Can I use Inon O-ring grease on Sea&Sea sync cord?

[underwaterphotographer 0]

The reason why I ask is that I don’t have the Sea&Sea specific O-ring grease. The Inon O-rings are yellow whereas the Sea&Sea are blue.

[MortenHansen 25]

Hi there,

 

There should be no problem using grease of different brands on different o-rings. The purpose of the grease is simply to make sure the silicone o-ring doesn't become hard and dried out.

 

-Morten

[marcw 8]

i thought the silicon was so the o-ring does not bind when closing the case.

[MortenHansen 25]

I mean, I am by no means an expert, can be that there is another purpose, but I don't understand exactly what you mean by "bind"?

 

-Morten

[underwaterphotographer 0]

I’ve understood that using the wrong type of grease might deform the O-ring.

[marcw 8]

By "bind" i meant when you close the case, the o-ring should not pinched between 2 parts of the case, deforming the o-ring so the water can enter.

[MortenHansen 25]

I know this is not the same, but I have serviced quite a few (+100) regulators, and used many different types of silicone grease on the same Scubapro o-rings, however I never had problems with leaking 1'st stages or deformed o-rings and here we are talking about a pressure equal of 2000m depth.

For sure it can be different with a camera o-ring, maybe one of the super-geeks out there have something to say about it?

 

-Morten

[marcw 8]

bind

I know this is not the same, but I have serviced quite a few (+100) regulators, and used many different types of silicone grease on the same Scubapro o-rings, however I never had problems with leaking 1'st stages or deformed o-rings and here we are talking about a pressure equal of 2000m depth.

For sure it can be different with a camera o-ring, maybe one of the super-geeks out there have something to say about it?

 

-Morten

 

I use different silicone and i do not see the difference. My point was what silicone was for, not if it makes a difference(excuse me for not making that clear). I use Sea&Sea, INON, and Triton with all my gear.

 

The difference between the camera and a reg is that the reg is put together once and not again until the next service(hopefully). A camera case is opened and closed on every dive or 2 to change the batteries. On my inon strobes, I have had it when i did not use enough silicon(should always be used sparingly) and the friction caused the o-ring to get caught between cap and the strobe and not have a good seal. You are able to see this on the inon strobe very well before you jump in.

[MortenHansen 25]

Good point- I have Inon strobes myself and as you I do use a little extra silicone grease on them to make sure the o-rings don't 'bind'

 

I guess it depends on which o-rings we are talking, I think for the main housing o-ring there will not be a risk of 'binding' since its a squeeze-fit between o-ring and a straight surface, at least on my Aquatica.

 

-Morten

[marcw 8]

Good point- I have Inon strobes myself and as you I do use a little extra silicone grease on them to make sure the o-rings don't 'bind'

 

I guess it depends on which o-rings we are talking, I think for the main housing o-ring there will not be a risk of 'binding' since its a squeeze-fit between o-ring and a straight surface, at least on my Aquatica.

 

-Morten

 

So i guess you have seen the same o-ring U shaped snag as me. :-)

[Aquapaul 26]

My owners manual for my Sea & Sea strobes says to only use Sea & Sea grease with the blue cap for blue o-rings. I have this caution/ warning in the box with my strobe.

[bvanant 195]

This is a common question with NO simple answer. The little yellow S&S tubes contain fluorosilicone not simple silicone grease and using the wrong grease can cause o-rings to swell and change shape and maybe ultimately leak. There are greases (Tribolube and Christolube) that are safe for all types of o-rings (silicone, buna/nitrile/viton) so you might try them. Otherwise it costs maybe $10 for the right grease that you will lose before you empty the tube. That being said, since the Inon grease is for the Inon silicone o-rings, it should be fine for the S&S rings.

 

Bill

Edited July 5, 2012 by bvanant

[eyu 27]

I have been using Tribolube 71 for all my o-rings for the last 4+ years without problems. I use it on my black Subal, red Olympus, yellow Inon and blue Sea & Sea o-rings, I got tired of using a specific silicone grease for each different type of o-ring.

The colored o-rings will swell if you use the wrong grease.

 

A side note, Christo-Lube MCG 111 and Tribolube 71 are not water soluble and are inert.

 

Elmer

Edited July 5, 2012 by eyu

[MortenHansen 25]

Thanks bvanant for the clariification, I'm really surprised to hear that it actually makes a difference! I always thought that it was simply the producers trying to sell their own stuff

 

I always use the standard trident grease, on inon strobes and aquatica housing, would this cause any issues?

And can anyone tell me what the aquatica o-rings are actually made of?

 

-Morten

[bvanant 195]

I don't have an aquatica o-ring to check, but I suspect they are buna-n/nitrile but I am sure that Jean could tell us. I too use Tribolube 71 or 66 depending on what kind of o-ring. I can tell you for sure that the "wrong" grease can lead to bad outcomes, we make implantable medical devices; some with o-rings and the wrong lubricant can really cause them to not work very well. I think I would avoid the Trident grease on my gear, a tube of Tribolube costs maybe $25 or so and for a multi-thousand dollar system it is a prudent investment IMHO.

 

Bill

[MortenHansen 25]

Thanks again Bill, I still have a two of the little grease canisters from Aquatica, I will use them until I find out what the o-rings are made off/what type of grease can be used, maybe Jean can shed some light on the subject?

 

For sure I have no problem spending the little extra money for some tribolube- will have to get some guests to bring it out though, not that many options of silicone grease in Bali!

 

-Morten

Edited July 6, 2012 by MortenHansen

[MortenHansen 25]

Just cleaned all my o-rings and gave them a fresh layer of "aquatica grease", packed them in zip lock bags and now I think I'll be able to sleep well tonight!

[acuevas 4]

Another vote for Tribolub 71, I've been using it for more than 4 years including my inon orings without problems.

Some might say that it's more expensive but one tube will last forever.

[jcclink 8]

Use buna-n o-rings (the black ones) which is what most housing are assembled with, & a good quality silicone grease. (My S&S strobes have buna o-rings.) Don't have to worry about what o-ring needs what type of grease. A tube of silicone grease is cheap & will last forever. Too many colors & little tubes of vendor supplied grease to worry about. Keep it simple.

Edited July 6, 2012 by jcclink

[bvanant 195]

Thanks again Bill, I still have a two of the little grease canisters from Aquatica, I will use them until I find out what the o-rings are made off/what type of grease can be used, maybe Jean can shed some light on the subject?

 

For sure I have no problem spending the little extra money for some tribolube- will have to get some guests to bring it out though, not that many options of silicone grease in Bali!

 

-Morten

Let me know your address, we are coming to Bali in a few weeks, I will bring you some tribolube to play with.

Bill

[MortenHansen 25]

That would be awesome!

 

I'm living/working in the Siddhartha Dive Resort & Spa, its in Kubu, a small village 5min north of Tulamben (where the famous wreck is).

 

Where are you planning to stay in Bali? We also have an office down in Denpasar (close to the airport), if you're not coming up in the direction of Tulamben I can maybe send one of our staff to pick it up