vintageair
Registered
True to my handle, I've just acquired a fully functional 1st gen SL960. (SL96001) This version has only one trigger sensor and a single cover compression screw (no clamps).
Before I drown it, I decided to examine the back cover seals. They appear to be made of a soft translucent material, possibly silicone. The perimeter seal is circular and rectangular in cross section. It and the perimeter seal surface look and feel fine. On the other hand, the single center cover screw shaft seal needs attention. The plastic bore is slightly scored from the accumulated corrosion that was on the chrome plated shaft. The shaft and bore are almost exactly 8mm in diameter (tight fit even after cleaning). The seal slot is exactly 5mm in diameter and 2.5mm wide. I am assuming that a replacement should be an o-ring (not a custom shape) under slight compression when installed. The metric o-ring size I am looking at is: OD 8.32mm; ID 4.76; CS 1.78. (Viton and Nitrile 70 are avail in this size at one vendor I looked at) Because of the bore scoring, I think I need a very compliant material like Silicone with a low durometer like 50. (I want feedback on this).
The switch shaft (no magnet) appears to be tight and corrosion free (likely stainless), so I am reluctant to disturb it.
->For the shaft seal, what material should I choose? (vendor suggestions welcome)
->Given the bore and slot sizes I've got, What size o-ring?
->Should I try to smooth out the bore? If so how?
I've attached pictures of the flash, screw shaft, shaft seal, seal bore and perimeter seal.
I have nothing but good things to say about the SeaLife staff that I have talked to about this, but since this version is SO old (almost 2 decades), there is little information available to them. And almost no modern SL9xx strobe parts are applicable to this unit.
Thanks in advance, -Vintageair
Before I drown it, I decided to examine the back cover seals. They appear to be made of a soft translucent material, possibly silicone. The perimeter seal is circular and rectangular in cross section. It and the perimeter seal surface look and feel fine. On the other hand, the single center cover screw shaft seal needs attention. The plastic bore is slightly scored from the accumulated corrosion that was on the chrome plated shaft. The shaft and bore are almost exactly 8mm in diameter (tight fit even after cleaning). The seal slot is exactly 5mm in diameter and 2.5mm wide. I am assuming that a replacement should be an o-ring (not a custom shape) under slight compression when installed. The metric o-ring size I am looking at is: OD 8.32mm; ID 4.76; CS 1.78. (Viton and Nitrile 70 are avail in this size at one vendor I looked at) Because of the bore scoring, I think I need a very compliant material like Silicone with a low durometer like 50. (I want feedback on this).
The switch shaft (no magnet) appears to be tight and corrosion free (likely stainless), so I am reluctant to disturb it.
->For the shaft seal, what material should I choose? (vendor suggestions welcome)
->Given the bore and slot sizes I've got, What size o-ring?
->Should I try to smooth out the bore? If so how?
I've attached pictures of the flash, screw shaft, shaft seal, seal bore and perimeter seal.
I have nothing but good things to say about the SeaLife staff that I have talked to about this, but since this version is SO old (almost 2 decades), there is little information available to them. And almost no modern SL9xx strobe parts are applicable to this unit.
Thanks in advance, -Vintageair
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