Twisties and waterproofing

[TOJ]

Does the waterproof rating of twisty lights pertain to both tightened and loosened modes? Is there a limit to how untwisted you can go before it is no longer waterproof? Or is waterproofing only regarding how deep a light can go while on?

 

[Gunner12]

As long as the O-ring is covered (and is well lubricated), the twistie should be ok.

 

[Yamabushi]

One caveat ... if the threads are sloppy, a loosened head may wobble if there is any side pressure from your grip and therefore leak.

 

[jorn]

Short threads does wobble more than something with a long threaded area. If i remove the o-ring on my malkoff md-2 (witch feels great), then it will wobble more than my wobbly quark mini-x. Threads dont make anything waterproof. They are supposed to be sloppy, or else they would lock up and wouldent work (if a single grain of sand or hair or something entered the treads, or if the head is hotter (expanded) than the body).. So you can tighten the head, or loosen it. As long as the o-ring is in it's place, it should be ok.
My minix is really wobbly, but cant push the head sideways to make it leak. Even used it when freediving (10meters+-) with no issues. If you can move the tip of the head sideways lets say one mm, then it wont move 1 mm at the base where the o-ring is. I can wave my arm without moving my shoulder that mutch. Same thing.

My 300 meter dive rated lights are all twistys. If you can see the o-ring, then you prob untwisted it too far to be considered waterproof :)

 

[Yamabushi]

Threads dont make anything waterproof. They are supposed to be sloppy, or else they would lock up and wouldent work (if a single grain of sand or hair or something entered the treads, or if the head is hotter (expanded) than the body).. So you can tighten the head, or loosen it. As long as the o-ring is in it's place, it should be ok.

I agree this shouldn't be a problem if thread machining tolerances are compatible with O-ring design/groove machining tolerances but I've seen cheap stuff with sloppy tolerances and skinny O-rings where you can push it to the point the O-ring can't seal one side.