O-Ring Removal/Replacement - Lucky or Stupid?

[TravelDave]

Looking at the manual for my new Canon housing, it says that I should remove the O-ring each time to lube it and replace it once a year. On my old Olympus housing, I always lubed the O-ring while it was in the groove (I never removed it). I also didn't replace the O-ring at all during the 5 years I owned the housing (with usually 1-2 dive trips per year).

Never had any problems. Am I lucky, stupid, or normal?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[markr]

Normally it's best to follow the manufacturers instructions. Something to remember about o-rings, if you leave them installed all the time they will eventually get compressed. This is especially true if you store the housing clamped shut. Ikelite and Sea-and-Sea both suggest removing the o-rings and keeping them in a plastic bag when the housing is being stored.

 

[ReefHound]

Every flood I've ever seen can be traced to user error installing the o-ring or closing the housing. I prefer to leave things alone. Every 3 or 4 months I'll remove and inspect the o-ring, replacing only if deformed or nicked, else lubing and reinstalling. You don't remove and replace the o-rings in anything else before every dive. How often do you lube or replace tank o-rings? That's 3000 psi trying to escape and o-rings still can last for years.

 

[diver 85]

Looking at the manual for my new Canon housing, it says that I should remove the O-ring each time to lube it and replace it once a year. On my old Olympus housing, I always lubed the O-ring while it was in the groove (I never removed it). I also didn't replace the O-ring at all during the 5 years I owned the housing (with usually 1-2 dive trips per year).

Never had any problems. Am I lucky, stupid, or normal?

Thanks,
Dave

.........remove the o-ring and lubricate it each time you open it, if not you run a risk of 'trash' getting in/on the space where the ring sits------replace it when it needs it ie cracked, split etc etc etc........

 

[Larry C]

Knock on wood. I'm still using the o-ring that came in my housing after 3 years. It looks, acts and feels perfect. I never remove it for storage, but I seldom go more than two weeks without diving and shooting pictures. I do pull it about once a month or so, swab the o-ring groove with a clean make-up q-tip and lube and reinstall the o-ring. I check and wipe the o-ring and its mating surface when I put the camera in and take it out, usually once per dive day. I ALWAYS check it in bright light for hairs, sand and salt before closing and ALWAYS check and recheck the latches. The one time I almost flooded, I left one latch open and noticed it when I hooked the camera to my lanyard in the water. Three or four drops got in.

 

[herman]

I don't remove or lube my Orings every dive. Usually I do a very careful inspection, cleaning and lubing before every dive trip. If you keep them out of the sunlight and away from harmful chemicals modern Orings will last a long time. One thing I do every time I close the housing is to very carefully inspect the entire Oring surfaces with a magnifying glass. I also make it practice that I only open or close my housing in a clean environment, never on a boat or beach. The Orings on my PT15 are 4 or 5 years old and still appear in prefect shape so I still use them.

 

[maged_mmh]

Looking at the manual for my new Canon housing, it says that I should remove the O-ring each time to lube it and replace it once a year. On my old Olympus housing, I always lubed the O-ring while it was in the groove (I never removed it). I also didn't replace the O-ring at all during the 5 years I owned the housing (with usually 1-2 dive trips per year).

Never had any problems. Am I lucky, stupid, or normal?

Thanks,
Dave

I do the same as you did with your Oly for my G9 canon housing; no problems so far.

 

[AndyT]

I dive every weekend and usually clean and lube the o-rings once a month, sometimes even less.
I store the housing open with the o-ring in place, just check it for hairs and particles before closing.

If however I have been diving and there has been lots of sand or silt stirred up I will remove, clean and lube the o-ring.

If the o-ring does not fit snugly or feels as if it has stretched I will replace it.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

The manufacturers may be recommending replace and lube every battery or card change because they get to sell you new o-rings every year that way. To cleaning and lube one usually gently pulls the o-ring through a cleaning cloth and then gently pulls the o-ring through your fingers. Even gentle pulling stretches the o-ring. My Olympus housing has two o-rings and unless you shut the LCD hood leash in the door it is a pretty bullet proof seal. I have more than one housing and used one for a quite a few dives before noticing the inner o-ring was not installed; never had a drop. I lube approximately monthly and store with rings in place; never had a drop, except when I made other mistakes.

 

[Eskasi]

Looking at the manual for my new Canon housing, it says that I should remove the O-ring each time to lube it and replace it once a year. On my old Olympus housing, I always lubed the O-ring while it was in the groove (I never removed it). I also didn't replace the O-ring at all during the 5 years I owned the housing (with usually 1-2 dive trips per year).

Never had any problems. Am I lucky, stupid, or normal?

Thanks,
Dave

You are lucky. Each time I dive when there is a lot of silt/sand stirred up.....I go back and upon removal of the Oring, I see sand and other bits under the oring and/or in the seat. I once had a strobe with a slow leak because I did what you did and just inspected the surface and gave it a light rub with silicone....

I don't think you need to replace the Oring each year as long as you store it well and keep it lubed during storage. I can't imagine the manufacturer or retailer throwing out Oring stocks that they don't sell after a year! It's an O'ring....not a food product. I would only replace it the moment I see it isn't fitting well, is deformed or starting to show signs of wear or cracks. I also don't get to dive as much as I would like to.

In any case, I would at least remove and keep the Oring, lube it and place in a ziploc baggie within the housing when not in use.....this will prevent the oring from deforming from being constantly compressed when not in use for long periods. I would also take out the Oring and inspect the grooves too after any dive in silty conditions. The crude ALWAYS manages to find a way in. That's what I do....others may have a different opinion of course....