Water Machine Maintainence Silicone?

Terry Soloman · May 18, 2011

How often should I be lubricating my O-ring? When my factory supplied tubes run out, what do I use, and where should I get it?

pat-tekker-cat · May 18, 2011

Terry Soloman said:
How often should I be lubricating my O-ring? When my factory supplied tubes run out, what do I use, and where should I get it?

You got a factory supply tube?! Lucky dude!

I got an excal, I get my silicone grease, Dow 111 is it, sometimes repackaged, at Brownie Marine Dive shop in Ft Laud. They use it on the underwater scooters, connections, etc..........Check your local dive shop and/or marine toy store, maybe go on-line and order.

My water cat "Fluffy", gets a GOOD bath, after every outing, dried down, visually inspected, etc.....
I check the prongs every time before I re-connect. It's an eye-balling thing, for me. If there seems to be enough, I don't over-goop. I find a toothpick helps me get it down to the base of the connectors better.
I could be doing something wrong and not know it? Maybe some other guys will answer and have more info. Good luck!

Daedalus · May 18, 2011

Terry you can get this at Radio Shack , that is the only place around here that I can. Most electronic parts supply stores carry this lube.

Treasure_Hunter · May 18, 2011

Home Depot, Lowes, Many Ace Hardwares in the plumbing departments and dive shops also carry silcone grease...

drewan29 · May 18, 2011

Hey Terry,
Go to 123scuba.com this is where I got mine from it is the same silicone gel that is used for diving bought it 2 years ago and still have alot left. It won't dry out the seals. I was told the same thing about going to lows homedepote and what not you have to be carefull on what you use because if its not what the detector manufacture uses or says to use it can void warranty along with dry out and crack your seal.
drewan

Sandman · May 18, 2011

Make sure it is Silicone Grease and not something like Clear RTV Silicone which is a silicone sealant. This junk is for waterproof cauking and gets hard.

http://www.amazon.com/McNett-Aquaseal-Silicone-Grease-4-Ounce/dp/B000W7H72A/?tag=treasurenet01-20

http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-37/030045/Innovative-Silicone-Grease.html

pat-tekker-cat · May 18, 2011

I was told by Minelab, Do not use the Permatex dielectric grease.
The silicone grease I got in a small "tub", should last 5+ years, with normal use, with two machines.

Can Slaw · May 19, 2011

In addition to the building supply stores that others have mentioned, pool supply stores carry it along with dive shops, but dive shops are twice the price. The squeeze tube is better than the sticking stuff that comes in a metal container.