Silicon Grease is it special for Camera Housing?

[DandyDon]

Is that because the O rings are made of silicone?

For an O ring made of silicone what's the right grease?

Adam

I think that is correct, and they say not to use S-grease on them. I've dived the 1 mp, 3mp, and 5mp - soon to dive the 12 mp, never used any grease, never had a leak.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Is that because the O rings are made of silicone?

For an O ring made of silicone what's the right grease?

The topic of this thread seems to come up every few months here on ScubaBoard.

The manufacturers of UW camera housings tend to use different materials for their o-rings. O-rings can be made of silicone, fluorosilicone, nitrile, neoprene, etc. There is no standard.

If one uses a grease that is incompatible with a particular o-ring, it can cause the o-ring to swell/stretch and will prevent the o-ring from sealing like it should. The result is a housing leak and possibly destruction of your digital camera.

AFAIK, a generic, food-grade silicone grease (such as the one sold by Trident in scuba shops) is incompatible with a silicone o-ring, like the o-rings provided with Olympus UW housings. I have heard several reports of people using the Trident lube with the Olympus o-ring. Within a few dives, the o-ring swells up, stretches out significantly, and causes a housing flood. Not good.

So what do we do about this?
The safest approach is to use whatever lube the manufacturer says to (or don't use any lube at all if that's what is specifed). Buy a few spare tubes of the stuff and keep them in handy locations (save-a-dive kit, camera bag, dive bag, dive closet, etc.). While you're at it, buy a replacement o-ring, too.
Another option is to take a new housing o-ring (made by the maker of the housing) to your favorite local o-ring supplier and purchase a replacement o-ring identical in thickness, length, shape, and durometer but with a known material composition. Then you can determine what the best lube to use is, and you won't be tied to purchasing the housing manufacturer's expensive stuff.

Personally, I have found that Tribolube 71 (an oxygen-compatible grease that I use on my regs) will work with my Canon UW housing o-rings. I've heard that Tribolube 71 can also be used on Ikelite o-rings. I'm not sure whether Tribolube 71 is safe to use on other camera housing o-rings.

Based on people's negative experiences with the Trident food-based silicone grease with Olympus o-rings, I wouldn't attempt to use it with my Canon o-rings.

Hope this info helps...

 

[davetowz]

I use Ikelite and my thought is that for the little bit I use to lube the oring the cost of buying the lube from Ikelite is not much. I use the Ikelite lube only on my cam orings. 1 tube lasts forever.

 

[deadpoetforlife]

Thank you all for the help.

I spoke to a dive manager at a dive store here in Goa India. He told me it was ok to use any silicone grease as they are all the same. Most of them anyways.

Except the following
-- Epoxy silicone grease used in metals that works like glue for sealing between connections
--Another high viscosity for large metals and machine parts

But any silicone grease used for plastic and rubber is applicable he says. Most of the time the silicone grease used in our consumer appliances and compact gadgets is the same non soluble silicone. They mention whether it is absorbable or not. (O-ring swelling)

If i understand it right the silicone grease is used to protect the o-ring from wearing out faster than it should (like lubricant between friction surfaces).

Cause a good sealant like synthetic rubber or rubber (which we all see in our day to day lives eg. the cookie jar) and if your in a high humidity area then in all the jars and bottles to prevent moisture entering your contents ruining them), are dry with a tight fix.

Here is a link to a forum ---> the speaker is a 15 year dive instructor. (i think) check this out
GoProUser.freeforums.org • View topic - Care of waterproof housing o-ring

This is WHAT I UNDERSTOOD from it

1. Dont worry too much about ruining your over -priced super features camera. Chances are if you spent so much now you will probably upgrade in a little while.

2. Learn the functions on it better. And enjoy the pictures you take

3. Be Patient when assembling or disassembling your equipment. Take your time to do it right like using it for the first time. It doesn’t matter if you have done it a thousand times before

4. Inspect the surface clean with any clean cotton cloth (easily available). Apply the lubricant on the o-ring and place it in. There after close the cover gently.

5. After the first time always inspect the o-ring with slightly greased fingers (so you don’t wipe off the existing grease) for cracks dry spots and dents. Overenthusiasm aka over greasing attracts dust and dirt. Prefer a visual inspection only if you’re doing a series of dives

6. Wash and rinse your camera with fresh water and pat dry with your towel before you open it. (after the dive).

7. Don’t be in a hurry to take your camera out after every dive. the LCD gives you a general idea of what you shot and how it looks. But inspect for water leakes etc. before every dive.


Please feel free to add or correct to "my understanding care for the O-ring”

Thank you

 

[DandyDon]

Which camera do YOU have? I'd follow manufacture directions. The 7 points you listed are ok, altho I don't want to ruin old ones even, never have, always good to pass along to someone else.

Additionally, I like to soak the dive camera in water before and after dives...

Before, soak in any water, fresh or salt, or a wet T-shirt, to prevent condensation on the lens during a fast temperature change.

After, to prevent drying of salt water with other hard chemicals on the lens.

Eventually, soaked for an hour in soft water to remove any precipitations.
​

 

[deadpoetforlife]

Hi, Don,

I have a G9, i bought a few years ago.

regards

 

[DandyDon]

Hi, Don,

I have a G9, i bought a few years ago.

regards

Then I think it'd be good to replace the O-ring if it is old, and follow Bubble's suggestions on S-grease above.

 

[Doubler]

Silicone grease is not used for sealing purposes but to keep the o-ring pliable. There are different formulas and each manufacturer determines which formula is best suited for the chemical composition of their o-rings. Using the wrong formula may make the o-ring swell, not using silicone can make the o-ring brittle both of which spell doom for your housing. Use the grease recommended by the manufacturer according to their instructions. It is true that the chemical composition of some o-rings do not require grease. Insure you inspect the o-ring for sand, dirt, hair etc. Before each use. The practise of not opening the housing and inspecting the o-ring after each dive will eventually bite you in the butt. One grain of sand that worked it's way into a o-ring groove can be disastrous.

 

[Doubler]

I never ever leave my camera alone in the camera dip tank. More floods happen in the dip tank than in the ocean. Prior to a dive I place it in the tank, check for leaks and then remove it. After the dive I place it in the tank, stay with it and remove it after a couple of minutes. Leaving it in the tank is just asking for someone to just drop their rig right on top of yours and dislodge the port or something.

 

[DandyDon]

The practise of not opening the housing and inspecting the o-ring after each dive will eventually bite you in the butt.

Really?! Once I close mine in the AC room, I like to leave it closed on the boat. I hate to let moisture inside the housing between dives.