Newbie question - how often should I clean/lube the housing o-ring

[andrethediver]

I just got a Canon WP-DC300 housing to use with my old Canon S50. I am going on a trip this week and was curious as to how often I need to open the housing/remove and re-lube the housing o-ring? After a day of diving or every time the housing is opened? Also, what silica packs should I go with? Thanks.

 

[FrankPro1]

I clean off and re lube my o-ring after every day of diving. If I have to change the battery or sd card between dives, I'll usually look over the o-ring and clean off any debris. I used to use silica packs on every dive with my Olympus camera/housing. I'm using a G10 / Ikelite setup now and have not used it once. Maybe when the summer comes and the humidity rises, I'll start using them again. But I haven't seen the need to just yet.

 

[scubadude79]

I think from my training they said to clean, re-lube and inspect the o-ring any time the case is opened. Obviously you will need to do something if you detect water is leaking in the case.

Make sure you use lube that is compatible with your o-ring and case, and don't use too much lube. Just use enough to make the o-ring appear wet. It is the o-ring that makes the seal, not the lube.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[miketsp]

As far as I'm concerned the less you play with your o-ring the better.
Every time you take it out to clean it you will stretch it a little and there will come a time when it becomes too long, doesn't seat right and you will get a kink and a leak.
On my housing that I first started started using in 2002, I lubricated well the o-ring and then for 7 years just rinsed the housing (closed) after use, let it dry, ran my finger very lightly around the o-ring feeling for any grit or salt which I would wipe off with a lint-free cloth if I found any, and then put a new film of lubricant. Even so, last month I had to replace the o-ring because it had "grown" to be larger than the seating.
Still that's 7 1/2 years regular use from the first o-ring with never a drop of water inside the housing.

 

[Hatul]

As far as I'm concerned the less you play with your o-ring the better.
Every time you take it out to clean it you will stretch it a little and there will come a time when it becomes too long, doesn't seat right and you will get a kink and a leak.
On my housing that I first started started using in 2002, I lubricated well the o-ring and then for 7 years just rinsed the housing (closed) after use, let it dry, ran my finger very lightly around the o-ring feeling for any grit or salt which I would wipe off with a lint-free cloth if I found any, and then put a new film of lubricant. Even so, last month I had to replace the o-ring because it had "grown" to be larger than the seating.
Still that's 7 1/2 years regular use from the first o-ring with never a drop of water inside the housing.

Can I ask you how you store the housing between dives? Do you close the housing or leave it open?

Adam

 

[NTSilver]

I'm with Miketsp - people who mess with their o rings always seem to have flooding issues. I generally lube at the half way point in a week of diving. I generally dive once a quarter and I leave the o ring on the housing. Do not over lube either. I this is a common new photographer mistake.

 

[andrethediver]

I clean off and re lube my o-ring after every day of diving. If I have to change the batt

In other words you don't take out/re-lubricate the o-ring if you have to open the housing in between the dives? Thanks.

 

[andrethediver]

I'm with Miketsp - people who mess with their o rings always seem to have flooding issues. I generally lube at the half way point in a week of diving. I generally dive once a quarter and I leave the o ring on the housing. Do not over lube either. I this is a common new photographer mistake.

In other words you open/close hosing multiple times before you re-lubricate the o-ring, is that correct? Just trying to get a feel how often lubrication has to take place - I guess after every o-ring cleaning? What do people use to clean the o-ring? Where do you get 'lint-free' cloths? Will paper towel do? Thanks.

 

[FrankPro1]

In other words you don't take out/re-lubricate the o-ring if you have to open the housing in between the dives? Thanks.

Yep. Just inspect it for grit or debris. If its clean I close the case back up and then verify the seal "my Ikelite housing is clear". At the end of the day rinse heavily with fresh water, air dry and then a thin "just a smidgen" layer of lube.

 

[miketsp]

Can I ask you how you store the housing between dives? Do you close the housing or leave it open?

Adam

Multiple dives, multiple days, I keep it closed.
More than a few days between dives I store it open (the housing came with a rubber wedge to hold it ajar) inside a plastic freezer bag that is well sealed so no dust or dirt gets at the housing.