DIY Life Raft Service?

[nigelmercier]

I have a pair of "Zodiac Charter UK 6 Person" life rafts on my boat. Both need a service, but there are no service agents where the boat is, and I wouldn't trust the Greeks to do it anyway!

I figure that giving them a once-over myself is better than nothing, even if I can't do a full service. How hard can it be? Unpack, check contents, inflate via pump, leave for 24h, inspect seams, check and weigh bottle, deflate via pump, repack.

Does anyone have access to the full service schedule, so I can see what parts I can't do?

 

[penfold]

Check for corrosion(also corrosion of the cylinder; if light rust, give it a rubdown and few coats of paint, if heavy pitting better to seek a replacement) and free operation of the inflation valve thing. Batteries if there's a torch in the inventory. Renew the pyro if it's gone out of date. Dry out the desiccant. Give Zodiac a call? You never know, they might be sympathetic...

 

[William_H]

Liferaft Service

I think you could DIY provided you did not need proof of service.
You need a large carpetted area to inflate. Unfold the raft carefully so you know how to repack it. Video might be useful. Use dry air if possible and inflate to the correct pressure. Or what seems right. Certainly not too much. Leave inflated for 24 hrs to confirm no leaks.
Around here the professionals send the bottle and valve to a specialist bottle testing facility. As used for testing SCUBA tanks. They should have data etc for the bottle. The valves seem to be a major source of problems. Or just hope it is OK after weighing. it is up to you.
Replace all the time expired material ie batteries First aid stuff Protein supplies water etc. Carefully repack and good luck. olewill

 

[haydude]

I have a pair of "Zodiac Charter UK 6 Person" life rafts on my boat. Both need a service, but there are no service agents where the boat is, and I wouldn't trust the Greeks to do it anyway!

And why wouldn't you?

 

[dolphin]

life raft service

if you consider DIY for learning or save some money, i can understand , otherwise i disagree with you! in case you need some assistance, please send me PM, maybe i can help all depend where is your boat
regards

 

[Billjratt]

I'm sure the Greeks, (who were on the water hundreds of years ahead of us,) have liferafts that need serviced and value life just as much as us.
That aside, if you want to do it, the camera will be your best friend. Pic EVERY move and fold/unfold, and make sure your inflator can also suck all the air out again!

 

[mainmarine]

there are no problems servicing you own liferaft as long as you do not need a certificate, as stated, video or photograph as you un fold it so that you can refer back when it comes to repacking, I have serviced my own life raft and prefer to know it is ok, rather than to trust someone else. Most items inside are easily replaced and you can decide for yourself what you need to be in there.