4
USE AND MAINTAINANCE OF O-RINGS
SUBAL housings are designed to use specially formulated O-rings. Replacement by other than
genuine SUBAL O-rings may result in leakage. Therefore:
!! USE ORIGINAL SUBAL O-RINGS ONLY !!
Most care is requested with the body O-ring and the port O-ring. Ensure that the O-rings have no
mechanical damage like cuts or flat spots. If so, replace them immediately.
Hint: Streching the O-ring a little and feeling it as you slide it between your fingers is a good way of
detecting abnormalities.
When closing the housing or changing the port, care should be taken that the sealing surfaces on the
housing, the O-ring grooves of the housing and the port and the O-ring itself are absolutely clean.
Remove all dirt particles carefully to prevent water entry.
The sealing surface and the O-ring should be thinly greased with Silicone grease. This reduces friction
and abrasion and allows the O-ring to settle into place easily.
Do not use too much grease. Undetected dirt particles could accumulate and would lead to water
entry. Take a little bit of grease on two fingers and pull the O-ring between these fingers until it is
greased all around. Wipe off excess. The O-ring should just have a sheen.
Never use hard or sharp metal tools for putting in or removing the O-rings. You could
permanently damage the sealing surface or the O-ring itself.
When inserting the O-ring take care that it is not twisted or is lying undulating in the groove.
The useful life of O-rings is limited in duration depending on care, frequency of use and storage
conditions. It is absolutely essential to change them regularly.
Please note that the especially soft quality of the original SUBAL O-ring material looses elasticity
prematurely if it is permanently compressed. So, if you plan not to use your housing for a long time,
remove the O-ring and store it in a cool place without deformation.
