texascavers Digest 15 Jun 2011 15:38:23 -0000 Issue 1336 Topics (messages 18051 through 18060):
Re: Headlamp question
18051 by: Dale Barnard
18052 by: Don Cooper
18054 by: caverarch
18055 by: Tim Stich
18056 by: caverarch
18058 by: Mark Minton
Re: There's a black woman inside this kid.
18053 by: Fritz Holt
protecting caving lights from water
18057 by: Rod Goke
GHG Meeting: Lechuguilla Talk
18059 by: caverarch
The 2nd Quarter 2011 TEXAS CAVER Is Now Online, but, ...
18060 by: Mark.Alman.L-3com.com
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--- Begin Message ---I've used the Apex for a while. The first time I used it in Longhorn Caverns, the electronics went wacky, and drying it at home didn't help. Got a replacement, of course, but I shouldn't have had to. I'm tired of Princeton Tec. Probably sent 10 lights back to them over the years. A good warranty is nice, but reliability is nicer. Dale On Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 11:53 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: > *I've sent an Apex & a Yukon both back. I went to their web site and > emailed from there. They sent me a return number. I sent them in and had new > lights in less than a month.* > > *Steve* > *across the creek in KY** > > I GoodSearch for American Cave Conservation Association. Raise money for > your favorite charity or school just by searching the Internet with > GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo! > http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=908162<http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=842245> > * > > Take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time, leave nothing but > footprints > > In a message dated 6/14/2011 12:41:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > [email protected] writes: > > I’m in love with the Scurion, Mallory, since Bill Steele so generously > let me borrow Michael Cicherski’s at Jester Cave earlier this year. > > > > But, alas, I don’t have $700 laying around for one. > > > > Talk about a nice, rugged light! > > > > I have the Princeton Apex Tec, as well as having bought three for my kids. > > > > We’ve had good luck, for the most part, but mine did start acting up where > I couldn’t turn it off. I took out the batteries, and put them back in. Now > it won’t come on. > > > > I have sent them an email on getting it repaired (they have a lifetime > warranty), but haven’t heard back. > > > > > > Suggestions? > > > > > > Mark > > > > > > *From:* Mallory Mayeux [mailto:[email protected]] > *Sent:* Tuesday, June 14, 2011 11:35 AM > *To:* caverarch > *Cc:* [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; > [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question > > > > Thanks everyone! It's nice to see lively discussion on Cavetex...it's been > eerily quiet since David left. > > > I currently have a Princeton Apex Tec, which is nice, especially for the > price, but I think it's time for a brighter light. Roger Moore has very > generously offered to loan me his new Sten until I upgrade, but I wanted to > start getting opinions because discussing gear is so fun. :) I've seen > several cavers with the Duo, so thanks for the insight. Waterproof is > important for me, since I don't want to have to switch out lights between > water and dry caves. > > > > I think my current plan is to go ahead and save up for a Sten, unless I see > a Petzl Duo on some sort of super-sale somewhere. > > > > -Mallory > > -- My technical blog: http://dalebarnardonwpf.wordpress.com/
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--- Begin Message ---I bought my Duo thinking it was waterproof - it is not. It does has seals, so at least it tries to be waterproof - perhaps with enough silicon grease it would be. At least when water got in to the head, nothing was really affected as there's no "electronics" in it. -WaV On Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 11:35 AM, Mallory Mayeux <[email protected]> wrote: > Thanks everyone! It's nice to see lively discussion on Cavetex...it's been > eerily quiet since David left. > > I currently have a Princeton Apex Tec, which is nice, especially for the > price, but I think it's time for a brighter light. Roger Moore has very > generously offered to loan me his new Sten until I upgrade, but I wanted to > start getting opinions because discussing gear is so fun. :) I've seen > several cavers with the Duo, so thanks for the insight. Waterproof is > important for me, since I don't want to have to switch out lights between > water and dry caves. > > I think my current plan is to go ahead and save up for a Sten, unless I see > a Petzl Duo on some sort of super-sale somewhere. > > -Mallory >
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--- Begin Message ---I agree on the great thread that has been going on this topoc. But you can also borrow my FX-2, Mal, of the type Stefan likes. It's fresh out of the box and untried like the Sten. I bet it even still has some traces of NM cave mud since it hasn't been underground since before decon started. Roger -----Original Message----- From: Mallory Mayeux <[email protected]> To: caverarch <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Tue, Jun 14, 2011 11:35 am Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question Thanks everyone! It's nice to see lively discussion on Cavetex...it's been eerily quiet since David left. I currently have a Princeton Apex Tec, which is nice, especially for the price, but I think it's time for a brighter light. Roger Moore has very generously offered to loan me his new Sten until I upgrade, but I wanted to start getting opinions because discussing gear is so fun. :) I've seen several cavers with the Duo, so thanks for the insight. Waterproof is important for me, since I don't want to have to switch out lights between water and dry caves. I think my current plan is to go ahead and save up for a Sten, unless I see a Petzl Duo on some sort of super-sale somewhere. -Mallory
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--- Begin Message ---You still need to coat the batter compartment of a waterproof light with grease since it will get moisture in there anyway, and that's enough for corrosion to start. Petroleum jelly works fine. No need for fancy grease. On Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 11:15 AM, Don Cooper <[email protected]> wrote: > I bought my Duo thinking it was waterproof - it is not. > It does has seals, so at least it tries to be waterproof - perhaps with > enough silicon grease it would be. > At least when water got in to the head, nothing was really affected as > there's no "electronics" in it. > > -WaV > > > On Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 11:35 AM, Mallory Mayeux <[email protected]>wrote: > >> Thanks everyone! It's nice to see lively discussion on Cavetex...it's been >> eerily quiet since David left. >> >> I currently have a Princeton Apex Tec, which is nice, especially for the >> price, but I think it's time for a brighter light. Roger Moore has very >> generously offered to loan me his new Sten until I upgrade, but I wanted to >> start getting opinions because discussing gear is so fun. :) I've seen >> several cavers with the Duo, so thanks for the insight. Waterproof is >> important for me, since I don't want to have to switch out lights between >> water and dry caves. >> >> I think my current plan is to go ahead and save up for a Sten, unless I >> see a Petzl Duo on some sort of super-sale somewhere. >> >> -Mallory >> > >
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--- Begin Message ---I meant to say that the FX-2 is NOT fresh out, of the box. Just that, like me, it hasn't been in any tough caves in a decade or so! Roger -----Original Message----- From: caverarch <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Tue, Jun 14, 2011 12:47 pm Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question I agree on the great thread that has been going on this topoc. But you can also borrow my FX-2, Mal, of the type Stefan likes. It's fresh out of the box and untried like the Sten. I bet it even still has some traces of NM cave mud since it hasn't been underground since before decon started. Roger -----Original Message----- From: Mallory Mayeux <[email protected]> To: caverarch <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Tue, Jun 14, 2011 11:35 am Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question Thanks everyone! It's nice to see lively discussion on Cavetex...it's been eerily quiet since David left. I currently have a Princeton Apex Tec, which is nice, especially for the price, but I think it's time for a brighter light. Roger Moore has very generously offered to loan me his new Sten until I upgrade, but I wanted to start getting opinions because discussing gear is so fun. :) I've seen several cavers with the Duo, so thanks for the insight. Waterproof is important for me, since I don't want to have to switch out lights between water and dry caves. I think my current plan is to go ahead and save up for a Sten, unless I see a Petzl Duo on some sort of super-sale somewhere. -Mallory
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--- Begin Message ---Don,Any type of silicone grease will likely work for any application requiring waterproofing. I think they're all waterproof by nature. As far as I know, no silicone grease will actually conduct electricity. Rather, they just do not hinder it.Mark At 01:09 PM 6/14/2011, Don Cooper wrote:Can the same grease be used on silicone o-rings and seals? (ie. things not necessarily needing to conduct electricity) -WaV On Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 12:28 PM, Bill Bentley <[email protected]> wrote: Do I need to bring free tubes of Dialectirc Silicone Grease to TCR? ----- Original Message ----- tFrom: Andy Gluesenkamp To: Mark Minton ; [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 7:25 AM Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp questionI second everything that Mark said below about the StenLight. A dab of dielectric grease on the connector seems to do the trick. Exceptional customer service. They sent me a waterproof battery pack at one point but the thing is pretty bulky compared to the standard pack and won't stay on the helmet using the velcro they provide. I just strap it down like every other battery pack.Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D. 700 Billie Brooks Drive Driftwood, Texas 78619 (512) 799-1095 [email protected]Please reply to [email protected]Permanent email address is [email protected]
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--- Begin Message ---Definitely off topic but one of the most amazing performances you will ever see considering the age of this kid. Fritz ________________________________ This kid really IS amazing. I wasn't wild about the choice of song but it was very demanding and was done perfectly and spectacularly. Jackie WOW========= If you watch nothing else today, WATCH THIS!!!! http://youtu.be/QxoRh1c0Ug8 If you haven't seen this, you should. To quote one of the judges in a later performance, there's a black woman living inside of him. B- ________________________________ ________________________________ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com<http://www.avg.com> Version: 10.0.1375 / Virus Database: 1513/3691 - Release Date: 06/09/11
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Silicone grease is good for coating O-rings and similar rubber seals to make sure that they are water tight. It is sold for this purpose in most SCUBA diving shops. When applying this, it is extremely important to keep the seals and the surfaces they contact free from any dirt, sand, or other particles. Small particles easily can stick to the grease and it only takes one small particle in the wrong place between an O-ring and a surface to prevent the seal from being truly water tight. Silicone grease generally is better than petroleum jelly for this purpose, because it will not harm most rubber seals or plastic parts. Some petroleum based greases or jellies might adversely affect some materials.
For protecting interior metal parts from corrosion inside a lamp head or battery box, I normally prefer silicone spray lubricant in aerosol cans, since it is easy to apply and tends to reach and protect places that are impractical to reach with grease. It is also is less messy than grease or jelly and is less likely to interfere if you have to make any repairs, especially when the repairs involves soldering wires. Sometimes I've used silicone spray lubricant, and sometimes I've used a somewhat different spray called "electrical grade 2-26" by CRC Industries, which seems to serve the same purpose. I believe that 2-26 is an older petroleum based product intended for similar use on electrical equipment.
Back when I was caving more frequently and often used electric headlamps in Honey Creek and other wet caves, my standard practice was to spray the interior of my headlamp with a light coating of silicone spray before going to the cave. Then after returning from the cave, I'd open the lamp to check for any water leakage. If any water was found, I'd clean it out with a paper towel, leave the lamp open long enough for any remaining moisture to evaporate, and then respray the interior with a light coat of silicone before closing the lamp. I found that this practice worked quite well for preventing corrosion and maintaining reliable operation, both for lamps with allegedly waterproof seals and for lamps without seals.
I generally found that O-rings and similar seals really were quite effective when kept clean and coated with a light coating of silicone grease. I had some waterproof flashlights which I sometimes carried as secondary light sources and found that when properly maintained, their seals usually did remain water tight, even when the lights were carried submerged several hours at a time during Honey Creek through trips.
If the exterior of an O-ring sealed lamp gets muddy or dirty during a caving trip, it generally is a good idea to clean it as thoroughly as you can BEFORE opening the seal. Otherwise, it's easy for dirt to get inside the lamp, where it can mix with any silicone grease or lubricant and become much more difficult to clean out than it would have been to simply clean the lamp before opening.
Rod
-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Stich
Sent: Jun 14, 2011 12:49 PM
To: Don Cooper
Cc: Mallory Mayeux , "Cavers, Texas"
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question
You still need to coat the batter compartment of a waterproof light with
grease since it will get moisture in there anyway, and that's enough for
corrosion to start. Petroleum jelly works fine. No need for fancy grease.
On Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 11:15 AM, Don Cooper wrote:
> I bought my Duo thinking it was waterproof - it is not.
> It does has seals, so at least it tries to be waterproof - perhaps with
> enough silicon grease it would be.
> At least when water got in to the head, nothing was really affected as
> there's no "electronics" in it.
>
> -WaV
>
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--- Begin Message ---The Greater Houston Grotto is pleased to announce that Vivian Loftin will discuss her most recent trip into the legendary Lechuguilla Cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park at the next GHG meeting. Ms. Loftin describes the expedition as follows: Deep Void. Sulfur deposits. This April 30-May 6, 2011 cave microbiologist and Lechuguilla cartographer, Dr. Hazel Barton led a six-person survey and exploration expedition focusing on The Void area of the Southwestern Branch of Lechuguilla Cave. Much of the area was explored in the late 80's during a time of much exhuberence characterized by 70 person tag-team expeditions, loose survey standards, and heavy peer pressure to come out of the cave with lots of footage. A lot of the survey data and notes produced during this time are essentially unusable. So much of our week's work consisted of resurveying and tying various surveys to each other so that Hazel could actually make sense of it all enough to create a map. We did also find a bit of virgin cave while we were at it. Our haul for the week: 6825 feet of survey, 1,398 feet of which was new, and one delightful little 7 verse song. The meeting will be on Tuesday, June 21, at 7:30 at the Texas Rock Gym at 1526 Campbell Road (north of IH10 in West Houston). Dinner with the speaker will be at a location announced before the meeting. For questions please e-mail Roger Moore at [email protected].
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--- Begin Message ---You must be a paid TSA member to enjoy online reading of this literary masterpiece! In other words: No Pay, No View Some of you may have received an email indicating your dues have expired. If so, you won't be able to access the Members Area of the website until your dues are current. We have recently done some housekeeping and notified all affected of the change. When your dues have been paid, please give me a shout and you'll be reinstated with full honors and privileges! Here are the insanely cheap rates listed below: * Single Membership - $15.00 - Newsletter Online * Single Membership - $25.00 - Newsletter Mailed * Family Membership - $20.00 - Newsletter Online * Family Membership - $30.00 - Newsletter Mailed * Student Membership - $10.00 - Newsletter Online * Student Membership - $20.00 - Newsletter Mailed Please go to www.cavetexas.org <http://www.cavetexas.org> to renew your dues or to become a new member! With that bit of unpleasantness out of the way, this latest issue is a photographers delight! Our own Wizard of the Web, Butch Fralia, has posted the latest issue of The TEXAS CAVER to the Members Area. In this issue, you'll find a great cover photo by Travis Scott, as well as an excellent trip report from him and his Google techniques of locating caves. Superb photos from the TSA Spring Convention in Bracketteville in FULL color by Chris Vreeland and David Ochel. Michael Harris' award winning photo compliments the back page of this issue. We also have a very enjoyable and informative Spring Creek Cave trip report from Bill Steele, as well as a TEXAS CAVER first, as far as I know: A poem from Bill concerning a past trip to Mexico and our own Ellie Thoene's unfortunate encounter with a mule. Finally, some delightful trip reports from Punkin and Deep Caves, and the Colorado Bend State Park Project from the TSA's own Project Poobah, Jim "Crash" Kennedy. If you're a TSA member, but haven't yet joined the Digital Revolution, it is extremely painless to do so. Go to http://www.cavetexas.org/members/ <http://www.cavetexas.org/members/> and sign up and enjoy this issue and all four past "Members Only" issues. Please remember to select how you want your TC: mail or digital. Issues older than one year are FREE for you, the inquiring caver, to peruse at your leisure and, hopefully, will encourage you to join the TSA. You can still opt to receive the TC in the mail and be able to view the issues online. Not a TSA member? We still would like for you to contemplate becoming a TSA member. Send me an email for your complimentary TEXAS CAVER and see what you've been missing. Or, you can visit the TSA website at www.cavetexas.org <http://www.cavetexas.org> and become a paid member and/or become an online member of the TSA. Become a member yourself, or, sign up that special someone as a new or renewal member for Paid members now have access to a total of 31 issues available for your reading pleasure! Those contemplating membership can now view 25 issues online! On a more serious note (Guilt mode on): This issue came very close to not being put out or, at least, being issued in a very stripped down form, because I HAD NO SUBMISSIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can thank Bill, Travis, and Jim for pulling my fat out of the fire and insuring adequate content for this issue. What is truly sad is the fact that there are a LOT of trips going on, some posted here and others commented on Facebook, as well as some excellent speakers at the UT and Bexar Grotto meetings that I would love to receive articles from and to publish! I realize in this tweeting generation that a lot of folks can't be bothered or feel they aren't up to the task of writing a lengthy trip report. Worried that you're not a very good writer or have never submitted one? Not to worry! I barely write at a 3rd grade level and y'all have no problem reading/enduring my posts! It's been a VERY busy spring caving-wise in Texas, so I know there are a lot of other trips that have gone on and this is a great opportunity for you to see YOUR name in print, so get busy! I always NEED material for the next issue and can ALWAYS use whatever you send me! I love getting articles, but, especially enjoy reports from TC virgins. You have a couple of months now till the next issue. So that should be plenty of time to put your thoughts down. So, get busy, enjoy the A/C, and drink a cool one while you submit that report that we all enjoy hearing about. If you happen to be an Armchair Caver, no problem. It's been months since I have received any submissions for "The Carbide Caver" section of the newsletter and we would all love to hear a humorous or exciting or memorable or, potentially, libelous recollection from one of your past trips, documented for all to read from the depths of your memory! Sorry to be such a downer and nag and laying a guilt trip on y'all, but I need material! Thanks to all who have helped me out in this issue and past issues. Now, get your other fellow cavers involved! Thanks for your support of the TC, the TSA, and making Texas the great Center of the Caving Universe. Have a safe and enjoyable summer! Mark Alman - TSA Chairman and TEXAS CAVER Editor
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