Well tried it out over the weekend in the pool.
Patched up what I chipped away at the Gunnite for material to suck up.
Overall it did well but learned a few things on the first test.
1 - I need a thicker wet suit. Dang cold in the pool. And snow melt ain't any warmer.
2 - the plunger material is to hard of a durometer.
With the ABS pipe having an uneven inner surface, the colder it got, the harder the plunger rubber got and was for the rubber gasket to keep a tight seal thought out the whole stroke, yet still keep smooth seal along that irregular inner surface of the pipe.
I could bore the cylinder smooth I guess.... I don't have time.
No lubes or grease, cuz that will thicken with colder temps and collect dirt.
So I found this EVA foam sheet about a 1/2 thick.
Closed cell foam but durable.
Traced the existing rubber plunger O.D. and I.D. and cut out 2 pieces.
Placed the 2 pieces together - replacing the hard rubber gasket and it seems to work REAL well.
Nice smooth stroke while creating great suction at the feeder tip even dry out of water.
I might glue the two pieces together first before testing.
Curious to see how it holds up to the gravel and grit on every stroke.
Trying to think of a good classifier nose piece that could be installed at the at the feeder tip.
That does not restrict access to tight spots but keeps those pesky ones that seem to lodge in the nozzle.
maybe a semi conical tip with slots at certain widths?
Anyone done that or seen something good already?
Other than that, it picked up pretty good.
The material catch can worked well too.
Looking forward to using it in the field soon.
Gonna hit the local consignment sports store and see what he has for used thick wet suits.
Cheers
G
