VEMCO – ASCENT–AR / AR2 Manual
28 July
2018
32
5.2.2
Clean O-ring Surfaces
The O-ring surfaces must be clear of all debris and dirt. Any debris could cause water to enter the case and
destroy the release.
An O-ring surface is any surface the O-ring touches. The ASCENT-AR has three, the two grooves the O-
rings sit in and the smooth area inside the Outer Cylinder that sits between the threads and the end of the
cylinder.
It is vital that all O-ring surfaces are clean and damage free or water may work its way inside the case and
destroy the electronics within the ASCENT-AR.
Always wear protective gloves when handling O-ring
grease!
1.
Use a lint-free cloth to clean the old grease and any debris from the O-rings and the O-ring surfaces. A
lint-free swab is very helpful for cleaning inside the grooves.
2.
Inspect the
O-ring surfaces
for any scratches or debris – use a magnifying glass and a bright light.
Scratches in the O-ring groove would allow water to bypass the O-ring, potentially flooding the release
and destroying the internal electronics. If you find debris (dirt, dust, hair, etc.) inside a groove, then use
a lint-free swab to remove it. If you find a scratch
in any of the O-ring surfaces, then contact our
Support department.
3.
Inspect the
O-rings
for debris and for any damage.
If there is any question about the condition of an
O-ring, we recommend it be replaced rather than
risk damage to the release and therefore your data. O-rings can be purchased from VEMCO or locally.
The replacement O-rings must be PARKER #2-143
O-RING, 70 Bn NITRILE.
4.
Use your
gloved
fingers to evenly spread O-ring grease (we
suggest Molykote 55) over the entire surface of the O-ring
until the O-ring is slippery but doesn’t have clumps of grease
on it. Too much grease can cause an O-ring to “pop” out of
the groove while the case is being closed, giving
little protection from water entering the ASCENT-AR.
An O-ring surface is any surface the O-ring
touches. The
ASCENT-AR
has three, the two
grooves between the threads and the LED on
the end cap and the first flat section inside
the Outer Cylinder (2 cm).
O-Ring Surfaces
CAUTION:
O-rings can stretch with
continued handling. We advise that
undamaged O-rings not be used for
more than three deployments.
Molykote 55 O-ring grease
