Panasonic LX3 - Manual (Page 4)

4
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.
4.3 Inspection, 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
sand, 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
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. Clean the O-ring recess (the square groove where the O-ring sits) with a cotton bud.
Inspect the O-ring all the way round its surface for damage such as cuts，tears or contamination. This
should be done visually and also by feeling the surface
texture between finger and thumb.
IF THE O-RING IS DAMAGED OR SUSPECTED
OF BEING DAMAGED, DISCARD
IT
IMMEDIATELY.
A spare O-ring is supplied with your housing, or a
replacement O-ring can be ordered from 10BAR. If the
O-ring is contaminated or suspected of being
contaminated, clean it with an optical cleansing cloth that
is free of loose fabric or contamination. After cleaning
inspect the O-ring again.