replacement o-ring for pt-010 housing

[sallys]

are there any o-rings in newer olympus models that would fit the discontinued olympus pt-010 underwater housing? any thoughts or should i trash it.

 

[gert7to3]

Bummer, you're still looking?

I tried google, to no avail. You might try contacting Olympus directly. Or try one of the dealers (Helix, Reef Photo, Adorama, B and H Photo) and ask if they have the item in stock. If not, then ask if there is a similar sized camera housing, with o rings available, and try to substitute. Many of these housings are pretty close in size and shape. There were many instances where only a few buttons changed position. However, pretty close might not be good enough, so test the housing empty before you try it with a camera.

Another alternative is to contact Olympus for the o ring specs. Then look for an O ring manufacturer. You might be able to get something made for a reasonable price. It wouldn't necessarily have to be made of silicone rubber either. Butyl or neoprene should work just as well. If you have to buy a minimum quantity, the extra stock could probably be sold on this board.

 

[Dee]

If you find any let me know. Beast has started using the old 4040/PT10 rig and I don't have a spare o-ring for it.

 

[driftwood]

I still use the 020 housing for the Oly 5060 and was able to match the rings in Buna NOT the silicon that Oly used. I got mine matched at Austin Seal Company. Not much help to people in Colorado or Houston since you have to take the rings in to get them measured. I am sure that you can find an oring distributor in your area. You can check with your LDS and ask where they buy their orings.

There are several problems.

First, most of these shops have a minimum order. In ASC's case it is around $20. If you have a computer with a user replaceable battery, take that seal in and get 10 or so (mine ran me $0.25 each) and any other ring you use (like your tank valve ring).

Second, be prepared for anti sticker shock. A set of 4 rings for my housing ran less than $6 opposed to the $40+ for Oly's. Also a battery kit for my computer runs $22 for a $4 battery and a $0.25 ring.

Third, I can promise you that the rings you need for the 010 will be a very strange size metric ring. The shop will probably have to special order them and that takes time. Then you have to fit the ring in the housing to see if the measurements were correct. Once all that is done, I highly recommend that you pressure test the housing and new rings (without your camera) down to at least 80'.

Up to you to decide if it is worth the trouble, but at least you know there is at least one other 010 housing owner looking for rings.

Edit: The buna rings are a lot harder than the silicon rings and the hatch on my housing sits higher when unlatched with the Buna rings. To be on the safe side, I don't store my housing latched. The physics of harder vs softer rings sealing works out to be roughly the same but I don't see the need to stress the latches on the housing over long periods of time.

 

[sallys]

Thanks for the advice. I'll let y'all know what I find out!

 

[Reefwalker]

While looking through my camera cupboards yesterday I found a brand new PT010 yellow silicon 'O' Ring. Its free to a good home, just pay the postage cost from Bali to wherever you are?
Best to send me a Private Mail as I am not always on this forum (it takes too long to load on my slow connection) :depressed:

 

[driftwood]

Very nice of you Jeff.