Re: SEA HUNT FOREVER 2019 - RETURN TO FLORIDA'S SILVER SPRINGS
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:57 am
My Sea Hunt Forever Tanks are Ready...
- The hero of the Sea Hunt TV show, Mike Nelson, used single 72s, double 72s, and triple 44s... But he eventually settled on Twin 38s and that's the way I always remember him when I watched Sea Hunt back in the early 60s. My favorites were the round bottom tanks. AND I was fortunate to pick up an old set in deceptively good condition about 5 years ago (Sea Hunt Jerry told me, "You gotta Buy These Hog Tanks!") They looked like heck with rusty tank bands and dirty harness. I offered the guy $50 and he said "Cash?" So I took them home.
- They definitely were military surplus with the "USN Shatterproof" markings and 1940s dating. But to my happy surprise, the insides were literally rust free and the outside had been galvanized. The manifold was in good shape, too. After they passed the hydrotest, I cleaned them up, re-painted with Galvalite 96% zinc paint, and re-assembled them as you see here. (Harness by Allan is faded from 5 years of heavy use).
- My Recent Hydrotest required taking it all apart again. Insides are still pristine and passed hydro fine. But last night when I re-assembled the manifold, I had a leak on the reserve side. When the ball joints are clean, they usually seal just fine. So, I suspected the O-ring in the J-Valve. And sure enough, when I opened the J-valve up, the O-ring had extruded, hardened, and cracked... No wonder it leaked. At the same time, I discovered the J-valve spring was broken in the middle. So, in addition to replacing the O-ring, I replaced the spring as well as the seat (Thanks Captain) . So now, the J-valve should work like new... I just need to test it to be sure.
- This time re-assembly went without a hitch... No leaks. They look a little dirty and scratched up right now. I've thought of re-painting them but they may actually be more authentic this way. Anyway, my Sea Hunt Forever Tanks are ready for the show!
- The hero of the Sea Hunt TV show, Mike Nelson, used single 72s, double 72s, and triple 44s... But he eventually settled on Twin 38s and that's the way I always remember him when I watched Sea Hunt back in the early 60s. My favorites were the round bottom tanks. AND I was fortunate to pick up an old set in deceptively good condition about 5 years ago (Sea Hunt Jerry told me, "You gotta Buy These Hog Tanks!") They looked like heck with rusty tank bands and dirty harness. I offered the guy $50 and he said "Cash?" So I took them home.
- They definitely were military surplus with the "USN Shatterproof" markings and 1940s dating. But to my happy surprise, the insides were literally rust free and the outside had been galvanized. The manifold was in good shape, too. After they passed the hydrotest, I cleaned them up, re-painted with Galvalite 96% zinc paint, and re-assembled them as you see here. (Harness by Allan is faded from 5 years of heavy use).
- My Recent Hydrotest required taking it all apart again. Insides are still pristine and passed hydro fine. But last night when I re-assembled the manifold, I had a leak on the reserve side. When the ball joints are clean, they usually seal just fine. So, I suspected the O-ring in the J-Valve. And sure enough, when I opened the J-valve up, the O-ring had extruded, hardened, and cracked... No wonder it leaked. At the same time, I discovered the J-valve spring was broken in the middle. So, in addition to replacing the O-ring, I replaced the spring as well as the seat (Thanks Captain) . So now, the J-valve should work like new... I just need to test it to be sure.
- This time re-assembly went without a hitch... No leaks. They look a little dirty and scratched up right now. I've thought of re-painting them but they may actually be more authentic this way. Anyway, my Sea Hunt Forever Tanks are ready for the show!