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

On 2008-01-18 02:15:50 -0500, Red said:

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.

That's something I'd go to the manufacturer with, possibly to a good
independent technician if such exist. My impression is that these
things are built to absolutely positively function (as much as can be
humanly possible) within the time periods mentioned. Their backside is
on the line big time if their units don't perform to their stated
claims....

I *suspect* that the clock didn't tick on the launching mechanism while
it was in a climate controlled environment that limited corrosion and
also that it's probably safe for easily double the stated time period,
but it's up to you to trust my assessment of a unit I haven't actually
examined.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On 2008-01-18 02:15:50 -0500, Red said:

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.


That's something I'd go to the manufacturer with, possibly to a good
independent technician if such exist. My impression is that these things
are built to absolutely positively function (as much as can be humanly
possible) within the time periods mentioned. Their backside is on the
line big time if their units don't perform to their stated claims....

I *suspect* that the clock didn't tick on the launching mechanism while
it was in a climate controlled environment that limited corrosion and
also that it's probably safe for easily double the stated time period,
but it's up to you to trust my assessment of a unit I haven't actually
examined.

--
Jere Lull


I have been trying to convince the owner of the EPIRB to get a new one
to be safe, but it has been service only one year so he seems to be
opting for keeping this one till the end of the season. That would not
be my choice.
Red

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

"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?


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

"Capt. JG" wrote in
:

"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

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

"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.

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

"Capt. JG" wrote in
:

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

"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

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

Geoff,
There is no rubber retainer in the EPIRB housing. The release module has
a pin that sticks through the front of the container that you can push
to deploy the EPIRB manually, or the water pressure releases the pin
when the boat sinks. When the pin is released it in turn releases a
long, flat spring along the bottom of the case that pushes the EPIRB out
of the case. I just didn't know what the module uses to release the pin,
and if that mechanism degrades over time. In either case I've advised
the owner to replace it, but at this time I believe he will keep it till
the end of the season.
Red

Ok, I've got some answers from some survival gear outfits. I'm told that
the service life on the release module is two years "in service"
regardless of manufacture date (providing its not *too* old) as long as
it is in good condition. So if it was manufactured in 2005 but purchased
in spring 2007 and put in service at that time, then it would be good to
go through spring 2009. The price I got on one was $147 plus shipping -
didn't check the net for it yet.
Red