All Silica gel packs the same?

[DoubleDip]

This seems like a silly question and it really isnt a way to get rid of that irritating little notice about not making any posts in a couple of week's, honest. The question is about any known compatibility issue with Olympus housings and silica gel packs, I need to get around a hundred or so and went to the Olympus web site for information and the price of these required items. I was interested in the remarkable note attached to the item description of the Silica Gel packs compatability for PT Series Underwater Housing built after 03', Is Olympus saying I need a different silica gel pack if my housing was made in January 03'? Has anyone else heard about this gel pac issue, I have only owned my Pt-015 for about two months so I have no clue, Thanks!


Silica-5 Gel for PT Series Underwater Housing
Price: $6.50

Replacement silica gel used to prevent fogging in the Underwater case.
Includes 5 replacements.

Note: (2003 May. Latest) stated on the packaging indicates that the gel is compatible with all underwater housings created after May 2003. This is not an expiration date.

Item #200923

 

[Dee]

Look for a post from Mo2vation...he's selling dessicant packs that are identical to those that came with the Oly housings. $10 for 50 packs, I think. I got some and they look the same to me.

Or

You can order from Preservesmart and get the ones that can be rejuvinated in the oven. They also have a small clear window so you can watch the dessicants color to know when it needs changing.

 

[ReyeR]

There's no compatibility issue with silica gel and the PT housings except you need to make sure that they fit in the housing with the camera in it. The key to silica gel being effective is that it must be 'fresh' ie hasn't been exposed to or even saturated with ambient moisture.

Silica-5 Gel for PT Series Underwater Housing
Price: $6.50

That's pretty expensive. I use these 2 gram silica gel packs. They're self-indicating and tell you when it's saturated (blue --> pink). They can also be re-used by drying them in an oven at low heat (no more than 80°C or the packet will melt).

oops, looks like Dee beat me to it.

 

[Gilligan]

I use the loose desiccant from the same sources as Dee and ReyeR.
I like the loose as I can control the amount I need to use to fit in the appropriate space in the housing. I use cut up pieces of nylon stockings to put it in. It's a bit more work than the pre-packaged ones.

 

[DoubleDip]

I always get quick helpfull responses from Scubaboard members, Thank You!

 

[jacoop]

Has anyone tried using the silica gel pack ReyeR is referring to in a PT-020 housing? Will they fit?

Coop

 

[diver_pirate]

I have a PT-15 / C5050 and the oly packs or the mo2vation are thin enough for the clearance to fit. I tried the plastic sticks but they are wedged in to fit. As far as I know all sicillica-gel dessicant is rechargeable by drying. The microwave works but deforms the plastic pencil types because its to fast. Slow low heat in oven 6-8 hours at 180 F.

Polycarbonate housings are virtulay indestructable and unaffected by oil and most chemicals. Only the gasket seal is susceptable to dust or grit. I would not use the cotton bag or nylon as the mesh size may permitdust and the dust could get on the gasket and percipitate a leak.
DP

 

[jlyle]

Helpful hint: You should also cut up a slim-line panty-liner and put it in the bottom of the housing. If you get a few drops of water in the housing, the panty-liner will absorb the moisture and save the camera. Cheap insurance against a minor flood.

 

[scubaaaronh]

The best way i found to recharge the packs is to put them in my dehydrator at 130 for a couple hours. Then i put them into the food savor bags (4 or 5 to a bag) and they last forever that way. I tried putting them in a ziplock but they still turned colors after a while. I use the packs from preservation station also by the way.

 

[Charlie99]

..........you need to make sure that they fit in the housing with the camera in it.

I use these 2 gram silica gel packs. They're self-indicating and tell you when it's saturated (blue --> pink). They can also be re-used by drying them in an oven at low heat (no more than 80°C or the packet will melt).

I find that it is even easier to recharge them using either defrost cycle or short bursts of full power in a microwave. It just takes 5 to 10 minutes total time, depending upon how agressively you zap them. Overdo it and the packages start to melt and deform. The indicator goes back to blue before the packets are fully recharged, so keep popping them back in for more short bursts (which is what "defrost cycle" does automatically) for a while even after the indicator has turned back to blue.

If in doubt as to what size is needed, you can always stuff in multiples of these relatively small 2 gram packets.