalts shipped after the 1612-XXXX date code end date (approximately May 2012) do not need to be inspected and are not affected by this recall. Having a Cobalt in the affected unit serial number does not mean it is defective, but that it should be inspected for the defect.


Here is a list of all serial date lots made during the affected period. Look for the first four digits with the following numbers: 2210, 2910, 4010, 4710, 5010, 1111, 1711, 2611, 2811, 3211, 3311, 3411, 3511, 3611, 3711, 3811, 3911, 4011, 4111, 4211, 4511, 4611, 5211, 0812, 1112, 1212, 1312, 1412, 1612


What you should do: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dive computers and return the unit to either an authorized Atomic Aquatics dealer or the Atomic Aquatics factory for inspection. Inspection is a quick and simple process. If your Cobalt passes this inspection it will be returned to you. If not, it must be returned to the factory for repair.

 

[mikeycanuk]

Solomon's, Cobalt. You weren't on our cruise. Our 3 Cobalts worked perfectly except I blew yet another o ring. We take 2 spare hoses so no dives lost. The crew of the Bilikiki told us Atomic gave them Cobalts for the DM's but both died. Funny my wife's bad a bad button right out of the box so we got a brand new one and I recently got her a Cobalt 2 for her birthday. That's why we have 2 spare hoses.

 

[RonR]

There is new Cobalt 2 production underway with some changes to the case. Atomic has been continually adjusting design and assembly to target any failure points that appear in use.

I provided demo Cobalts, a 1 and 2, to Bilikiki as a kind of torture test- I'll have to get them back and see what went. I looked over the Cobalt 1 a while ago, and it had about 500 dives and was still going.

I know Atomic has a new O-ring for the QD fitting that should be more durable- that's a common wear point in any QD computer.

-Ron

 

[Sam L]

The Cobalts we have had on Bilikiki for a long time have been great. Just to clarify the ones our DMs have been using did not die but we had two guests whose computers did, I think due to the problem they have been recalled for. I personally used one for a couple of years while I worked there, had no problems and loved using it. It did eventually need to be sent back to have a pressure sensor replaced but that was after a lot of use.

 

[scotto]

What year did Atomic stop making the Cobalt 2? I have one, in series 14, that is not in the recall list.
Is it still safe to use? Works great.

 

[RonR]

What year did Atomic stop making the Cobalt 2? I have one, in series 14, that is not in the recall list.
Is it still safe to use? Works great.

That recall was an issue with the Cobalt 1. It had to do with some units being left with enough clearance during assembly on the HP end that high pressure air could leak past the hose fitting and into the main case. See post #11 above for a fuller explanation. Atomic recalled all Cobalts as a precaution so they could be checked and serviced if necessary.

Cobalt 2's were I think last in Atomic's catalog in 2020? Those would have been computers produced during 2018 or 2019.

-Ron