Additional Buoyancy for ULCS float arms

UCLS float arms (DBB08, DB-B12 and DB-B16) are negatively buoyant or only slightly positively buoyant ( http://www.ulcs.com/chart1.html ) and of course can only marginally reduce the weight burden of heavy camera systems.

Inon are about to release their Mega Float Arm system ( http://www.inon.co.jp/cgis/news/En_html/WebNews202_En.htm ) which appears to introduce significant positive buoyancy into a camera system but will have attendant cost and travel weight implications. Yen exchange trends ($ / £ / E) are not going to make this floatation system any cheaper...

Stix supply an aftermarket foam float system which fits to ULCS lattice arms (not float arms) and their charges, through retail suppy, are $25 or $35 respectively for four small or four large floats.

I have identified a source of non-compressable and durable foam (not Divinycell) which if CNC cut into collars and push fitted over ULCS float arms would significantly improve their buoyancy charactaristics at little cost and travel weight penalty. The outside diameter of a ULCS float arm is 1.25" / 31.5mm. I envisage two sizes of collar: 70mm / 2.75" OD x 50mm / 2.0" length and 110mm / 4.35" OD x 50mm / 2.0" length. It would be nice to have a 'chamfer' on the two end floats for esthetics and ease of folding adjacent arm sections but the additional rotational cut is likely to attract excessively high production costs.

Given present £/$ exchange, I suggest that the price of the Stix aftermarket float system can be matched or bettered.

I'd be hugely grateful for Wetpixeler's feedback in order that I may make a decision with greater clarity and commit to materials and production. Thank you.

Hey Tim

I'd certainly be interested. I presume you are aiming to get below the Stix cost.

Hey Tim

 

I'd certainly be interested. I presume you are aiming to get below the Stix cost.

Yeah, me too.

If bettered on the price then yes!

R

Tim - I'm interested.

My timing continues to be perfect.

I just got my Stix large floats last week. Otherwise, I would have been interested.

I would be interested as well.

/Erik

Would be interested, depending on freight costs though.

Tested the LARGE size Stix floats today and found them to not be sufficient.

So I would be interested if available within 4 weeks. I apparently need the XL size stix units.

Here is a question for those with more experience.

Do you add enough float for neutral bouyancy? That is what I am after and 4 large stix floats was not enough.

Using G9, OEM housing, ULCS base and pair of handles, 2x(Z240 and 8" UCLS arm) plus fantasea mini on an arm.

Hi Dave,

I'd be grateful to know the dimensions (length and diameter) of the Stix floats, L and XL. Thanks, Tim

I only have the Large size stix right now.

They are a slightly rounded square with 2 inches across the thickest portion.

The thinner portion at the edges is 1.81 inches.

Length is about 1.91 inches

You get 4 to a pkg and 2 can fit on an 8 inch ULCS arm.

They have a nice fitting design. You remove an inner section, slide the rounded square onto the arm - it kind of snaps into place, then slide the inner section back in place. It keeps a tight fit once all in place.

But for my setup, its not enough lift for neutral but is definitely an improvement.

Let me know if you need more info. I may miss this thread so you might send a PM.

So what's wrong with Divinylcell besides it being PU? I make sure it isn't chafing so none of the PU gets into the sea. I also use rubber shrink wrap to seal the divinylcell in. Works great if you cut out fixed length pieces for whichever arm you want. Just use thick rubber bands to tie them down or remove them if it's too much.

Hi Tim!

I have to concur with Aussie on this one.

I would allso be interested, but freight costs might be an issue since I don't live in the states.

Regards

Scubamoose

Research Core Cell. Doesn't break down when chafed as easily as Divinycell does.

Core Cell A500 weighs 5 pounds per cubic foot resulting in @ 57 pounds of buoyancy created per cubic foot in salt water. It does not compress at recreational dive limits.

Do most of you add bouyancy until your rig is neutral?

That is what I am after but not there yet. Mine is still negative but I am not certain by how much.

for your information:

[REMOVED BY MODERATOR FOR COMMERCIALISM]

Totally interested as I am ready to add flotation.

Thanks for all your feedback chaps. There is an ideal cross linked closed cell foam out there. Its probably not Divinycell though its compression strength is excellent. Looking very closely at plastazote. The semi rigid (PK grades) seem the best. Also worth a look is the polyamide foams (NB grades). A denisty of about 45-50 kg per M3 would seem to be about right (assuming no one wants to take this to 100 metres!)

Machining collars is the major cost and there is no alternative if using sheet foam. However...

Check out extruded foam pipe insulation. Usually this is 28-30 kg per M3 density wish will compress and loose buoancy at recreational diving depths. With some persistence it is possible to find 45 kg per M3 density which is much better and cheap as chips. Look for 28 / 20 (28mm ID and 20 mm wall thickness). 28 ID provides a perfect 'grip fit' on the 30mm OD of a ULCS float arm.

This is what it looks like fitted to a float arm.

This is what it looks like fitted to a float arm.

That looks quite neat; have you tried it out yet?

R

Hi Ralph,

I'm taking them for a proper dunk at NDAC either tomorrow or Saturday. I do expect that there will be some compression and reduction of buoyancy 'at depth'. I'll probably pootle off to 40 odd metres before hunting pikey things in the shallows. I'll post my findings.