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/

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

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

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

"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

Red wrote in
:

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


We may have different units. Mine is from about 1997 and it has a rubber
rod that restrains spring and the cover. This rod is cut by the
hydrostatic release, allowing the cover to come off and and spring to push
the EPIRB out of the case.

Since you're just going to trash the hydrostatic release, tie a string to
it and drop it into some deep water and see if it works. I think that
they're supposed to go off at 13'.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org

On Jan 18, 8:16 am, Geoff Schultz wrote:
...Since you're just going to trash the hydrostatic release, tie a string to
it and drop it into some deep water and see if it works. I think that
they're supposed to go off at 13'. ...

I disassembled one that I'd replaced after 5 years of cruising and it
looked brand new inside and worked perfectly... I suppose they're
worried about the mechanism getting fouled by salt or something...
Anyway, FWIW it was easy to take apart and put back together.

-- Tom.