Housing Pressure Test

[Uncle B]

Has anyone come up with a method to pressure test a housing at home? I'm thinking it would need to go to at least 60 psi, which should be about 4 atmospheres and rated higher for safety. Maybe a pressurized paint tank? These are rated to 80 psi.

 

[TooCold]

There are commercial ($$) units available - just use your favorite search engine. The DIY forum has multiple examples of home-brew chambers, and useful info on do's and don'ts. Here's a link to one, that includes links to others: link
What size is the housing you're trying to test? I think size and max pressure are the two major cost factors for either commercial or DIY chambers.

I built a little chamber to test DC-sized items, but for larger (like my camera housings) for me it wasn't worth the trouble. Instead, I go for a paddle (kayak) and drop them off a line. This isn't exactly "at home" but for me can be done without having to take a housing on a dive to test, and I can test to pressures well beyond my dive depth (margin is always good).

I mount the housing to be tested on a platform (an aluminum bar) with a dive computer inside, and a second DC outside - both visible to a video camera also mounted on the aluminum bar. Then I paddle the contraption out to deep water and drop it over the side on a line. For me, max pressure is limited just by how long a line I'm willing to haul back up. Might sound odd or complicated but works for me, and getting out in the kayak is a bonus, not a hindrance.

 

[runsongas]

depending on size, a pump sprayer from home depot will work

 

[Uncle B]

I was thinking of something like this. Rated to 80 psi. This would for an Ikelite housing for a Nikon D5100. I could also use it for a smaller housing if needed.

 

[Uncle B]

There are commercial ($$) units available - just use your favorite search engine. The DIY forum has multiple examples of home-brew chambers, and useful info on do's and don'ts. Here's a link to one, that includes links to others: link
What size is the housing you're trying to test? I think size and max pressure are the two major cost factors for either commercial or DIY chambers.

I built a little chamber to test DC-sized items, but for larger (like my camera housings) for me it wasn't worth the trouble. Instead, I go for a paddle (kayak) and drop them off a line. This isn't exactly "at home" but for me can be done without having to take a housing on a dive to test, and I can test to pressures well beyond my dive depth (margin is always good).

I mount the housing to be tested on a platform (an aluminum bar) with a dive computer inside, and a second DC outside - both visible to a video camera also mounted on the aluminum bar. Then I paddle the contraption out to deep water and drop it over the side on a line. For me, max pressure is limited just by how long a line I'm willing to haul back up. Might sound odd or complicated but works for me, and getting out in the kayak is a bonus, not a hindrance.

Thanks for the link. After reading one, I thought my math might be off but I found this: I realize seawater will be denser than fresh water. What is pressure at 100 feet under water? - Answers

 

[ScubaJCBS]

Pretty sure you normally have to see the air bubbles coming out of the pressurized item to tell if it leaked.

 

[Uncle B]

Pretty sure you normally have to see the air bubbles coming out of the pressurized item to tell if it leaked.

I was just going to watch for pressure drop. If seen, I can pressurize the housing, spray with soapy water and look for bubbles.

 

[tursiops]

Just pack the housing with tissue paper, and check for dampness.

 

[AZTinman]

I used to do dunk tests or dive the housings without a camera to check for O-ring seal integrity on my Ikelite housings. Now, I simply use a vacuum valve and pump to make sure nothing is leaking.

-Tinman

 

[Uncle B]

I used to do dunk tests or dive the housings without a camera to check for O-ring seal integrity on my Ikelite housings. Now, I simply use a vacuum valve and pump to make sure nothing is leaking.

-Tinman

I do that too but the best you can get with vacuum is one atmosphere. If it holds several hours, you may be OK but unless using a high-powered vac pump like for refrigeration, you won't get much more than 25" hg. To be sure there are no leaks at 100', I want to go to 4 atmospheres.