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My Galaxy 3 watch is supposed to have a waterproof seal, but when I changed my battery there was no RUBBER seal, only what seems like silicon that was soft (unless the rubber breaks down). Can you tell me if there is a rubber seal for sale or how to get the silicon or whatever it is.
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That "rubber" is silicone. It seems to be incorrectly called "rubber" in the guide, but it is 100% silicone.
That seal you found inside your watch was the correct one. Hopefully you did not throw it away or damage it. Carefully reinstall it exactly as you found it when you took the watch apart.
If it was damaged, lost, or discarded, it should be replaced or the watch should NOT be considered waterproof. I've tried to find a reliable vendor that sells this part alone but cannot seem to find it anywhere. I would venture a guess that it is no longer produced as this device is 5 years old. You could try to manually seal it with something water resistant and electronic safe such a B7000 (https://amzn.to/43RfyvU), though honestly I wouldn't recommend it as application could get messy and, while not electrically conductive so it wouldn't short anything, it is insulating so it could potentially cause the device not to work if it gets between two connections (I have seen this happen multiple times).
If this was in my shop, my recommendation for the client would be to have a fully functional, not-water resistant device and just be careful with it around water, rather than risk making the device non-functional just to have a seal that's not as good as factory original.
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Thank you for such a quick response. I'm not sure the seal is even silicone; granted, it is 5 years old (or older), but it has the viscosity of petroleum jelly. I did not think silicone could break down like it did. There was no way to lift it as a whole. I have been contemplating purchasing a new watch that has new features. At least I now know how to replace the battery! I will look into the sealant you mentioned since my wife, daughter and granddaughter all have Galaxy watches.
@malcolm26435 Interesting. I've done a few of these watch repairs and never had the viscosity of petroleum jelly where the seal goes. That's... concerning. Perhaps some kind of exposure in where you work or at home to some compound that could break down the silicone? I don't know enough about the chemistry to know what could do that, maybe something common or maybe something very rare. I can't say. But that's not normal. I've never seen that before.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
For future reference, it should be solid and have the consistency of an O-ring, though thinner. Something was definitely wrong with yours to be like you describe.
lol. And, I was wearing a jeweler's 'visor' with a light and magnifying lenses. I could not find anything shaped anywhere near an O-ring. It was like goo, down to the metal edge. I could scrape some up with the tip of the spudger, but that was it. I worked with computers; no chemicals, no contact with salt water, etc. Anyway, I'm going to order that B7000 or similar product. Thanks for all of your help. Respectfully, Malcolm
@mackt Definitely not the shape of an o-ring. Kinda circular with a few wonky cutouts for the screws that hold it together. You can see it highlighted in step 4 of this guide: Samsung Galaxy Watch3 Battery Replacement
That thing should have the same "feel" as an o-ring, but much smaller, and mostly retain it's not-quite-circular shape, if removed.
But either way, sounds like yours is mysteriously not like that. Perhaps they just break down over time? I don't think it should be long enough even if that happened but I'm genuinely baffled, lol.
I bought some automotive liquid gasket from Harbor Freight (RTV SILICONE INSTANT GASKET by Pro Seal)(I got black becuz the watch is) and CAREFULLY applied it around the area where the o-ring should have been. I followed this instructions and about 32 hrs later emerged the watch in a bowl of water for about 5 minutes. Still works the next day. I'd send pics, but can't see how to from my phone. I can expound on the process for anyone who wants to know the steps I used. Kudos to you for your help; you have me the idea for the above sealant.
Respectfully
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