05-07-2013, 10:17 PM
OK folks, I just got a nice reply to my emails to Outcast from Kyle Green, Service Dept. Mgr. and it seems that all is good.
Not that I think I'll be needing them anytime soon, but replacement bladders that will work, while not exact replacements, are only $70 or so. Not too bad!
I'll just go ahead and post his reply here for all to see as it contains information that others may find as useful as I did.
Thanks again to all. I'll be sure to update later on as I progress. Now, where in the heck is that "Tube Dude" DVD I got last year... [
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[font "Times New Roman"]Hello Randall,
Looks Looks like you got a pretty decent find there!
To answer your question there is not a “shelf life” of urethane bladders. This is one quality that makes it awesome material for air cells. We see boats come through that have original air cells in rafts from almost 25 years ago.
Now that being said, it all depends on the use and how its cared for. If it is in the UV everyday eventually you can develop issues. What you have there looks like it should last quite a long time.
Did you use Tear-Aid Type A patch for the pin hole? That’s what we use and recommend for pin hole leaks.
As for replacement air cells I believe you would need the Fat Cat 66 (ES) air cell for replacement. The valve stems would just tuck inside the zipper however as that style they generally don’t make anymore because of all the variations over the years. Thanks,
Kyle Green,
AIRE & Outcast Service Department Manager
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Not that I think I'll be needing them anytime soon, but replacement bladders that will work, while not exact replacements, are only $70 or so. Not too bad!
I'll just go ahead and post his reply here for all to see as it contains information that others may find as useful as I did.
Thanks again to all. I'll be sure to update later on as I progress. Now, where in the heck is that "Tube Dude" DVD I got last year... [
][font "Times New Roman"]Hello Randall,
Looks Looks like you got a pretty decent find there!
To answer your question there is not a “shelf life” of urethane bladders. This is one quality that makes it awesome material for air cells. We see boats come through that have original air cells in rafts from almost 25 years ago.
Now that being said, it all depends on the use and how its cared for. If it is in the UV everyday eventually you can develop issues. What you have there looks like it should last quite a long time.
Did you use Tear-Aid Type A patch for the pin hole? That’s what we use and recommend for pin hole leaks.
As for replacement air cells I believe you would need the Fat Cat 66 (ES) air cell for replacement. The valve stems would just tuck inside the zipper however as that style they generally don’t make anymore because of all the variations over the years. Thanks,
Kyle Green,
AIRE & Outcast Service Department Manager
[/font]
[signature]