March 19, 2023 - Water and Windows

 Back on projects today...

I started the day working on the portlight above the navigation station.  It developed a drip last year, so i want it fixed for the trip.  It was a slow process getting it apart.   It was improperly bedded on both sides with adhesive caulk.  I had to gradually break the seal with putty knife and sharp picks.  I'll clean up the frame, then seal it with butyl tape on the outside only.  Butyl lasts years and stays pliant,  though it can be a little messy to work with.  Caulking on the outside is best as this is the where the water would come from and caulking both sides just serves to trap water where you don’t want it.   Best to see a leak early and fix it than to have water trapped in the deck.  I will install a new lens too.  The old one is crazed and you really can't see through it well.

Turning my attention to the leaky main water tank, I sprayed the inside down as best i could to clean it out, then drained and vacuumed the residual water out.  I did find some o-rings to try using as gaskets.  It is different to determine if they will work, but I'll give it a try. 

Later...  No, the o-ring did not seal...  I'll try another approach later.

Comments

  1. RickMarch 22, 2023 at 6:19 AM

    Didn't an o-ring fail on the space shuttle too? I'm glad you aren't using them. ; )

    ReplyDelete

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