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housings without installing of the camera for their first dive after change of new ports or alternation of any new
configuration. The test can be carried out by lowering the housing with ballast to the working depth or dive
down to the safe diving range.
The O-ring seal is the main barrier between the water outside and the air space within the
camera. It is an effective barrier only if the seal is properly maintained. The O-ring seal should be
inspected before every dive. The following information is providedyou¡re your guidance in using
and maintaining the O-ring seal.
4.5
Maintaining the O-ring Seal:
If the main body to lid O-ring is not installed, install the O-ring before diving. This is the only user
serviceable O-ring. Its care and maintenance is critical to the watertight integrity of the housing. The O-ring
should be replaced at the service interval (see section on service). If the O-ring is contaminated, or not already
installed, inspect grease and install the O-ring according to the following guidelines.
4.6
Inspection, cleaning and re-instillation of the O-ring
Tools:
A soft cotton bud or sponge applicator, make sure these are free of all chemicals or contamination
such as loose fibers, and the tube of silicone grease supplied with the housing. Note other types of silicone
grease specifically for use with underwater camera equipment can usually also be used. It is advised to carry
out the following procedure on a firm clean level surface, (e.g. at a table), to prevent skidding especially useful
to have when diving from a boat.
When to maintain the O-ring seal:
Remove the O-ring periodically for inspection. It is not necessary to remove, clean and
re-install the O-ring after every dive provided the O-ring did not become contaminated. As a rule of thumb set
up the camera and housing before a day¡s diving. If the housing is required to be opened between dives for
changing memory card or re-charging batteries, make sure the outside of the housing is thoroughly toweled
dry before opening up. After removing the lid and servicing the camera, replace the lid straight away, rather
than leaving it lying around. Before replacing the lid, make sure that no contamination such as dust, hair, salt,
sand etc. has fallen onto the O-ring or O-ring recess, as a precaution we recommend to inspect the O-ring
every time the lid is opened and to carry out the maintenance if necessary.
Procedure:
Place the lid on a firm non-slip level surface.
The O-ring can be extracted using an O-ring extractor tool (make sure
the tool as no sharp edges). Alternatively use the flats of the thumbs to
gently stretch the O-ring on two faces (Fig. 4) thus making a small loop
protruding a few mm. The loop can then be grasped between finger and
thumb, to pull the O-ring over the lip.
Clean the O-ring recess (the square groove where the O-ring sits) with
a cotton bud.
Inspect the O-ring all the way round its surface for damage such as cuts tears or contamination. This should
be done visually and also by feeling the surface texture between finger and thumb.
IF THE O-RING IS DAMAGED OR SUSPECTED OF BEING DAMAGED, DISCARD IT
A spare O -ring is supplied with your housing, or a replacement O-ring can be obtained from 10 BAR. If the
O-ring is contaminated or suspected of being contaminated, clean it with a cotton cloth that is free of all
chemicals or contamination. After cleaning inspect the O-ring again.
Once the O-ring has been inspected and verified fit for use, apply a
O-ring. The silicone grease must be evenly distributed round the O-ring
Replace the O-ring into the groove; run a finger round the O-ring, to make sure it is snugly seated in the
SMALL
amount of Silicone grease to the
IMMEDIATELY.
4
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