If I have expired bobbins and antique CO2 cartridges and I’m wondering if the bladder on my PFD has leaks, why not pull the cord and inflate the PFD and check for leaks? You’re going to replace the bobbins and cartridges anyway so save yourself the hassle of trying to blow the PFD up manually (which is likely to underinflate the bladder to start with) and check for leakage.
And Charlie, you won’t get far looking online for Landmark.. the company is Landfall Navigation in Stamford CT. www.landfallnavigation.com <http://www.landfallnavigation.com> . Another source would be Life raft and Survival in Tiverton, RI. Life Jackets, Safety Vests <https://www.lrse.com/collections/life-jackets> & PFDs – Life Raft and Survival Equipment, Inc. Chuck Gilchrest s/v Half Magic 1983 LF 35 Padanaram, MA From: Steve Mallett via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Sent: Friday, January 3, 2025 5:04 AM To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Steve Mallett <steve.mallet...@gmail.com> Subject: Stus-List Re: CO2 cartridge Re: Inflatable PFDs On Fri, Jan 3, 2025, 2:30 a.m. CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: Hey guys, I'll check Landmark. I'm just wary that companies sell safety equipment that is outdated. I recently (today) learned that it's possible to recertify your CO2 cartridges yourself, and keep and reuse them indefinitely saving $$$$$. You simply need to weigh the cartridge using a digital scale like a food scale and record the weight and date on the CO2 cylinder. My 38 gram CO2 bottles were marked, Minimum Gross Weight of 149 grams and the actual weight came to 153 grams and 157 grams. I used two different scales to confirm my test. I have four inflatable PFDs. I pulled the CO2 bottles and three look brand new though they were made in 2003 and 2007. I will replace the corroded one, even though it passed the weight test. I weighed the others individually and used a piece of rigging tape and a sharpie to record the weight in grams and the date, when they were checked. I've been told they need to be checked annually, and this method meets that criteria. The water activated "bobbin" is different. It has an expiration date printed on it and most Coast Guard inspections will want that current and I might keep a spare CO2 and bobbin, onboard in a ziplocked sandwich bag if I were planning a trip to Bermuda. If you want to be more assured and safety minded, you can open the PFDs further and manually blow up the bladder as best you can and wait 24 hours to test for leaks. Then squeeze out all the air, rearm them, and refold them back into their jackets and return them to service. I may do that tomorrow as there's no sense depending on a PFD or buying a new CO2 cartridge if it can't maintain pressure? Hope this helps others, Chuck Scheaffer, Resolute, 1989 34R, Annapolis On 01/02/2025 4:11 PM EST Richard Bush via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: Chuck, great question, I need some too! Richard 1985 C&C 37 CB; Mile 596, Ohio River Richard N. Bush Law Offices 2950 Breckenridge Lane <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2950+Breckenridge+Lane?entry=gmail&source=g> , Suite Nine Louisville, Kentucky 40220 (502) 584-7255 On Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 02:20:19 PM EST, CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: Hey guys, Where is the best place to buy CO2 cartridges for inflatable PFDs? Thanks, Chuck Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated.
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