HOW-TO GUIDE:
O-RING CLEANING & LUBRICATION

Homedigy

Preparation & Tools

Work in a clean, brightly lit environment — good lighting is essential for spotting tiny sand and dirt particles that can compromise the seal.

Required Tools

  • O-ring removal tool: A dull pen (optional; your finger works too).
  • Grease: Industrial-grade Silicone grease qualified by GeoDrops Team.  One is included in the box and also available at here.  Do not substitute other products.
  • Cleaning supplies: Soft kitchen towel, or cotton swabs (Q-tips).
  • Drying supplies: Hair dryer, or handheld air blower.
  • Spare O-ring: Keep one on hand.  When in doubt, replace.

Step-by-Step Cleaning

Active Time: 5-10 mins

Drying Time: 24 hrs (Indoors)

Warning: 

Failure to follow these instructions can potentially void your warranty and cause permanent damage to your device.

1. Pre-Wash (Outdoors)

Before bringing the device inside, wash it outdoors (e.g. in a bucket) to remove soil, sand, and dirt.

2. Remove the O-Ring

Open the battery cap. Use your finger or a dull pen to gently roll or slide the O-ring out of its groove. 

 

Be careful not to rub sand or dirt against the O-ring, as that can cause cuts and tears on the O-ring surface, which will require you to replace the O-ring (available here).

3. Clean the O-Ring Groove

Thoroughly wipe off the battery cap's O-ring groove using a wet kitchen towel or cotton swab. The groove must be completely free of sand and dirt. You can also blow off dry debris with an air blower.

If heavy soiling requires washing the battery cap:

First remove the screws on the battery spring electrical board. After washing, shake the battery cap as vigorously as you can to let tiny water particles out of the two tiny battery board screw holes, followed by blow-drying with warm air until no moisture is visible. Pay extra attention to the screw holes. Then allow it to dry at a warm and dry location for at least 24 hours.

4. Clean the O-Ring

Wash the O-ring with warm, soapy water, wipe it clean and dry with a clean kitchen towel. 

Don't worry if a few tiny fibers from the kitchen towel are sticking to the O-ring — we will wipe those off easily with silicone grease later.

5. Clean the battery compartment O-ring contact surface

It is common for dirt and debris to settle on the O-ring contact surface on the battery compartment side.  Use a clean, damp kitchen towel to wipe the surface dry.  Inspect the surface to ensure no visible dents or deep scratches.

6. Allow 24-Hour Indoor Drying

Let the opened device, the battery cap, and the O-ring dry in a warm and dry location indoors for a full 24 hours.

Warning:

This indoor drying step of the opened device is mandatory. It ensures the device is completely dry and warms to room temperature — preventing internal condensation ('fogging') when the device is returned outdoors, especially after winter.

Step-by-Step Lubrication

Active Time: 1 min (new O-ring) - 5 mins (reused O-ring)

Warning: 

Only lubricate the O-ring immediately before you are ready to close the battery compartment and bring the device outdoors to be installed in soil. Applying grease ahead of time and letting the O-ring sit around allows contaminants to accumulate and compromises moisture seal.

Warning: 

Once the silicone grease is applied, do not open the battery compartment for any reason — including a battery swap. If opened, you must repeat the entire cleaning and lubrication process from the beginning.

1. Inspect the O-Ring Groove

Visually inspect the groove to confirm it is free of tiny dirt or debris. A properly clean groove will appear shiny and reflective across the entire surface. If the groove has visible dents or deep scratches, the seal is compromised. Please contact us at tech-support@homedigy.com to arrange for replacements. 

2. Inspect the O-Ring

(skip if using a brand-new O-ring): Apply 1 pea-sized dab of grease to your fingertip and run the O-ring between your fingers to feel for tiny bumps or tears. Ensure you do this across all surfaces of the O-ring (inside, outside, upper, and lower side).

  • If you find any dust sticking to the O-ring, use the silicone grease to help it glide off. Wipe the dust off with your finger. Repeat as needed.
     
  • If you find any cut or tear, replace the O-ring. When in doubt, replace the O-ring to be on the safer side.

3. Stretch Test

(skip if using a brand-new O-ring): Gently stretch the O-ring by approximately 30% to check for tears. Replace if any visible scratches are observed. When in doubt, always replace the O-ring to be on the safer side.

Side Note (for those familiar with scuba camera O-ring maintenance): GeoDrops O-rings are engineered to be softer than scuba camera O-rings (which seal high-pressure water over a short period). GeoDrops O-rings seal low-pressure moisture over extended periods and are safe to stretch slightly. Scuba camera O-rings, on the other hand, cannot be stretched.

4. Apply Final Grease Coating

Apply 2 pea-sized amounts of silicone grease and coat all four surfaces of the O-ring. The goal is a thin, even, shiny layer that reflects light. Pay special attention to the inside surface — this is the most commonly missed area.
  • Slightly over-applying is preferable to under-applying.
  • But do NOT over-apply excessively. Keep grease away from: the battery spring (causes poor contact and malfunction) and screw holes (prevents screws from seating properly). Over-applying grease will cause it to run off into those areas.

5. Install Immediately

Once the final O-ring grease coat is applied, do not set the O-ring down. Install it directly into the battery cap O-ring groove, perform a quick visual check for any last minute debris, then close and secure the battery compartment immediately.

Maintenance Frequency

Please perform the full cleaning and lubrication process every time the battery compartment is opened.


To ensure optimal moisture sealant performance, the GeoDrops O-ring must be cleaned and lubricated once a year (ideally in the spring).

 

Because GeoDrops batteries are designed to last up to one year, annual O-ring maintenance is recommended when replacing batteries.