Storing housing O-rings

[BlueDevil]

When storing a housing between dives do you leave the O-ring in place in the housing (ie in the groove) or should it be removed and stored seperately?

Does it make a difference if the time betwen dives is a few days as compared to weeks or months?

Thanks

 

[Diver Dennis]

I've always just left mine in and latched the case loosely. I've got over 800 dives on the housing and have never had to change o-rings but I do carry extra in case I screw one up. I do, however, grease and clean all the o-rings every time I open the housing or take the batteries off my strobes.

That said, I do know people who store removed and greased o-rings in a zip lock bag. Can't hurt.

 

[xariatay]

My 1st o-ring was destroyed because it was left in the groove all the time, it got stretched beyond use in abt 2yrs...
Sea & Sea shop recommendation is to remove from groove, clean, grease & put into zip-loc. Have been following this faithfully, hope it will prolong its life... ;-)

Oh I guess if it is not for storage, it is ok to leave it in... But I also grease it after several dives, when it is dry...

 

[ApexLongimanus]

for a week of diving, i leave it in. for longer storage i remove and it keep ziplocked.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

If left in the groove long term, o-rings can take a set and will need to be replaced. Over the course of a week that is not an issue and on a boat, or for that matter anywhere outside a starage case, I'd keep the housing latched to ensure water does not enter and dust does not contaminate the o-ring or mating surfaces.

For long term storage I keep the 0-ring in a zip lock.

With regard to an o-ring stretching in use - that does not happen. What does happen is that silicone grease or a spray with silicone in it will cause a silicone o-ring to expand and since most of the expansion occurs along the lenght of the o-ring, it appears to stretch. If you read the fine print carefully, the "silicone" grease that comes with housings using silicone o-rings contains no silicone at all.

 

[lmorin]

Canon recommends removal from the case when not in use for prolonged intervals. I just bought a new o-ring. It is circular. The one that came with the case has assumed the shape of the case. Not good and says something negative about keeping the o-ring in place.

 

[paradicio]

For long term storage I keep the 0-ring in a zip lock.

Same here. If I am not going to dive for two weeks or more I put it in a ziplock that I store inside the housing, just so I don't lose it.

 

[ce4jesus]

In a ziplock. Additionally, it sounds like a marketing scheme, but I've heard that all orings and grease are not compatible. I'd use only the recommended grease.