Light & Motion products are manufactured to endure saltwater and time and deliver a lifetime of trouble free performance. To expect this longevity, products do need a little routine TLC.

Light & Motion recommends an annual service from us or an authorized re-seller, for all housings. In addition, there are a few preventative checks and services owners are expected to perform.

Pre-dive / Pre-trip checks

O-rings - Light & Motion housings feature double o-ring seals at two locations on every housing. These locations are the rear plate / monitor back and on the optic which mates to the port on the housing. There is a single O-ring seal at the battery pod cap.

A pre-dive inspection requires all o-rings to be checked. Follow the instructions in the "O-ring Maintenance" guide.

If optic cleaning is needed, any photographic lens solution is fine. DO NOT use any cleaner that is ammonia based. Ammonia will damage the finishing process of the lens.

When to Inspect during a dive / trip

As a cardinal rule, if a seal is not broken it does not require an inspection.

Inspect the rear plate / monitor back seal after every removal, i.e. change tapes, remove camera.

If the same lens is used the entire dive / trip, it would not require an inspection until prior to housing storage.

If lens are being changed, inspect according the the "O-ring Maintenance" guide.

Battery pod o-rings need to be inspected every time batteries are removed for charging. Follow the "O-ring Maintenance" guide.

Post Dive Maintenance

When you have completed the day's diving you want to give the housing a through fresh water rinse to remove all salt.

Housing may be left in a rinse bucket while you continue to gear down. However, be cautious, other gear may be dropped in rinse bucket damaging the housing.

With the housing submerged in the rinse bucket or under running fresh water, work all switches, levers, and buttons to free salt water from crevices.

Towel dry the housing exterior. If you are going to remove the camera, thoroughly dry the housing before opening. Open the housing in a dry/controlled environment to prevent water from other dive gear or another diver from entering the housing.

Maintenance prior to storage

After your trip or dive session has ended, there are a few extra maintenance steps prior to storing your housing.

Follow the steps in "O-ring Maintenance" to inspect and maintain o-rings. Inspect o-rings in all locations. If o-rings need replacement, or if Smart Grip batteries are beginning to weaken, contact Light & Motion for the respective replacement kit.

Allow housing to remain outside of Travel Case for 24 hours or until you are confident both the Travel Case and the housing are completely dry. The Travel Case may re-expose the housing to salt and corrosion if not completely dry.

O-ring Maintenance Guide

O-rings are the critical component that keeps water out of the housing and the camcorder dry. Make a routing of O-ring inspection, maintenance and replacement.

• Check the rear plate o-rings and the mating surface on the inside of the housing for grit, hair, lint, sand, or anything that could potentially breach the O-ring seal.
• After frequent diving or if o-rings or groves appear dirty, remove o-rings and clean the groves. To remove o-rings, use finger pressure or the rounded edge of a plastic card to lift the O-ring out of the grove. CAUTION: Never use a metal object to remove an O-ring It may cause damage to the O-ring or the sealing surface.
• To check o-rings for damage, place the O-ring between the middle and index finger and thumb. Then pull the O-ring through your fingers, feeling for any debris or wear.
• If o-rings are dirty, it is best to replace them. Washing dirty o-rings with soap and water is not recommended. Soap breaks down the lubricants and will compromise the integrity of the seal.
• Properly greased o-rings will help maintain sealing integrity and minimize O-ring degradation. Use enough grease to lubricate the O-ring thoroughly, but not so much that it will attract additional debris.
• Clean the groove with a lint free swab or the folded edge of a paper towel.