Used Reafmaster external strobe

[dkerr]

My wife bought the external strobe off the internet on some auction. To make a long story short we got the strobe for free (the seller's idea!) because of a supposedly missing bracket. I hooked it up last night with no problem and it works fine. I want to make sure there will be no flooding so should I
A) Inspect the seals thouroughly-and is there anything specific I should look for? or
B) Buy new seels for it.
I have no qualms about buying new seels if it is neccessary, but I did not see anything obviously wrong with it when my untrained eye looked at it. Any idea how much all of the seels would cost?
Thanks everyone!
Doug

 

[Dee]

I can't help you with the price of new Reefmaster O-rings (seals) but if replacing them isn't a problem, I'd do it. For peace of mind if nothing else...it's cheap insurance against a flood! I do have experience with camera O-ring maintainance.

A) Inspect the seals thouroughly-and is there anything specific I should look for?

1. Run them lightly through your fingers feeling for suppleness, grit, cracks, consistant diameter, etc.

2. Since you don't know how old they are or how they've been taken care of, inspect them closely under a magnifying glass and look for the above.

Whether you buy new ones or use the old ones....

1. Make sure you use the proper brand/formula of silicone grease for lubrication.

2. Do not use too much grease! You just want the O-ring shiney, no lumps of grease or obvious use of it. Too much grease will attract sand, grit, hair, lint, etc. causing a leakage.

If you aren't going to use your camera/strobe for a week or more, remove the O-rings, inspect them thoroughly, apply fresh grease and place in a zip-lock bag for storage. When they are left on for extended periods, the constant compression will cause them to become flat on one side, losing the integrity of the seal.

Me? I'd buy new ones!

 

[dkerr]

Shortly after posting this thread I realized how truley stupid the wuestion was. Why would I even take a chance on rings that I know nothing about? Why take a chance on destroying my new flash and have to end up buying one for retail?
Yeah, I'm just a big dumb animal!
Thanks again
Doug
p.s. I will be sure to post some pix as soon as I get some developed

 

[AliKat]

I would check with Pioneer Research, who makes the reefmaster. I own a reefmaster, and unlike most other cameras, you do not remove the O rings for maint. or replacement. So I'm not even sure you could purchase replacement rings for this strobe.

Also, the reefmaster not require any greasing of the O rings and the instructions say specifically not to grease them.