If o rings are not maintained, leaks can occur, and water and other fluids can enter the appliance or application, and even product in the mix!
If this happens, damage can occur to internal parts and mechanisms, causing deployment failings, potential false readings, and even corrosion.
Maintenance of o rings is often the most overlooked and miss-serviced part of an appliance.
Yet due to the function they perform, they really shouldn’t be!
Cleaning o rings
To help prevent these problems from occurring o rings need to be checked and serviced regularly.
This is often carried out when replacing or removing parts, where o rings providing the seal should be checked as part of this operation.
Checking the o rings in question for contamination and cleaning these if any grit, hair, or debris is found.
If there is any evidence of cracks or corrosion on the o ring, then these should be replaced for new as soon as possible, as it will only lead to further problems later down the line.
To remove an o ring
Drive a screwdriver or pick straight into the o ring, pulling it from its recess.
Once it’s removed, clean both the o ring and the area around the o ring, including the flanges and grooves where the o rings are seated, discarding any excess grease/lubricant, and dirt and debris.
Note: Only water and a mild detergent should be used on the o ring. And the o ring should be dried entirely before reinserting – also; it’s important not to stretch the o ring as you’re drying it.
Purchase your new o ring from specialist o ring suppliers in the UK, and to reinstall the new o ring use a small amount of grease on the ring to manoeuvre it slowly and carefully back into place, making sure that it doesn’t twist and roll.
Do not, and we repeat, do not use too much grease. This can collect further dirt, compromise the seal, and diminish the waterproofing capabilities, potentially causing further leaks.
You should also use the right silicone grease for the o ring that is being used – Specialist Sealing Products can help with any questions you may have in this area.
If when you insert the o ring, it seems slightly misshapen, leave it for a minute or two and then try to work it back into position.
Before sealing the entire application and putting all of the parts back together again, run your fingers over the area to make sure that the o ring is seated correctly, and nothing is in the way of the two surfaces or indeed anything interfering with the seals.
Storing o rings
O rings should be stored away from direct sunlight and ideally in an airtight bag.
O rings do go brittle over time, hence using a specialist o ring supplier in Leeds is often key. An o rings will be new, in stock, and in good condition!
An example o ring maintenance
Dive Lights
Dive lights are vital pieces of equipment, and o rings form an intricate part of dive lights, influencing their overall performance.
When it comes to caring for these o rings, you firstly need to find out what type of o ring you’re dealing with.
For example, some can be detached and removed; others aren’t so straight forward.
However, all o rings should be cleaned using warm water and dried using a clean, lint-free towel.
Silicone grease is the best lubricant for these o rings; however, use in moderation!
It’s important not to let dry salt settle on o rings as it can cause further complications and problems, which for dive lights is not something you want to happen.
Taking time and care to service and clean your o rings helps to lengthen their lifespan, which can only be good news for all appliances, not just dive lights!
Depending on the application, o rings should be serviced once a year, ideally, or sooner if you notice problems arising.
Servicing and replacing an o ring doesn’t take a long time, and keeping everything in good working order is vital.
For all your o ring needs, check out Specialist Sealing Products.
Reference video: Sonardyne
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