questions on Olympus housing maintenance

[CLA]

Hi I have a PT020 and a 027 and have some questions regarding maintenace;

1) Is it necessary to clean and grease the o-rings on the standard port even if I don't use a wide-angle lens (and hence don't open that port anyway)? Similarly, is it necessary to clean or maintain the TTL connector cap and o-ring even if I don't use a TTL cable? I don't really mind cleaning the port but I was wondering if excessive manipulation would just loosen the port lock buckles or cause the o-rings to stretch.

2) How long can you keep the 0-rings in the housing in between dives? The manuals state that you have to store them in a plastic bag " if the case is not to be used for a long time" - but they did not say exactly how long. Is 2 weeks a long time?

3) How do you remove the minerals that deposit on the metal screw of the balance weight, strobe arms and base?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Cathy

 

[djanni]

Error on the side that "more maintenance is better."

Ensure the housing gets plenty of fresh water to dilute the salt. Removing the port after a weeks worth of diving and cleaning the groves and greasing up the o-rings is probably a good idea. Same goes for the TTL connector cap. Sure can't hurt.

Removing the o-rings and storing separately... I would do that if putting it away for 6 months or so.

Again, soaking in fresh water is the best way to aviod minerial buildup anywhere on the housing. The build up on the balance weight and etc is probably because you are soaking them while assembled. If the deposits are already there soak the individual pieces 24 to 48 hours and see if you can with it off after that. You can't over soak it you know.

 

[Gilligan]

Good advice from Don Janni.

I wouldn't leave the main O-ring(s) in with the back panel closed and locked as it keeps it under pressure. That may create "memory" on them over time. Just leaving them in the housing groove may also do that over time. I take my main O-ring out after every day's use and store it in a baggy. I like to eyeball it for debris before every use.

 

[AndyT]

Definitely remove and clean the TTL connector cap regularly - I do mine after every weekend .If any salt water gets into the threads the cap will be difficult if not impossible to remove . Oly improved the bulkhead by putting an o-ring at the base , but I would not take any chances .

The main O-rings go into a ziplock after every weekends diving .

I have never removed the front port - too many reports of sheared off locking lugs .Maybe once a month ?

 

[djanni]

Good advice from Don Janni.

I wouldn't leave the main O-ring(s) in with the back panel closed and locked as it keeps it under pressure. That may create "memory" on them over time. Just leaving them in the housing groove may also do that over time. I take my main O-ring out after every day's use and store it in a baggy. I like to eyeball it for debris before every use.

Thanks Jim but your advice may be better than mine as I haven't worried too much about leaving the o-rings in place for 2 months at a time and with the case locked shut to boot. Maybe I'll start taking them out more frequently. Can't hurt, right!

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I wouldn't leave the main O-ring(s) in with the back panel closed and locked as it keeps it under pressure. That may create "memory" on them over time. Just leaving them in the housing groove may also do that over time. I take my main O-ring out after every day's use and store it in a baggy. I like to eyeball it for debris before every use.

When I got my housing, Olympus had the o-ring in and the case locked down. It could have been there for more than a year.

Is there an Olympus howto explaining the possible o-ring issue?

 

[CLA]

Thanks for the advice Don, Jim and Andy. I guess I should try to be more OC in maintaining my housings. My 027 is new but my 020 has has been leak-free for more than a year so I've started to become complacent in after-dive care. Cooltech, my housings also came with the port o-rings locked down so I assumed it was unsafe to "fool around" with them. However, on the 8th month of use I noticed fine sand particles in the groove so I was forced to finally open the port and clean the grooves. I have changed the 2 big o-rings on the doors but forgot to order new ones for the port. I’ll probably have to do that soon.

Andy, I have actually never tried opening the TTL connector caps of either housing but will try doing that for 027. I’ll just leave the 020 TTL cap alone because it's probably sealed shut with sediment by now.

Since I never plan to use the port on the 020 do you think it would be safer to just seal it permanently shut- so I'll have one less water entry-point to worry about? If so, what would be a good sealant?

Lastly, since I’ll be doing more maintenance from now on do you think it’s safe to use a substitute o-ring grease? The Oly tube is so tiny and it’s hard to order from where I live.

Cathy

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

... Cooltech, my housings also came with the port o-rings locked down so I assumed it was unsafe to "fool around" with them. However, on the 8th month of use I noticed fine sand particles in the groove so I was forced to finally open the port and clean the grooves. I have changed the 2 big o-rings on the doors but forgot to order new ones for the port. I’ll probably have to do that soon. ...

Please, understand... I clean the o-ring before every dive day. I use the supplied pick tool, clean and lubricate it. Then, place it back into the housing.

After dives, I clean the entire outer housing. Then repeat 0-ring procedure before my next dive.

But, I do store it with the o-ring in and locked down. I feel there is less chance for contamination this way.
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I was simply looking for information or howto from the manufacturer stating I should take it out and store it seperately.