greasing your O rings!!

[Cerianthus]

Does the crush type versus barrel type sealing has anything to do with it ?

[regthing]

As Cussy said. The grease is a lubricant not a sealant. Therefore a crush type seal, where the ring is sandwhiched between two surfaces, does not need grease. But if the surface of the o-ring slides against another surface, barrel seal, then it does need grease.

[Cerianthus]

Sorry, but I need to self quote on this

but you hit the nail on the head (or is that just a dutch expression...

Originally Posted by Cerianthus

Cussy,

Ikelite always warnes very strictly that the grease is a lubricant, not a sealant. This counts for all housings, both the gems (the shiney metal bricks) and the diamonts (the see through housings)

on my old Ikelite housing (Minolta 7xi), Ikelte even reccommended not greasing the main O ring, but I see no reference to it anymore in my 20D housing.

With the ikelite ports, a bit of grease will help the port slide in. I had one port fail because I hurried it (but I saw it in time), gotta love that gradual shore entry...


Gerard

[Cussy]

This almost sounds like we are all disagreeing, but I don't think we are.

My final point is this; whether you grease them or not, make sure they are clean of contaminants (and that includes excess and dried silicone, salt and if you own a cat or dog their hairs that seem to get everywhere!!)
Rob

[regthing]

I'm using an Ikelite housing. I tend to make sure it is clean and tend to put a very slight smear of silicon grease on the o-ring just to keep it shiny. The pressure exerted my the clips is a fair amount and deforms the o-ring enough to make be happy that it is pretty bomb proof even if some sh1t does get in.

However the o-ring on my DS125 doesn't get any grease at all due to the coupling not being quite as tight and the thought of attracting sand doesn't appeal as much. It gets removed and a clean every few dives.

Incedentaly has anyones ikelite housing every flooded short of complete stupidity?

[Cerianthus]

Originally Posted by Cussy

This almost sounds like we are all disagreeing, but I don't think we are.

My final point is this; whether you grease them or not, make sure they are clean of contaminants (and that includes excess and dried silicone, salt and if you own a cat or dog their hairs that seem to get everywhere!!)
Rob

Sorry if I gave that impression.....

greasing is easy, cleaning is more difficult.

i normally just run the large orings through my mouth , and then run the ring through my fingers, you can feel the smalles bits. I give any strange spot an extra rub and a big stare.

but then off course, if I forget to close a battery compartment properly, it gets flooded.....