"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