Remploy Commodore II servicing...

Fantasie 19

Fantasie 19

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I have a couple of elderly, manual inflatable, Remploy Commodore II lifejackets that I feel are long overdue for service...

I've blown them up for the 24hour test - they look OK so far..

The gas bottles are corroded though and I need replacements...

P1010082.jpg


Firing is a Halkey Roberts system (marked Halkey Roberts model 840 - it looks like they haven't been fired as the trigger is in the up position, the cylinder isn't pierced, and I assume there would be a firing pin in the up position if it had been)

P1010080.jpg


P1010081.jpg


Two questions - I remember seeing a post recently (which I can't find) recommending a supplier of gas cylinders, spares etc etc.??

Two - what do I need to order just the cylinder, or do I need to replace any/all of the firing system as well???
 
Looks like yours is missing the little plastic clip that holds the arm in the up position. Where it's painted red - the clip will cover this and will probably be green to indicate "ok".

Pete
 
Cheers guys... OK.... mixed bag of responses...

I've seen the green clips, but have assumed you would leave these out while sailing in order to deploy the lifejacket, or are these considered a sacrificial clip and fragile enough that when you pull the toggle the lifejacket will still activate?

...anyone remember the URL for that cylinder site??

AngusMcDoon.. I thought about it, but these lifejackets despite being called elderly are in fairly good nick (cylinder aside).. I hate wasting stuff, would much prefer to re-furb.. :rolleyes:
 
Fantasie 19 said:
I've seen the green clips, but have assumed you would leave these out while sailing in order to deploy the lifejacket, or are these considered a sacrificial clip and fragile enough that when you pull the toggle the lifejacket will still activate?
Click to expand...

Exactly - they ping off (hence changing from green to red) when the toggle is pulled. The jacket will still work without one, but you're at greater risk of letting it off accidentally. The clip provides a small amount of resistance so that a definite pull is needed to move the trigger.

Pete
 
Fantasie 19,

try these people; http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/contact.html

Be careful to give all the info ( & photo's if poss ) you can, took them 3 attempts to get the right kit for my lifejacket, but they were very good about it and sent the correct bits poste haste.

I do agree with the previous poster who said 'get new LJ's', I got some new KRU harness / lifejackets a year ago and am very pleased with them, about £44.00 from Piplers of Poole - who also gave excellent service.

As you may recall, I can honestly say they work ! :)
 
Thanks for the responses guys - all sorted now...

Both LJ's air tested for 24 hours and passed...

New gas bottles obtained from the Marine Superstore at Port Solent for £13 each - I've seen them marginally cheaper online but like to buy what I can actually see...

LJ's now refolded, re-zipped and with new bottles screwed in....

Just to find out what they felt like when going off, much to my little'uns amusement I triggered one of them with the worst of the two cylinders - it worked (of course) and was far less dramatic than I thought.... :rolleyes:

Crutch strap fitted to the one that was missing...

I'm good to go to sea again...

PS. Even found the green pin - it had come out and got caught in the LJ cover when I was dismantling it for the air test...
 
Fantasie 19 said:
Cheers guys... OK.... mixed bag of responses...

I've seen the green clips, but have assumed you would leave these out while sailing in order to deploy the lifejacket, or are these considered a sacrificial clip and fragile enough that when you pull the toggle the lifejacket will still activate?

...anyone remember the URL for that cylinder site??

AngusMcDoon.. I thought about it, but these lifejackets despite being called elderly are in fairly good nick (cylinder aside).. I hate wasting stuff, would much prefer to re-furb.. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Mine 2 manual Commodore 2 are 1998. Tried one with 10 years old cylinder.
It worked perfectly, stay inflated, the inside looks perfectly new,mechanism,fabric,glue.
???
 
Seem to be a lot of old threads getting a new life recently.

Perhaps you should read the advice given to the OP to replace not just the gas bulb but the entire life jacket given its age?

Wouldnt you rather you hand a new LJ to your children or grand children to wear rather than sode stream bulb replacement serviced antique?
 
TSB240 said:
Seem to be a lot of old threads getting a new life recently.

Perhaps you should read the advice given to the OP to replace not just the gas bulb but the entire life jacket given its age?

Wouldnt you rather you hand a new LJ to your children or grand children to wear rather than sode stream bulb replacement serviced antique?
Click to expand...

OP here - the LJ's in question are still in use - they get serviced every year, they pass an inflation test every year, not sure they need replacing yet.. ;)
 
We had an RNLI lifejacket inspection evening at the club last winter, free inspection & cylinder replacement if needed.
Of all the lifejackets that turned up 90% were defective in one way or another & were condemmed.
Would you trust your life or one of your families on something that old?
 
Keith 66 said:
Would you trust your life or one of your families on something that old?
Click to expand...

Yes I would, and indeed do... it's been serviced every year, inflation tested every year and is proven good....

If we all replace everything just because of its age, how old do we set the date, 2 years, 4 years, 5 years??

How many of those life jackets that were condemned had ever been regularly serviced??
 
Keith 66 said:
We had an RNLI lifejacket inspection evening at the club last winter, free inspection & cylinder replacement if needed.
Of all the lifejackets that turned up 90% were defective in one way or another & were condemmed…
Click to expand...
Are you sure they were RNLI staff and not just wily Spinlock or Seago staff masquerading as concerned officials?
 
Fantasie 19 said:
OP here - the LJ's in question are still in use - they get serviced every year, they pass an inflation test every year, not sure they need replacing yet.. ;)
Click to expand...
Last remploy factory closed in 2013

You posted in 2012 and ten years later you still trust an inflation test.

Industry accepted interval for complete replacement of LJ's is 10 years with 1 year service intervals up to then.

I found a time expired liferaft on our new boat that is just beyond the time expiry date.
Grandchildren enjoyed using it as a bouncy castle for 30 minutes before seams gave up.
 
The gas cylinder should hahe been replaced some years ago as that damage does not happen in twelve months. There should be a green clip on the valve which spans across the back of the actuation lever and indicates iv the cord has been pulled and it is a good idea to actuate the inflation lever with the bottle off anf conform that the need in the valve rises to a position where it will pierce the cylinder In your case you could use that old cylinder and check the inflation device releases its gas beofre fitting a new cylinder.

The gas cylinders usually come in two capacities. 33gm and 38 gm. Check which you require.

The company some of us use when buying spares in quantity is as below. You might get the parts you want in a chandlery but make sure you get the correct green clip. You jackets are rather old so check for any degrading of material or seem damage.

https://rt-supplies.co.uk/
 
Bilgediver said:
The gas cylinder should hahe been replaced some years ago as that damage does not happen in twelve months. There should be a green clip on the valve which spans across the back of the actuation lever and indicates iv the cord has been pulled and it is a good idea to actuate the inflation lever with the bottle off anf conform that the need in the valve rises to a position where it will pierce the cylinder In your case you could use that old cylinder and check the inflation device releases its gas beofre fitting a new cylinder.

The gas cylinders usually come in two capacities. 33gm and 38 gm. Check which you require.

The company some of us use when buying spares in quantity is as below. You might get the parts you want in a chandlery but make sure you get the correct green clip. You jackets are rather old so check for any degrading of material or seem damage.

https://rt-supplies.co.uk/
Click to expand...
I've used RT-Supplies several times in last 8-10 years and they've always supplied items on time at a lower price than most other places. Very useful for really odd bits like sealing caps, clips, washers, o-rings etc. as well as larger items.

Prices are pretty good e.g. UML Mk5i Cartridge might be about £6.60 vs. £11 - £12 from some online chandlers.
 
TSB240 said:
Last remploy factory closed in 2013

You posted in 2012 and ten years later you still trust an inflation test.

Industry accepted interval for complete replacement of LJ's is 10 years with 1 year service intervals up to then.

I found a time expired liferaft on our new boat that is just beyond the time expiry date.
Grandchildren enjoyed using it as a bouncy castle for 30 minutes before seams gave up.
Click to expand...

Industry standard from an industry that wants to keep selling you new lifejackets perhaps?? ;)

I inflation test (yearly) for a minimum 24 hours - by the time I get round to putting them away sometimes 36 to 48 hours. Same time the gas bottles are weighed and condition checked, same time bladder condition is checked. Straps/webbing/zips/cover also checked..

I see little point in replacing something that is clearly fit for purpose, purely because it's "old", but the covers are getting a bit worn so i'll replace them in the next couple of years
 
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