Putting some extra o-rings in your light.

[Till]

So yesterday I was at Auto Zone and saw a package of assorted size rubber o-rings that looked like they would fit on flashlights.

If I was to add these to the threads of my lights (mostly Surefires), would this increase the water resistance any?

 

[Kestrel]

I found some O-rings for the second, 'open' groove on my G2's, but they were very hard to find, I thought that they were a darn oddball size & thickness. Good luck, it could be easier just to contact SF for a few extras. My 1.5 cents.

 

[Till]

If I wanted some extras from SF, would I be charged for them?

 

[Kestrel]

:shrug:
Can't hurt to ask.
There are a number of threads about waterproofing & SureFires, you might want to search for them. I'm not really an expert, just had some recent experience with this after I noticed my G2's with that second groove, that's all. If SureFire wants more than ~$1 for them, PM me (let me know what they say, I'm curious too) and I can mail you a couple for free, if you'd like.

 

[Till]

Thanks - I'm going to see how these o-rings work because they're only $2 for about 15-20 of assorted sizes.

If they don't work, I'll call up SF.

 

[kramer5150]

Can someone confirm these will work on a Surefire 6P?
http://www.lighthound.com/O-Ring--SureFire-C-Bezel_p_6-1360.html

http://www.lighthound.com/O-Ring--SureFire-C-M-Tailcap_p_6-1359.html

OP... you can search lighthound for products $0-$20. O-rings are so cheap they show up on the first couple pages.

 

[DM51]

If a light has a spare groove for an O-ring (examples: Surefire 'M' series, Polarion tailcap) then you can add an extra one if it is the right diameter and gauge/thickness. If the switch is a twisty, this may make operation stiffer.

Don't just add any old O-ring or try to seat it in the thread grooves, as you will just jam the threads and/or even actually increase the chance of the light leaking.

 

[isneyk]

I don't like the idea of two O-rings if it doesn't have space for it. Save your 2bucks (trip and gas).
I'm sure u have some plumbing teflon in your garage or toolbox.. that's what i use. threads just feel more solid.
Put it in a manner that it will stretch when you close the light otherwise it will crumple & shred.

btw, is it for a twisty?

 

[Till]

OK, I bought those $2 o-rings today.

They were for a 6PD, 6PL, G2Z, and a SL Scorpion.

In the tail for the 6PD, 6PL, and G2Z there is room for an extra o-ring. And in the bezel of the Scorpion there's room for one.

What are the correct guages, diameter, and thickness for o-rings that will work for these lights?

I don't have the package for the o-rings that I bought yesterday on hand, but I will look later.

 

[jzmtl]

I added an o-ring to the extra groove on my 6P and it made the tailcap pain in the butt to turn, so I removed it after only a minute.

 

[l2icel3all]

That's funny I was thinking about purchasing extra o-rings to seal off my SureFires. While cleaning my L5 I noticed that unlike my other P and C series SureFires the L5 utilized the extra space near the tailcap threading and there was an extra o-ring there. I took both of them off to clean the lint off and lube and noticed that the o-ring in the extra slot is thicker or wider than the 2nd o-ring that we're used to in the SureFire P,C, and M series Lights. It is slightly smaller in circumference as well. If someone could lead me to a website where they sell extra o-rings that would be great. I know o-rings are o-rings but if there is a difference in quality I'd prefer the nicer ones. I'm looking mainly to put extra rings on my 6p's kroma, E-series lights (I think there is an extra slot I can't remember.) and other P/M/C series lights. Thank you in advance.

 

[Rat6P]

Can someone confirm these will work on a Surefire 6P?
http://www.lighthound.com/O-Ring--SureFire-C-Bezel_p_6-1360.html

http://www.lighthound.com/O-Ring--SureFire-C-M-Tailcap_p_6-1359.html

OP... you can search lighthound for products $0-$20. O-rings are so cheap they show up on the first couple pages.

I have a 6P and I have purchased both of those O rings.
The C/M tail O rings will fit on a surefire 6P. and will fit on any of the C,P,M series I expect. The Tailcap will be harder to twist....a little lube can fix that...it doesnt bother me anyway. My main reason for using them was to make the 1 cell extender I use with 6P more <insert whatever word makes you happy here>!

The C/M bezel O ring will not work on an older style 6P.......how old I dont know. My 6P is only about 6-7 yrs old and it needs smaller O rings than these. Impossible to get bezel back on.
Apparently surefire have changed this recently and now the P, C ,M series share the same Bezel O ring size. So the C/M rings should fit on a newer 6P

Edit: look at the fine print on lighthound and it says

"Note that the older 6P flashlights use a thinner o-ring in the bezel area and we do not carry those."

I did see this but didnt not think my 6P would be considered an old style

 

[Patriot]

If I was to add these to the threads of my lights (mostly Surefires), would this increase the water resistance any?

DM51
If a light has a spare groove for an O-ring (examples: Surefire 'M' series, Polarion tailcap) then you can add an extra one if it is the right diameter and gauge/thickness. If the switch is a twisty, this may make operation stiffer.

Don't just add any old O-ring or try to seat it in the thread grooves, as you will just jam the threads and/or even actually increase the chance of the light leaking.

When I read the original post I thought you were going to add it to the threads and not an extra o-ring groove. Anyhow, yes.... exactly what DM51 said.

I tried to find the G2 under water thread for you but nothing came up under that title. There are several threads discussing Surefires and water resistance though.

 

[Till]

Is one o-ring in the tailcap and bezel sufficient enough to keep heavy rain out of the light?

I was looking at my G2Z and wondered especially because of the twisty tailcap.

By the way, when you buy $2 o-rings you get $2 o-rings. The ones that I put into the extra grooves in my 6P and G2Z all broke. Just happened to notice it when doing battery changes.