Condensate getting in Housing

[cudachaser]

Here's a tip I have discovered with my Oly 8080 Housing.

The housing never should any signs of leakage on deeper dives, but when I dove shallow, like on beach dives I had condensate forming from no apparent leak path. Ruled air moisture since the water was warm.

Found 2 possible scenarios going on:

1) Lot's of surge action...this could flex the housing
2) Fine sand suspended in the water

Well, really examining the housing post dive, I did find small sand particles ahead of the double O-Ring seals at nearly all of the buttons. I blew that out with a Computer Key Board Air Duster. Also noted the same fine sand particles at the major O-Ring seals and dome port. Same treatment.

So far after this treatment, no condensate with about 6 dives, some approching 100ft.
I also stopped doing beach dives with the system.

Hope this helps someone out there!

 

[rjsimp]

It is normal to see small pieces of sand on the o-ring after a dive where there is a lot of sand in the water. This is one of the reasons opening the camera in between dives to change a card or battery can really cause problems if you don't inspect and clean the o-rings. However, if there was no leak during the dive, and the o-rings were clean when it was assembled, I have never heard of a leak/condensation caused by sand during a dive (but it is possible I guess). :huh:

Anyhow, it is more likely that you has warm moist air in the camera housing when you assembled it, and then the cooler water caused it to condense. I try to assemble mine in a AC controlled room since the moisture is really low there. You could also use a silica gel pack to help with the moisture also.