I have West Marine inflatable PFDs that use water-activated 25g CO2 cylinders. They've had the same cylinders for several years. Should they be replaced from time to time, or are they OK as long as all the indicators are green? Any advice appreciated. Thanks, Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
On 3/23/2016 3:27 PM, Rick Davies wrote: Hi Rick, We used to use some German made inflatable PDFs, when we sailed in Europe. The CO2 cartridge is good for years till the seal is punctured and the CO2 escapes. Then it has to be replaced with a new cartridge with the proper CO2 volume. I don't know how your PDF is actuated. On ours, activation was by a tablet that dissolved the second it got wet. That allowed a spring loaded plunger to pierce the CO2 cartridge inflating the PDF. I only had to replace my tablets each year to make certain that they were fresh, and good for another year of use. (rain / damp weather / might all contribute to slow tablet deterioration, and unintended PDF inflation) Connie
I have West Marine inflatable PFDs that use water-activated 25g CO2 cylinders. They've had the same cylinders for several years. Should they be replaced from time to time, or are they OK as long as all the indicators are green? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
Connie, My PFDs are also activated by dissolving tablets, but I don't know if I can buy the tablets separately from the CO2. They come in a kit. The assembly has a green ring that's supposed to tell you the tablet's OK. Have to do some further research. Thanks Rick M17 #633 Lynne L On Wednesday, March 23, 2016, Conbert Benneck <chbenneck@gmail.com> wrote:
On 3/23/2016 3:27 PM, Rick Davies wrote:
Hi Rick,
We used to use some German made inflatable PDFs, when we sailed in Europe.
The CO2 cartridge is good for years till the seal is punctured and the CO2 escapes. Then it has to be replaced with a new cartridge with the proper CO2 volume.
I don't know how your PDF is actuated.
On ours, activation was by a tablet that dissolved the second it got wet. That allowed a spring loaded plunger to pierce the CO2 cartridge inflating the PDF.
I only had to replace my tablets each year to make certain that they were fresh, and good for another year of use. (rain / damp weather / might all contribute to slow tablet deterioration, and unintended PDF inflation)
Connie
I have West Marine inflatable PFDs that use water-activated 25g CO2
cylinders. They've had the same cylinders for several years. Should they be replaced from time to time, or are they OK as long as all the indicators are green? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
Hi guys, if I'm remembering correctly, the tablet ones have a 3 year rebuild time with the kit thing and the pressure activated ones are 5 years. Trying to remember from the boat show. The CO2 would be indefinite I imagine unless it leaked or the seal got ugly. Here's a cool link.. http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/DIY-Check-Your-Inflatable-Life-Vest Jazz On Mar 23, 2016 1:34 PM, "Rick Davies" <jdavies104@gmail.com> wrote:
Connie,
My PFDs are also activated by dissolving tablets, but I don't know if I can buy the tablets separately from the CO2. They come in a kit. The assembly has a green ring that's supposed to tell you the tablet's OK. Have to do some further research.
Thanks
Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
On Wednesday, March 23, 2016, Conbert Benneck <chbenneck@gmail.com> wrote:
On 3/23/2016 3:27 PM, Rick Davies wrote:
Hi Rick,
We used to use some German made inflatable PDFs, when we sailed in Europe.
The CO2 cartridge is good for years till the seal is punctured and the CO2 escapes. Then it has to be replaced with a new cartridge with the proper CO2 volume.
I don't know how your PDF is actuated.
On ours, activation was by a tablet that dissolved the second it got wet. That allowed a spring loaded plunger to pierce the CO2 cartridge inflating the PDF.
I only had to replace my tablets each year to make certain that they were fresh, and good for another year of use. (rain / damp weather / might all contribute to slow tablet deterioration, and unintended PDF inflation)
Connie
I have West Marine inflatable PFDs that use water-activated 25g CO2
cylinders. They've had the same cylinders for several years. Should they be replaced from time to time, or are they OK as long as all the indicators are green? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
yes, the bobbins (referred to earlier as tablets) usually have a three year lifespan that is noted on the bobbin. lifespan is based on manufacture date, not the date installed into the PFD. before buying bobbins confirm how old they are ... i've found them on sale and just months from expiration (this is also common for flares). as usual, read your PFD owner manual for details. do some searching you can buy just the bobbins. now, remember you should be testing the PDF chambers. the ones used here at Sage Marine testing is to happen every two months. two ways to do this: manual inflation and firing the PDF using the CO2. i recommend you fire using the CO2 once a year .. i've talked with folks that did the manual inflation testing and the PDF passed. later they inflated using the CO2 and the bladders failed (ie, ripped open). in addition follow the manual on how long the bladders are to hold air after being inflated. replace the PDF is not up to spec. i just have to say it ... always wear a PDF when on the boat, good weather and bad. i also wear my PDF when on the dock, or working on the boat at the dock, and others are not around. -- :: Dave Scobie :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com On Thu, Mar 24, 2016 at 11:40 AM, Jazzy <jazzydaze@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi guys, if I'm remembering correctly, the tablet ones have a 3 year rebuild time with the kit thing and the pressure activated ones are 5 years. Trying to remember from the boat show. The CO2 would be indefinite I imagine unless it leaked or the seal got ugly.
Here's a cool link.. http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/DIY-Check-Your-Inflatable-Life-Vest
Jazz
I have West Marine inflatable PFDs that use water-activated 25g CO2
cylinders. They've had the same cylinders for several years. Should
they
be replaced from time to time, or are they OK as long as all the indicators are green? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
I've found the bobbins I need on Amazon. Mine are more than three years old. Good idea to test with the CO2, Dave. I wouldn't have thought of that. Always checked mine by blowing them up with lung power. Rick M17 #633 Lynne L On Thursday, March 24, 2016, Dave Scobie <scoobscobie@gmail.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','scoobscobie@gmail.com');>> wrote:
yes, the bobbins (referred to earlier as tablets) usually have a three year lifespan that is noted on the bobbin. lifespan is based on manufacture date, not the date installed into the PFD.
before buying bobbins confirm how old they are ... i've found them on sale and just months from expiration (this is also common for flares).
as usual, read your PFD owner manual for details.
do some searching you can buy just the bobbins.
now, remember you should be testing the PDF chambers. the ones used here at Sage Marine testing is to happen every two months. two ways to do this: manual inflation and firing the PDF using the CO2. i recommend you fire using the CO2 once a year .. i've talked with folks that did the manual inflation testing and the PDF passed. later they inflated using the CO2 and the bladders failed (ie, ripped open).
in addition follow the manual on how long the bladders are to hold air after being inflated. replace the PDF is not up to spec.
i just have to say it ... always wear a PDF when on the boat, good weather and bad. i also wear my PDF when on the dock, or working on the boat at the dock, and others are not around.
-- :: Dave Scobie :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com
On Thu, Mar 24, 2016 at 11:40 AM, Jazzy <jazzydaze@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi guys, if I'm remembering correctly, the tablet ones have a 3 year rebuild time with the kit thing and the pressure activated ones are 5 years. Trying to remember from the boat show. The CO2 would be indefinite I imagine unless it leaked or the seal got ugly.
Here's a cool link..
http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/DIY-Check-Your-Inflatable-Life-Vest
Jazz
I have West Marine inflatable PFDs that use water-activated 25g CO2
cylinders. They've had the same cylinders for several years. Should
they
be replaced from time to time, or are they OK as long as all the indicators are green? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
On Mar 24, 2016, at 4:21 PM, Dave Scobie <scoobscobie@gmail.com> wrote:
yes, the bobbins (referred to earlier as tablets) usually have a three year lifespan that is noted on the bobbin. lifespan is based on manufacture date, not the date installed into the PFD.
Halkey-Roberts (the original maker of this type of activator) recommends a three year shelf life PLUS a three year service life. http://www.halkeyroberts.com/userfiles/files/Inflation%20IFUs/IFU-V80040-B%2...
participants (5)
-
Conbert Benneck -
Dave Scobie -
David Rifkind -
Jazzy -
Rick Davies