Gates Underwater Products, Inc
5111 Santa Fe Street, Suite H • San Diego, CA • 92109 • 858.272.2501 • 800.875.1052 • 858.272-1208
[email protected] • www.GatesHousings.com
9
07/29/04
Lubrication
Now you’re ready to lubricate the
black
o-rings. For this you’ll need pure silicone
lubricant or silicone grease (available at dive shops).
ü
Put a generous amount of silicone between your thumb and forefinger, then run the
entire loop of the black o-ring between your fingers several times. You need to coat
the entire surface of the o-ring with a film of lubricant.
The lubricant film should be
thin, uniform and completely cover the o-ring
,
and have a ‘wet’ feel
.
ü
Place or stretch the o-ring back into its recessed groove
and be sure it’s well
seated. Give the o-ring one last look for hair or other dirt that may have fallen on
your work.
~
Caution
:
The
large orange o-ring
on your Gates housing requires no lubricant. It
is a special silicone o-ring and can be damaged by petroleum based lubricants.
Do not
lubricate!
The orange o-ring on the main housing seal requires a silghlty different technique to
install.
ü
Start on a side or corner, and place the o-ring over the recessed groove. Do not
stretch the o-ring during this process.
ü
Press the o-ring down into the groove in several spots around the entire perimeter of
the groove. Be sure the o-ring is evenly distributed around the perimeter.
ü
Finally, press the remaining parts of the o-ring into the groove. Run your finger over
the entire o-ring while pressing down to ensure the entire o-ring is fully seated.
~
Caution
:
After cleaning or replacement of the main seal o-ring perform a pressure
test by diving with the housing without a camera. This simple test will ensure the o-ring
was installed properly and your Gates housing is leak-free.
A Few Final Tips
ü
If you don’t need to service an o-ring,
don’t
. A sealed o-ring will remain so unless
disturbed, such as cleaning. A good example is a Port: there is no need to service a
Port o-ring between dives if it is not removed or changed.
ü
Some o-rings are inaccessible, such as those inside the shaft of a mechanical
control (called a gland). These o-rings require little maintenance. You need only
lightly lubricate the shaft of the control (inside and outside) with silicone lubricant
periodically, about every 20
th
use. After applying, move the control in and out
several times to distribute the lubricant.
ü
Every two years Gates recommends a complete overhaul of o-rings regardless of the
amount your equipment gets used.
