Care of Canon WP-DC34

[igs1962]

I just purchased a Canon underwater housing for my G11, the WP-DC34.

The manual seems to suggest that I actually remove the seal each time I use it in order to apply the silicon. Is that really necessary? I would have thought that removing and handling the seal everyday would damage it.

Any advice?

 

[Squirrel Girl]

I don't remove the o-ring between dives during a trip, but take it out and lube it before a trip. It's always a good idea to check it before each dive, though. Make sure there's no grit or lint.

If you're careful and don't use a dental pick or anything hard, it's probably OK. I did discover I poked a hole in the seal using a toothpick for a watertight kitchen container. So it's maybe easier to damage than I would have though.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I remove the o-ring for storage in-between dives. Others do not.
Prior to diving, I'll re-lube the o-ring and install it. That seems to be consistent with what the manual says to do.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you soak the housing in fresh water after a salt water dive. If you don't do this, salt deposits will cause your buttons to stick. Not good.

A plastic credit card or a guitar pick work well for facilitating removal of the housing o-ring.
The housing doesn't need to be stored in a closed state with o-ring in place (compressed).

Prior to diving with the setup, you should ensure that the o-ring is free of grit, hair, or anything else that might prevent proper sealing in the groove. If you can, test the camera housing for waterproof integrity in a bucket of fresh water prior to diving with it.

 

[Jax]

My very limited experience with my G-10's case is that in a silty environment (mud, sand, etc.) is that I do find dirt on the ring. I remove the o-ring, wipe it down on my lint-free rag, and always find a faint smudge after.

I re-lube and replace. I am convinced.

 

[Nemrod]

I just purchased a Canon underwater housing for my G11, the WP-DC34.

The manual seems to suggest that I actually remove the seal each time I use it in order to apply the silicon. Is that really necessary? I would have thought that removing and handling the seal everyday would damage it.

Any advice?

Yes, you are supposed to remove the door O ring and clean and lube it with the provided lubricant each and every time you open the housing. As well you are supposed to clean the mating surfaces and the O ring groove. Failure to do so will eventually cause a flood.

N

 

[diver 85]

I've used a Canon housing for my A570 for almost 4 years(over 200 dives with it) ---never any problems & usually grease the oring about every nite on a trip, have occasionally skipped a nite & greased it the next nite...I remove it from the case & store the case without an oring in between dive trips....hope this helps.....