"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
...
"Capt. JG" wrote in
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"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
.. .
"Capt. JG" wrote in
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"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
.. .
Red wrote in
:

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with the hydrostatic
release module that is inside the case that launches the EPIRB
when the boat is sinking? Specifically the one I am inquiring
about is the Hammar model H20 E. It says on the top that you
should replace after 2 years of "use", but what if the unit was
manufactured longer than a few years prior? If the manufacture
date is 2005, but has been deployed in the case for only one year
since purchase - would the unit still be good and reliable? I am
not familiar with the internal workings of these units, are they a
form of explosive charge (making them more susceptible to failures
over time similar to flares), or just spring loaded? Any other
info I should know? Thanks Red

I have one of these and have found the replacement hydrostatic
release part
on the Internet. This is the same part that I have on my liferaft.

I believe that it's a mechanical part with a sharp blade that cuts
the rubber retaining rob in the EPIRB unit and (I think) a line for
the life raft. I tend to replace them every 2 years. They aren't
cheap.

I've taken an old unit diving with me to see if it would "fire".
It did and there wasn't any explosive sound. I suspect that it's a
pressure activated release on a spring. The problem is that
there's no way to inspect it and it's a one time use device.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org


Isn't that the definition of hydrostatic... pressure release?

Yes it is, and I was simply stating that it wasn't an explosive
charge and instead a mechanical cutting device triggered by pressure.
I'm not quite sure what point you were trying to make other than
perhaps to be a smartass
and not add anything to the discussion.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org


Well Geoff, it seemed to me that you were asking if a hydrostatic
device is a pressure release mechanism. I suppose it's possible for
this to actuate something other than a spring, but that seems overly
complicated. What did you think it would activate?

That was my point, which if you'd have stated your question a bit more
clearly, would have contributed a great deal more to the discussion.

I think that you're confusing me with the OP. I haven't asked any
questions. The closest thing to a question was my statement "I suspect
that it's a pressure activated release on a spring." Not having opened
one up, I wasn't sure how it operated, but I certainly understood that
hydrostatic is a synonym for "pressure activated."

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org


Ah... glad you understood. Sorry if my post seemed smartass-like... wasn't
my intention, although I am pretty good at it from time to time.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com