Gilligan
Contributor
I replace my PT-010 O ring when it stretches to the point that it won't stay in the track. It is between 35 and 40 dives as I am on O ring #4 at present with 150 dives on the housing.:shades:
Canon Underwater Housing Proven Loser/Leaker
- Thread starter gulfdiver
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Gilligan
Contributor
I have 175 dives on the housing and on O ring #4 so I get around 45 dives to an O ring.:shades:
One can actually over due o-ring maintenance. If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Everytime the main o-rings are removed there is a chance (ok - maybe small) that something may be overlooked during the reinstallation. If the visible sealling surface is clean, the o-ring doesn't have to be removed all that often. I'm using my Gates video housing as a basis because I just got my PT-015. Used the last Gates over 6 yrs without a single problem. It also uses a silicon main o-ring face seal. Cleaned as required each time the housing was opened. Only removed if really necessary to clean. Scheduled removal & reinstall after a trip. It could have had 30-40 dives on it at that point. I know Oly gives you "special grease" for the red o-rings. All they really need is a little moisture (read spit). Too much grease of any type will ruin them. The last 25 yrs of my job had to do with u/w housings & o-rings. Super few problems using this approach.
P.S. They may actually stretch more if you grease them - they become more pliable & stretch easier.
P.S. They may actually stretch more if you grease them - they become more pliable & stretch easier.
Tortuga Roja
Guest
I think there other factors more important than how many dives. In fact, the more often you dive, the better off your o-rings are, IMO. What you don't want, is for o-rings to dry out. With that in mind, how you store them between dives is most critical. The way the o-ring is used on the housing is another factor to consider. Ikelite for instance, says their house is designed so that grease isn't necessary for sealing. With my Ike house, I have replaced the main o-ring only 3 or 4 times over a period of over 3 years and about 450 dives. I inspect it EVERY dive. If there is any kind of flaw in it, it will be replaced. If it will not be used for a couple of days or more.I rinse it in lukewarm water, blot it dry, grease it lightly, and put it in a baggie. Most important is to not stretch it or use it dirty. I have had the Ike DS125 strobe for 2 years and about 300 dives and replace the o-ring when I replace the battery pack. Once so far.
The buttons need to be soaked in and worked in fresh water as often as possible. They should be cleaned and lightly greased when they get sticky - but on the INSIDE only. Greasing them on the outside will only collect sand and create problems.
I just got an Ocean Images Video housing and they told me to keep 2 o-rings. One to use to store the camera, while the working one is kept in a baggie waiting for use. This sounded like excellent advice to me. Especially if you don't dive often.
Probably the VERY MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do regarding o-rings, is to inspect them EVERY TIME you close the housing. With your glasses on if you need them! If there is the slightest bit of sand, grit or hair anywhere near it, clean it off. Create a routine and don't vary from it. You also want to inspect it as soon as it's in the water. If it's transparent, it's easier but if it's not, look for bubbles coming from where they shouldn't. Everyone knows that 99% of floods are operator error. That means they can be avoided if you don't get complacent.
I'm no engineer - this is only my opinion...
The buttons need to be soaked in and worked in fresh water as often as possible. They should be cleaned and lightly greased when they get sticky - but on the INSIDE only. Greasing them on the outside will only collect sand and create problems.
I just got an Ocean Images Video housing and they told me to keep 2 o-rings. One to use to store the camera, while the working one is kept in a baggie waiting for use. This sounded like excellent advice to me. Especially if you don't dive often.
Probably the VERY MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do regarding o-rings, is to inspect them EVERY TIME you close the housing. With your glasses on if you need them! If there is the slightest bit of sand, grit or hair anywhere near it, clean it off. Create a routine and don't vary from it. You also want to inspect it as soon as it's in the water. If it's transparent, it's easier but if it's not, look for bubbles coming from where they shouldn't. Everyone knows that 99% of floods are operator error. That means they can be avoided if you don't get complacent.
I'm no engineer - this is only my opinion...
I have had the Canon housing for the A20 for a long time and many dives with no problems at all. Then used a friend's A70 and Canon housing for six weeks - again, no problems. Just bought another Canon for the A70 that I will use with students and clients as well as for myself.
Personally, I love the Canon housings and think they perform wonderfully. I wouldn't throw them all out because of leaks...I know that there are too many user error reasons for the leakies LOL
Personally, I love the Canon housings and think they perform wonderfully. I wouldn't throw them all out because of leaks...I know that there are too many user error reasons for the leakies LOL
Read the original post.
One of the function buttons leaked. I exercise them under water to rinse them the best that can be done. They are not replaceable.
There is nothing wrong with the door O-ring and I kept it in perfect shape.
Who would build in an O-ring that cannot be replaced or even accessed? That's the problem.
One of the function buttons leaked. I exercise them under water to rinse them the best that can be done. They are not replaceable.
There is nothing wrong with the door O-ring and I kept it in perfect shape.
Who would build in an O-ring that cannot be replaced or even accessed? That's the problem.
Tortuga Roja
Guest
gulfdiver:
That is a bummer. They certainly should be replaceable. Ike sell replacements for his buttons but his housings cost $600 and up. The thing is, they should have outlasted the camera. The way it was explained to me (by the tech at my LDS) is that the button o-rings get very little use (wear) compared to something like the o-rings in a reg which get wear every time you take a breath. So if yours only lasted for 75 dives, it would likely be caused by improper rinsing and greasing, or a faulty button. Since you say you took proper care, I'd say it was a faulty button or o-ring too.
That's the problem with our consumer society. Everything is becomeing disposable. I feel the same way about printers. I would be happy to pay $1000 for a printer if it would last about 10 years but there's no such thing. You gotta buy them cheap and fill the landfill with 'em.
At least you camera is ok! So you can figure it cost you $2.66 per dive to house your camera which isn't too bad.
Please don't get me wrong! I agree with you, I'm just trying to look at it in the best light.
Groundhog246
Contributor
SEVEN DAYS I looked at an Canon A80 and housing a while back. Canon's warranty on the camera is a pretty standard 1 year. Canon's warranty on their housings is SEVEN DAYS and doesn't cover flooding (and what else would it do to require a warranty?). As soon as I saw that I changed my mind.
At the moment I am attempting to build a housing for a low end camcorder (DV tape).
At the moment I am attempting to build a housing for a low end camcorder (DV tape).
Saturation
Medical Moderator
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