4.2 Maintaining the O-ring Seal

If the main body to lid O-rings are not installed, install the O-rings before diving. Their care and maintenance are critical to the watertight integrity of the housing. If the O-rings are contaminated, or not already installed; inspect, grease and install the O-rings according to the following guidelines.

4.3Inspection, cleaning and re-instillation of the O-rings

Tools

A soft cotton bud or sponge applicator, make sure these are free of all 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 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-rings are not become contaminated. As a rule of thumbs 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, check the o-rings and 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 only 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 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.

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Panasonic TZ7, ZS3 user manual Maintaining the O-ring Seal, When to maintain the O-ring seal, Procedure