I work at a water plant, and we use silicone oil for o-rings and fittings. It's put out by Hach, and I was wondering if it would be a good idea to use this on external rubber seals on the Excal, like around the knob stem rubbers and the battery pod connection rubber disc? The oil does soften-up old o-rings and makes them pliable as new. I have read somewhere before that it's not always a good idea to use silicone on metal detector seals, but I guess that would be if they were internal? I used to have a White's Surfmaster, and I think they were the ones that didn't suggest doing it. Thanks.
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Silicone oil
- Thread starter Dirt Poor
- Start date
Art (NWOH)
New member
It is not a good idea to use the same kinds of things together. Silicone oil may rot silicone o-rings. If the seals are made of a different material, then silicone grease or oil may be good.
I used to work on aircraft that had silicone oil in some areas. Adel clamps that hold wire bundles in these areas could not have silicone rubber coverings. The DC 200 would penetrate, swell, and rot them until they turned into jelly and fell apart.
HH
I used to work on aircraft that had silicone oil in some areas. Adel clamps that hold wire bundles in these areas could not have silicone rubber coverings. The DC 200 would penetrate, swell, and rot them until they turned into jelly and fell apart.
HH
Art (NWOH)
New member
Don't get me wrong. Most often seals will be lubed with silicone grease, but the seals will be made of a different material.
I don't know what minelab uses for seals, but it is probably not silicone. Silicone is one of the least durable materials.
HH
I don't know what minelab uses for seals, but it is probably not silicone. Silicone is one of the least durable materials.
HH
NEBeachcomber
Member
I've used silicon grease on my pool filter O-rings and my Fisher CZ-20 $ 1280 gaskets with good results. Based on the above responses I can only surmise these O-rings and gaskets are made of rubber because I have never had an issue with using silicon grease?
Art (NWOH)
New member
Seals can be made of many different materials that most refer to as rubber.
Here are some examples from one manufacturer. You will find that the different materials are have different applications.
http://www.sealingspecialties.com/orings.htm
You can see that a material that would be suited to water under normal temperatures, mild alkaline (salt), and silicones for lube would be the best choice.
Manufacturers are not likely to use seals that will rot under forseeable conditions.
HH
Here are some examples from one manufacturer. You will find that the different materials are have different applications.
http://www.sealingspecialties.com/orings.htm
You can see that a material that would be suited to water under normal temperatures, mild alkaline (salt), and silicones for lube would be the best choice.
Manufacturers are not likely to use seals that will rot under forseeable conditions.
HH
Critterhunter
New member
I used spark plug boot grease (comes in a little pack for .99 cents at Auto stores) called Dialectric grease (know I probably spelled it wrong) to recondition the seals on my friend's Excaliber. This stuff won't break down the rubber or plastic used on spark plug wires and boots, and probably some are silicon as well so far as I know. Not for sure it's compatible with all those but I've always heard that. This grease also prevents oxide buildup on battery contacts/terminals while still allowing current to flow (so long as you don't put it on super thick, a light coat does the job). That's why I use it on battery terminals in devices where I don't often remove the batteries to recharge. Normal removal would get rid of any resistance caused by oxide build up. If you charge the batteries without removal then use this stuff.
Crispy Critter
New member
mtpockets said:
