In a kayak I had a few years back, I had an Attwood Waterbuster http://tinyurl.com/2dy7uv In my new boat I wanted a marine-grade pump that could be turned on and off with the sprayskirt sealed (so the boat wouldnbt reswamp), and that ran on AAs rather than D cells. (I have a solar panel set-up on my kayak that can recharge AAs but not Ds.) Via Paddlewise, I discovered Mike Dalybs set-up: http://www.greatlakeskayaker.ca/pump.html Ibve basically duplicated Mikebs system with a few tweaks: Instead of a one-way check valve b the lips of which can get jammed open by debris b I put a loop in the outlet hose to prevent backwash and downflooding (Ibll be melting a small hole with a hot pin at the top of the loop in the hose. This will allow air to bleed off and prevent an airlock forming there.) I upgraded the battery holders to ones with snap-on lids to prevent batteries falling out. One lid is visible (removed for clarity) in this photo. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayakwriter/458388046 I trimmed tangs and a bit off the ends of these holders to create more room in the case. From his web page, it sounds like Mike upgraded the battery holders in his set-up after his photos were taken. In places, I cut out the walls of the rubber liner tray of the Pelican Micro Case. This was to make room for the ends of the fuse holder and to allow the air switch to butt up right against the side it runs through. I was careful not to cut the liner tray near its lip, which forms the waterproof gasket for the lid when the case is closed. I had the option of using 2650 mAh AAs (battery technology has improved since Mike built his unit with 2300 mAh batteries). Instead, I opted for new Panasonic R2 NiMHs. They actually have a little less capacity b 2050 mAhs b but a lower self-discharge rate (they claim up to 80% capacity after 6 months storage). I hope not to be using the pump regularly, so I want it to be as maintenance-free as possible. Mike mentioned to me in a private email that the screw holders on his pump base had broken over time (I guess that when Attwood designed the unit, they didnbt contemplate a boat that inverted completely as a matter of routine.) So I put some of the same stick-on Velcro on the bottom of the pump base as is used to hold the Pelican Micro Case in place. Ibm hoping this will minimize torque on the screw holes. Ibd debated epoxying the base in place, but decided it would make repair/removal/replacement without damaging the boat bottom really hard. Youbll notice in this photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayakwriter/458388054 that in my configuration, the Micro Case sits on the bottom of the boat. This keeps the centre of gravity lower (itbs a heavy little unit, crammed as it is with batteries, switch, and fuse. Ibve also fit a spare fuse and a moisture-absorbing desiccant packet in there.) Also, the nipple for the air hose (the silver thing just visible behind the pump) is on the far side from the air switch. This allows the air hose (just visible behind the water hose) to run to the air button without crimps. Thanks to Mike D for the original idea and for answering my questions. Ibm toying with the idea of seacocks that would allow me, in the event of hatch leakage, to drain water from the bow or stern compartments into the cockpit, where the pump could dispose of it. To be operable at sea, that would require a pipe from the bow bulkhead, so Ibll have to decide whether itbs practical. Philip ________________________________________________________________________ Check Out the new free AIM(R) Mail -- 2 GB of storage and industry-leading spam and email virus protection. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
kayakwriter_at_aim.com wrote: Good stuff! > Mike mentioned to me in a private email that > the screw holders on his pump base had broken over time (I guess that when > Attwood designed the unit, they didnbt contemplate a boat that inverted > completely as a matter of routine.) A bit of misunderstanding - it isn't the mounting screws that attach the base to the kayak that were a problem, but the tabs that secure the removable, white part of the pump from the blue base. You know how you have to press a tab in to remove the white part? - those tabs snapped off over time. The three outer tabs snapped off, while the inner ones are still in place. They hold the pump body loosely and it can come off more easily. I like the battery holder you found. Where did you find it? Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: mikedaly_at_magma.ca >A bit of misunderstanding - it isn't the mounting screws that attach the base to the kayak that were a problem, but the tabs that secure the removable, white part of the pump from the blue base. You know how you have to press a tab in to remove the white part? - those tabs snapped off over time. The three outer tabs snapped off, while the inner ones are still in place. They hold the pump body loosely and it can come off more easily. Ahh, well, still happy with my reinforcement. And I'll be extra careful with the tabs. > I like the battery holder you found. Where did you find it? Got them at an electronic hobbyist specialty store on the outskirts of Vancouver. Active Electronics Vancouver 3695 1st Avenue East Vancouver, BC V5M 1C2 (604) 654-1057 Radio Shack, now called The Source, seems to have a much smaller selection of stuff for the do-it-yourselfer these days than it used to, so maybe you'll have to look for a mail order option. I've had good experiences shopping in person with these guys (no experience with mail order): http://www.rpelectronics.com/ BTY, I did a timed pump of a completely full cockpit yesterday. About 7 minutes before it started losing prime as it emptied. Not bad, and I think better than hand pumping and needing to the skirt at least partially open and subject to reswamping. I'm toying with the idea of carefully boring out the exit through-hull fixture on my set-up with a drill, to make it slightly wider for faster waterflow (it seems to me that as the narrowest point the water has to fit through, it's literally the bottleneck.) Any thoughts? Philip ________________________________________________________________________ Check Out the new free AIM(R) Mail -- 2 GB of storage and industry-leading spam and email virus protection. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
kayakwriter_at_aim.com wrote: > Active Electronics Vancouver There's one near here and I rarely go there (it's expensive compared to the surplus stores I usually get stuff from). > I'm toying with the idea of carefully boring out the exit > through-hull fixture on my set-up with a drill, to make it > slightly wider for faster waterflow A 180 litre cockpit (like a Solstice GTS, BD Ellesmere or similar) should empty in 4.5 minutes if the pump is hitting its 625 gal/hour rating. Your 7 minute time sounds a bit slow. Mine was a not too far off the rating with the normal thru-hull fitting. Before drilling, just pull the pipe off the thru-hull and test it with the pipe opening at the same height as the hull. That will show the time for thru-hull with no thru-hull constriction. If it speeds up things significantly, then you might get part of that result with a drilled out thru-hull. Your pipe looked corrugated in the photo, like the flexible, thin wall stuff some use for boat plumbing. I used the straight-sided clear vinyl type. That might also have an effect on the flow, especially since the loop you use makes it longer than mine. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Michael Daly wrote: > Before drilling, just pull the pipe off the thru-hull and test it with > the pipe opening at the same height as the hull. Duh... make that - the same height as the _deck_ where the fitting is. That produces the same head for the pump to push against. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks for the test suggestions and the piping possibilities. I can't find a cockpit capacity on the manufacturer's website for my boat, so I'm not sure what the nominal time to empty it should be if the pump is running at the full 625 gal/hour. As I mentioned in response to Dana's comment, I'm going to try fully charging the batteries (I'd used them fresh out of the pack as they're supposed to be "ready for use"). We'll see if that makes a difference. Cheers, Philip -----Original Message----- From: mikedaly_at_magma.ca A 180 litre cockpit (like a Solstice GTS, BD Ellesmere or similar) should empty in 4.5 minutes if the pump is hitting its 625 gal/hour rating. Your 7 minute time sounds a bit slow. Mine was a not too far off the rating with the normal thru-hull fitting. Before drilling, just pull the pipe off the thru-hull and test it with the pipe opening at the same height as the hull. That will show the time for thru-hull with no thru-hull constriction. If it speeds up things significantly, then you might get part of that result with a drilled out thru-hull. Your pipe looked corrugated in the photo, like the flexible, thin wall stuff some use for boat plumbing. I used the straight-sided clear vinyl type. That might also have an effect on the flow, especially since the loop you use makes it longer than mine. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm looking for a new waterproof kayaking camera, and I'm down between these two: Olympus Stylus 720 SW and the Pentax Optio W30. I currently have the older Pentax Optio 43WR, and, while this camera takes great pictures and is definitely waterproof, I hate it because the LCD screen is basically not visible in sunlight. Hence, I'm currently leaning towards the Olympus. Any thoughts? Thanks! John *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I recently purchased the Olympus 770SW after having 2 Pentax Optio's leak. I am still getting familiar with the 770 and so far am happy. However, like other point and shoots the LCD in sunlight is almost useful. Camera designers obviously do not use their products in real conditions. Wish they would include an old fashioned viewfinder. sid these two: Olympus Stylus 720 SW and the Pentax Optio W30. I currently have the older Pentax Optio 43WR, and, while this camera takes great pictures and is definitely waterproof, I hate it because the LCD screen is basically not visible in sunlight. Hence, I'm currently leaning towards the Olympus. Any thoughts? Thanks! John ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
SNStone_at_aol.com said the following on 4/19/2007 6:24 AM: > I recently purchased the Olympus 770SW after having 2 Pentax Optio's > leak. I am still getting familiar with the 770 and so far am happy. > However, like other point and shoots the LCD in sunlight is almost useful. Sorry, was this a typo? If it's almost "useful" that's an improvement over the Optio I had :-) John *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
John, I have the Optio W20 and it's screen is quite a bit brighter than the earlier Pentax cameras. It's not fantastic in the bright sun ( I don't think that exists), but you can see it. It's not a complete guessing game of what you are shooting. Prior to purchasing it, the camera store where I bought it let me take it out into the street on a very sunny day to try it out. It's only a little harder to see while bouncing on textured water in a kayak. Steve Holtzman Southern California *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steve Holtzman wrote: > It's not fantastic in the bright sun ( I don't think that exists) Some companies have started using electronic paper for displays (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_paper). This stuff can be read in sunlight, since it relies on reflection and not transmission of light through the medium like LCDs. I haven't seen anything like this in person - does anyone have a Motorola Motofone? Comments on its performance in sun would be welcome. I'd like to get a sheet of this stuff on the deck of my kayak so I can have large digital maps. If you could connect a camera to one and put the camera under the kayak, you could see "through" the kayak! Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Please remove all old content that is not pertinent to your reply including old headers and footers. It's list policy.... this post was modified to meet policy] Delkin devices makes a 2.5 inc screen shade (available for about $30 CDN at London Drugs) This does a great job of making the screen visible in sunlight... works well with the w20... At 07:38 AM 19/04/2007, Steve Holtzman wrote: >John, > >I have the Optio W20 and it's screen is quite a bit brighter than the >earlier Pentax cameras. It's not fantastic in the bright sun ( I don't think >that exists), but you can see it. It's not a complete guessing game of what >you are shooting. > >Prior to purchasing it, the camera store where I bought it let me take it >out into the street on a very sunny day to try it out. It's only a little >harder to see while bouncing on textured water in a kayak. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have the Optio W10 and agree the screen is very difficult to see, but if that is your main reason for chosing one camera over the other, try to test them side by side to see if there is any real difference. I find it hard to believe there will be a big difference, but haven't tried. There certainly is a difference in price when I was looking at the two brands. As for problems with leakage in the Pentax Optio, I just have to say I'm pretty amazed at the beating my camera has taken while still remaining dry and keeping most of its functions! Repeated poundings in surf sometimes dangling from a leash on my paddle or banging against my boat. I spent over an hour yesterday out of my boat in the water in the surf taking videos with no problems. To me it seems like a cat with nine lives! If you check out some of my videos on my website you can see what I've put it through, just multiply that by 10-20 times. Mark Sanders www.sandmarks.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Have you considered the Canon SD700 with the separate watertight case that is good to something like 100 feet? I love the pix the camera gives outside of the case. Best Regards, Tony Reynes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm sure there are cameras that take a better picture than the Pentax Optio, as I often feel I need to tweak them a bit. Getting a land based camera that takes great shots and pairing it with a watertight case seems a good idea for some uses. However I don't think that solves the viewing screen issue. The addition of a viewfinder isn't helpful in my use as it is too hard to use in rough conditions on my kayak. The added bulk of a case also poses a problem. I'm trying to make a simple viewing frame for my camera so I can just leave the screen off and save battery power. The waterproof camera just makes things more simple and I try to live with its limitations. Mark www.sandmarks.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
typo - s/b useless --- didn't have my 3 cups of coffee before responding sunlight is almost useful. Sorry, was this a typo? If it's almost "useful" that's an improvement over the Optio I had :-) John ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks to everyone for the input! I bought the Olympus 770SW today, I'll let you all know how it works out! :-) In the end, I just liked the "feel" of the Olympus better, plus it has an automatic cover for the lens. I shot a ton of photos with the Pentax that had giant water droplets on the lens... John *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Please remove all old content that is not pertinent to your reply including old headers and footers. It's list policy.... this post was modified to meet policy] I have a Pentax W10. I love the size (not bulky in my pocket) but I have found that in bright light it is hard to see the mage on the screen. A peep sight would be nice. I have also experienced a lot of pictures with water drops on the lens. I need to remind myself to check it before I shoot. Your statement about the Olympus having an automatic cover sounds good as long as it doesn't stay open while you're waiting to shoot. The cover does sound good in another way however. I worry that my Pentax's lens has no cover and thus isn't protected from the abuse it sees inside my pocket. Key's coins, etc. share the pocket. Good luck with the Olympus. I look forward to hearing more about it in the future. Bill Leonhardt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Thursday 19 April 2007 05:08, John wrote: > I currently have the older Pentax Optio 43WR, and, while this camera > takes great pictures and is definitely waterproof, I hate it because the > LCD screen is basically not visible in sunlight. Hence, I'm currently > leaning towards the Olympus. My wife uses a 725 SW (seems to be the European version of the 720 SW) and is very pleased with it, but she has the same problems with sunlight, unless she can shade the display somehow ! So why not put it to test - try them both out on a sunny day?! Cameras like this ought to have a what in Swedish was called a sports viewer (those that looked like a WWI aircraft gun sight), often found on UV camera houses (at least used to be)! Tord *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Please remove all old content that is not pertinent to your reply including old headers and footers. It's list policy.... this post was modified to meet policy] I have the Olympus 720SW, and I love it. But any LCD screen is going to be invisible in bright sunlight, unless you have some sort of hood. And you're really not going to carry a hood with you on the water. But this camera takes great pictures, is easy to operate, and it fits in a PFD pocket. I know it's waterproof; I've only dropped it once, but if that one fall is an indication, it's truly shockproof, too.I don't need more than that.Joan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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