[PSUBS-MAILIST] Mechanical Depth Gauges

Sat Aug 11 11:12:24 EDT 2018

Thanks Doug, glad it did the trick!
Rick

On Fri, Aug 10, 2018 at 12:11 PM Brian Cox via Personal_Submersibles <
personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:

> I use surfboard polishing compound and a buffing wheel.
>
> Brian
>
>
> --- personal_submersibles at psubs.org wrote:
>
> From: Douglas Suhr via Personal_Submersibles <
> personal_submersibles at psubs.org>
> To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion <
> personal_submersibles at psubs.org>
> Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Mechanical Depth Gauges
> Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2018 14:55:44 -0400
>
> A shout-out to Rick Patton for recommending a car headlight
> restoration kit for the crazing on the transparent gauge cover... I
> bought 3M's headlight kit and it worked perfectly. Their first step
> was 500 grit paper, which I skipped for the 800. Then 3000, followed
> by a buffing wheel. Clear as it was new... I'm actually pretty
> impressed. ~ Doug
>
> On 7/30/18, Rick Patton via Personal_Submersibles
> <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:
> > I would get some of that stuff they sell at the automotive stores for
> > making your headlight lenses clear again after they turn milky ( I was
> > really skeptical about that stuff until I tried it but It really worked )
> > shine it back clear again then stick a couple of small silaca packs
> inside
> > the housing if there is room for them and see if that works.
> > Rick
> >
> > On Mon, Jul 30, 2018 at 10:15 AM Douglas Suhr via Personal_Submersibles <
> > personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:
> >
> >> All, as you may've been aware, in late 2015 I purchased Snoopy (a
> >> K-250) from Alec Smyth. Regrettably I have been quite neglectful of
> >> performing much upkeep on the sub, save for keeping the batteries
> >> topped off. My schedule is finally allowing me to spend some real time
> >> working on the sub and getting to know the specifics of each system.
> >>
> >> As you can imagine, I've been bugging Alec with a question here and
> >> there, but thought with this topic I should start a discussion here on
> >> the list for the benefit of anyone else who might have questions /
> >> curiosities about mechanical depth gauges.
> >>
> >> Snoopy's depth gauge is nice and large (about 5" in diameter) so it's
> >> easy to read. Alec created a nice label for the gauge face which reads
> >> from 0 to 300 (in feet) with the last fifty feet being marked in red
> >> to indicate 'too deep.'
> >>
> >> Problem is, when I looked at the depth gauge the other day, I noticed
> >> that the transparent cover plate on the gauge looked to be quite
> >> opaque (to the point where I couldn't quite read the numbers or count
> >> the hash marks). I assumed that there was some moisture trapped in the
> >> gauge, causing the obscuration. I decided to remove the gauge from the
> >> sub and open it up to let it dry out.
> >>
> >> After removing the gauge from the sub, I unscrewed three small screws
> >> around the bezel and popped off the transparent cover plate. It was
> >> only then that I realized the opaqueness was not caused by moisture
> >> but a distortion in the clear plastic. The distortion (like super fine
> >> scratches) appears to be on the outside of the cover, as though it was
> >> cleaned by something that started to melt the plastic or was left out
> >> in the sun too long. I don't think either of these explanations make
> >> sense, but I'm puzzled as to what might have caused it. I might try to
> >> buff / polish the plastic, or perhaps just replace it with glass.
> >>
> >> I think it's a good idea to stick a dive computer in viewing range of
> >> a viewport for a depth reading, but I like the idea of having a
> >> mechanical gauge in the sub as well. A couple of questions that come
> >> to mind: what is the pressure variation between salt water and fresh
> >> water? Also, although I didn't find moisture in the gauge, The label
> >> on the face is wrinkled a bit as though it has seen moisture. Although
> >> water should never actually reach the gauge, I can see how moisture
> >> from the inlet tube could find its way up into the gauge body. Should
> >> I be concerned about drying it out somehow after a dive (especially in
> >> salt water)? If so, how should I go about it? ~ Doug S.
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >
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