Lifejacket spares - advice sought

[emandvee44]

My auto lifejackets require servicing, and as the firing heads and the lights have all expired, I ordered replacements from a UK supplier in order to save some money on the professional servicing charges.

Although ordered for the XM Quickfit 150N auto, the firing heads received are different to the expired ones fitted. The last service was carried out by a service company and the heads were changed then, but were the correct ones fitted?

Attached photos show the new firing head (first photo - and which are called 'united moulders type') and the expired head (second photo)
The new ones do attach correctly.

I have written to XM but so far no reply.

If someone out there with the same type of lifejacket can have a look at the firing head please.

Thank you,

Michael.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Looks like you need this.

 

[emandvee44]

Thanks Ken,
Agreed the link shows the same ones as fitted, but the ones fitted are not the original ones, as the lifejackets have been serviced at least once since purchase (by previous owner)
I hope you are wrong or I will have to send them back!

Cheers,

Michael.

 

[emandvee44]

A further search on the internet and I have found a relevant photo - Bayside Marine

Should have ordered from them!

Michael

 

[Ripster]

Did mine this year. Try these guys for the parts.

http://www.aspli.com/products/1785/united-moulders-re-arming-pack-33gram-co2

 

[Twister_Ken]

Thanks Ken,
Agreed the link shows the same ones as fitted, but the ones fitted are not the original ones, as the lifejackets have been serviced at least once since purchase (by previous owner)
I hope you are wrong or I will have to send them back!

Cheers,

Michael.

As long as the sensing unit fits and releases the actuator's firing pin when it's immersed, it doesn't really matter what it looks like. If the ones fitted by the previous owner work, then so will like-for-like replacements. As you're scrapping the old unit as time-expired, why not dunk it and see whether you get inflation?

 

[Talulah]

Did mine this year. Try these guys for the parts.

http://www.aspli.com/products/1785/united-moulders-re-arming-pack-33gram-co2

I've used these people. Can't beat them for price and delivery next day.
Excellent.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I inherited 6 old cylinders with my boat. Every one was nice and shiny and every one still weighed more than the minimum and so were serviceable.

 

[emandvee44]

Lifejacket Spares

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions

I think I've cracked it.
After spending an hour or so on the UML website I have concluded that there are two types of cartridge heads which can be used with the UM-5 head. The older one may be subject to water ingress when in normal use and might therefore activate. The new type ( 5i ), is a modified version designed to prevent this happening and is therefore the preferred option.
What is not clear is why the older type is still available with 3 years life, and why my supplier sent the old type!

Michael.

 

[Twister_Ken]

What is not clear is why the older type is still available with 3 years life, and why my supplier sent the old type!

Michael.

P*ss-poor stock rotation!