TG-6 with PT-059

[undrwtr1]

I have decided to upgrade the GoPro setup to a TG-6 with PT-059 and I was wondering whether anyone has some input on whether this combination (or past versions) have any issues with fogging during a dive. In the past, I have usually sealed the housing in an air conditioned room and placed a silica pack without any real issues. If you folks use silica packs, which do you use? Do the moisture muncher capsules fit?

Any info would be appreciated.

Gerry

 

[FezUSA]

I have silica packs and some absorbent strips that I've used in my GoPro knock-off + housing, have never needed them with my TG-4 + PT-056.

The last trip I was on (Bali, Sept) I managed to flood my housing on a dive to 70'. It was a slow leak that I didn't notice until about the 25 minute mark when I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my pictures and realised that the front lens port was 25% full of water! Shut the camera down and continued the dive knowing that the camera itself is waterproof. After the dive was complete and I was back in the camera room I removed the main O-ring on the housing to find half a dozen black grains of silt. The first dive involved a swim out to the boat in very choppy water that had churned up the black silt. I hadn't cleaned out the o-ring between dives. Anyway, got it all cleaned and lubed and took it on the 3rd dive. 10 minutes in and it fogged up, but remained water tight. Post dive got it all cleaned up again and left overnight for the moisture to completely evaporate. Was fine rest of the week.

 

[undrwtr1]

Thanks Fez - certainly comforting that camera didn’t get trashed with the leak - that’s one of the reasons I went with the TG-6! I may bring a few silica packets on my next trip, but the real test will be when I take a dive locally in 40 degree water! Heat from internal flash and camera fogging things up are the concern in colder water.

Gerry

 

[Chris Ross]

heat from the internal flash does not cause fogging! This is caused by the housing cooling below the dew point of the air inside it. so if the humidity is high and you jump in cold water fogging is a possibility. You can actually calculate the likelihood using a psychometric chart: How to Read a Psychrometric Chart. For example on an 80 F day at 50% humidity, the dew point is 63 F, so if you close the housing on a day like that and jump in 60F water fogging is likely , but not in 70F water.

If you use desiccant packs you need to keep them in a sealed container so they don't absorb moisture from the air and saturate. Once saturated they absorb no more water.

 

[jlyle]

I spent three weeks in August shooting my TG6/PT-059 in Cozumel. Camera was always placed in the housing in A/C room before taking it outside into the humid air. No desiccant packs were used. No fogging issues.

 

[undrwtr1]

Thanks for the responses. In Bonaire, where I may be on the road doing several dives without returning to my air-conditioned condo, how do I do a battery swap in such a way as to keep humidity out - just get truck ice cold with AC and then do the swap? Curious.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

just get truck ice cold with AC and then do the swap? Curious

This worked for me.

 

[Bora_Horza]

Thanks for the responses. In Bonaire, where I may be on the road doing several dives without returning to my air-conditioned condo, how do I do a battery swap in such a way as to keep humidity out - just get truck ice cold with AC and then do the swap? Curious.

Just an observation (not something I've actually tried) but compressed air from a tank should have practically 0% humidity - maybe its possible to 'purge' humid air from an open housing using a dry / unused / spare octopus, then closing the housing quickly?

 

[Tippytoes12]

You apparently get 360 shots from one full battery charge with the TGs. So you may well get away with not changing the battery between dives.

 

[tursiops]

Do the moisture muncher capsules fit?

No

The last trip I was on (Bali, Sept) I managed to flood my housing on a dive to 70'. It was a slow leak that I didn't notice until about the 25 minute mark when I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my pictures and realised that the front lens port was 25% full of water! Shut the camera down and continued the dive knowing that the camera itself is waterproof. After the dive was complete and I was back in the camera room I removed the main O-ring on the housing to find half a dozen black grains of silt. The first dive involved a swim out to the boat in very choppy water that had churned up the black silt. I hadn't cleaned out the o-ring between dives. Anyway, got it all cleaned and lubed and took it on the 3rd dive. 10 minutes in and it fogged up, but remained water tight. Post dive got it all cleaned up again and left overnight for the moisture to completely evaporate. Was fine rest of the week.

I think the soft rubber (very fine-cell sponge) bumpers in the case absorb some water, and need a chance to dry out. Hair dryer, fan, helps.