O-Rings

[mm777]

My OW course didn't cover much on equipment rinsing/maintenance.

What basic info does this newcomer need to know about o-rings?
Where are the most common ones located and are they all different sizes?
If so, how do I go about purchasing spares (with no local dive shop in town).

~

[Creed]

There was a thread not too long about orings:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=69660

You can order orings from virtually all of the online scuba stores. Try scubatoys.com.
Here is one source for bulk orings:
http://www.air-oil.com/oringsonlinefset.htm

[ScubaSarus]

Know which O-rings need silicone and which dont. If your unsure just ask.I never put silicone on my tank o-rings and I put a very light coat on flashlight o-rings. As a beginner you should not have to mess with too many o-rings.

[scubatoys]

And for any o-rings you do put silicone on, remember... make them shiny... not greasy.

[J75]

mm777,

You can pick up a box of spare o-rings pretty cheaply online. Try Larry there above. You can get a box of them for under $10 usually and it will contain a variety of sizes. You should always have a couple of spares on you, even if you only rent your tanks. You never know when you'll need one and it's a real damper on your day if you don't have a spare.

J75

[jonnythan]

Don't put silicone on tank O-rings or O-rings where hoses connect to your first stage. An O-ring that's lubed up will collect dirt and debris and move easily.. so if you don't want that, don't use lubrication :)

[Tassie_Rohan]

It’s a good idea to always carry a couple of spare o-rings: you'll be surprised how many tanks you hire will have worn out ones. Inspect the o-rings for cracks/tears and if present test them by connecting the 1st stage, and turning on the air. A bit of water on the seal will show any leaks.

The best tool I’ve found for extracting a leaking O ring from a tank valve is a mini dental pick found in most drug stores. They are only 4-5 cm long and the hook is covered when not in use. (others appear to enjoy popping O-rings by partially loosening the tank valve and turning on the air…). In a pinch turning the old o-ring over and reseating will fix the leak. Yolk tank valves take size 2-014 o-rings.

Cheers,
Rohan.

[Hoosier]

Can I use Danco's o-ring that is sold at Lowes or Home Depot? Or do I have to use the specific branded o-ring? LDS used to charge $1 per ring. It is too much I think.

[Tassie_Rohan]

Can I use Danco's o-ring that is sold at Lowes or Home Depot? Or do I have to use the specific branded o-ring? LDS used to charge $1 per ring. It is too much I think.


Hi there Hoosier -

I guess if you took an O ring in to Home Depot and found once that matched it in terms of diameter, width and, just as importantly, compressibility, then you should be fine. I’ve got no idea how durable they would be compared to branded ones (when dealing with high pressure, repeated compression, UV light and salt water) and there’s the question of compatibility if you use anything other than air. I’d guess if you got ones with the same compositon you could stock up with a life times supply quite cheaply.

Personally I just buy the branded ones from my LDS. Most online dive stores sell 20 for around $ 3-$ 5 (or considerably more for nitox/o2 compatible) - that would be enough for a couple of years of using rental tanks (I’d say 1:10 TO 1:20 had dodgy O-rings). Compared to how much I spend on diving gear and diving holidays its small change.

Cheers,
Rohan.

[chrisch]

...(or considerably more for nitox/o2 compatible) ...

Ordinary O rings are fine for EAN & O2, the Viton ones just last longer. Don't pay extra, it just makes the LDS more money!

Chris

[stonefish0]

Ordinary O rings are fine for EAN & O2, the Viton ones just last longer. Don't pay extra, it just makes the LDS more money!

Chris

What about o rings for flashlights/cameras/dive computers...does anyone know
if off-the-shelf o rings from a local hardware shop will do...?

[Hoosier]

O-ring for the major part isn't a secret specification, but pretty much universal size. I attached the specification in other thread. You can look at it though. But, O-rings for flashlights, camera, housing, or dive computer is another story. Because there is not that much disclosed information. In addition, each brand uses a different specification, even within the same brand. I amsure that they don't make and use any special sized O-rings though.

[stonefish0]

Yeah well...I recently tried to get a replacement O ring for my UK SL4 and was told that they'd have to order it...wondering what material and size it is so I can just get it from a local hardware store rather than go through the hassle of waiting and then have to pay something like $2 tor *one* o ring...!

[Marek K]

Yeah well...I recently tried to get a replacement O ring for my UK SL4 and was told that they'd have to order it...wondering what material and size it is so I can just get it from a local hardware store rather than go through the hassle of waiting and then have to pay something like $2 tor *one* o ring...!
Well, http://www.air-oil.com/oringsonlinefset.htm is a great resource for that too. Under http://www.air-oil.com/sizechart_frmset.htm, they give the dimenstions of all their o-rings. Lay the old ring out on the table flat, so it "springs" into its perfectly round shape, and just measure carefully. Inside diameter, outside diameter, thickness. It's easy enough to discern 1/32-inch differences with a wooden ruler.

No manufacturer is going to be using non-standard o-rings in their equipment. Even if they did, standard ones should be close enough.

Unfortunately, air-oil.com have a mimimum quantity policy on each size, and a minimum total order price. But if you're ordering spare o-rings for everything you've got at once, it's probably worth it -- lifetime supply.

--Marek

[Hoosier]

Marek K actually guides a right place you can go. But, the main issue is to find out the exact size from the manufacture. It is a big hassle....specially for UW housing.

[Dan Gibson]

You can find o-ring sizing tools here.

http://www.marcorubber.com/sizing_cone.htm

http://web1.marcorubber.com/cgibin/hsrun.exe/web/aplusweb/aplusweb.htx;Start=HS_Home

The cost is $20. For some people, it's worth the cost. For others, go go to your local o-ring supplier and ask theem to tell you what it is.



Marek K actually guides a right place you can go. But, the main issue is to find out the exact size from the manufacture. It is a big hassle....specially for UW housing.

[Hoosier]

No, it is a definately worth to buy the O-rings from Air-Oil or marcorubber. Based on my quote, $12 covers all major O-rings (five different size and 100 quantity each) shipped to your door. I paid $1 only for one O-ring when I refilled the air at LDS.

Here is my post in other thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=97020
P.S. Dan Gibson gave me an insight when I quoted this.


You can find o-ring sizing tools here.

http://www.marcorubber.com/sizing_cone.htm

http://web1.marcorubber.com/cgibin/hsrun.exe/web/aplusweb/aplusweb.htx;Start=HS_Home

The cost is $20. For some people, it's worth the cost. For others, go go to your local o-ring supplier and ask theem to tell you what it is.

[txmanager]

I've been searching around the forum to find some more info on lubricating O-rings. I'm fairly new to the sport and want to make sure I'm lubricating the right rings and not screwing equipment up or getting into trouble at depth. So far this is the most info I have found on the subject. Just want to make sure I'm on the same page, all O-rings should be lubricated with silicone grease (shiny/not greasy) except for those on tank valves and first stages. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[herman]

Here is a pretty simple way do decide grease vs no grease. The purpose of the grease is to lube the Oring as it moves past it's mating surfaces. It plays no part in the sealing function of the Oring. So, if the Oring is simply squeezed between 2 surfaces it does not need lube. On the other hand, if one of the mating surfaces moves in relationship to the Oring, it needs to be lubed reguardless of wheather the surface continues to move or not after assembly. Assuming you go easy on the grease and use the proper type of grease for that application there is no harm in greasing any of them. The Oring should be slick and shiny but no globs of grease.

[Colliam7]

Where are the most common ones located and are they all different sizes? If so, how do I go about purchasing spares (with no local dive shop in town).There are 4-5 'primary' O-rings that divers might need, but THE primary O-ring most divers ever need is the yoke valve O-ring (referred to by the DASH number 014). As several posters noted, with no local dive shop, you can buy them on-line at a large number of sites. I would add Reef Scuba in VA to the list of potential suppliers - very good outfit. You can also buy the yoke valve O-ring at Home Depot or Lowes, as Danco #9. The specs for the 014 O-ring - inside diameter, outside diameter and wall thicknes - are ½, 5/8, and 1/16", respectively. In addition, other O-rings that you might need at some point include: 003 - HP hose SPG spool, 010 - LP hose/2nd stage interface, 011 - 3/8" LP port, 012 - 7/16" HP port, 013 - ½" LP port, 112 - DIN valve, 116 – Tank neck, ½”, and 214 – Tank neck, ¾”. I have moved to DIN regs so the 012 is in my Save-A-Dive Kit. I also have had a regulator 1st stage HP port ring blow once, on Bonaire, and it cost me a dive, so having O-rings that fit both my regulator HP and LP ports is a measure of security for me. And, I keep tank neck rings at home, and replace them when I pull the valves for VIPing and oxygen cleaning. But, to reiterate my beginning comment, the primary (if not only) O-ring that most divers need to have spares for is the yoke valve (on the tank) O-ring. If you have DIN regs or tanks, then the 112 becomes the primary.

[herman]

Great info....but besides the post above mine, this thread is 2 1/2 years old.

[Colliam7]

Great info....but besides the post above mine, this thread is 2 1/2 years old.OK, my bad. Saw yours, looked at the first one but didn't note the date, and commented, missing the whole 'shift to lubrication question' theme. Too much time on my hands with the weather. Why aren't you in Bonaire?

[herman]

The plans are in the works for July...come go with us.