munselln8
Registered
Sorry to resurrect an old post but the topic is relevant to everyone so I thought I would add:
Lubrication of O-rings is ESSENTIAL to O-ring health and longevity! All O-rings (whether Butyl rubber, Nitrile, Silicone or otherwise) require moisture to remain supple and pliable. It is exactly these two features that allow an O-ring to do it's job: Form PRECISELY to an orifice and seal it water-tight. With Camera and lights costing hundreds or thousands of dollars we should NEVER risk loss over $0.20 worth of O-rings.
The true job of Silicone lube is to "Lock out Oxygen" which is, of course, present in the ambient air that we breath and that is coating everything we own / store.
Lack of lubrication (at least in my mind) is the #1 reason for O-ring failure! As our O-rings sit idle in the oxygen laden atmosphere, the oxygen is slowing robbing our O-rings of electrons (oxygen is an oxidizer - which means it steals electrons from other substances). The electrons stolen by oxygen typically come from the water molecules in our O-rings. This slowly dries out our O-rings and cause them to become stiff and brittle. Micro cracks form and their ability to form precisely to an orifice is compromised. The failure of an O-ring (at least in electronics applications) is often catastrophic. Save yourself the frustration! Lubricate your O-rings frequently (as much as after every dive - or at least after every "trip" or consecutive days. I, personally, replace my o-rings annually on electronics, because I won't risk a catastrophic failure.
On air related gear, sure, you can get by until signs of a leak begin to appear (small bubbles escaping your low-pressure inflator, for example. But, with electronics...it's probably too late! Save your sanity and lube and replace those O-rings on a schedule! Good diving everyone. Pardon my wordiness!
Lubrication of O-rings is ESSENTIAL to O-ring health and longevity! All O-rings (whether Butyl rubber, Nitrile, Silicone or otherwise) require moisture to remain supple and pliable. It is exactly these two features that allow an O-ring to do it's job: Form PRECISELY to an orifice and seal it water-tight. With Camera and lights costing hundreds or thousands of dollars we should NEVER risk loss over $0.20 worth of O-rings.
The true job of Silicone lube is to "Lock out Oxygen" which is, of course, present in the ambient air that we breath and that is coating everything we own / store.
Lack of lubrication (at least in my mind) is the #1 reason for O-ring failure! As our O-rings sit idle in the oxygen laden atmosphere, the oxygen is slowing robbing our O-rings of electrons (oxygen is an oxidizer - which means it steals electrons from other substances). The electrons stolen by oxygen typically come from the water molecules in our O-rings. This slowly dries out our O-rings and cause them to become stiff and brittle. Micro cracks form and their ability to form precisely to an orifice is compromised. The failure of an O-ring (at least in electronics applications) is often catastrophic. Save yourself the frustration! Lubricate your O-rings frequently (as much as after every dive - or at least after every "trip" or consecutive days. I, personally, replace my o-rings annually on electronics, because I won't risk a catastrophic failure.
On air related gear, sure, you can get by until signs of a leak begin to appear (small bubbles escaping your low-pressure inflator, for example. But, with electronics...it's probably too late! Save your sanity and lube and replace those O-rings on a schedule! Good diving everyone. Pardon my wordiness!
