HS Explorer buttons modification

tomhanaway · 20th August 2006, 02:21

Has anyone glued small caps on top of the A and B buttons to make it easier on the finger push. I was thinking of taking a bit of delrin rod. Maybe 1/2 " wide and 1/4" deep, drill a small hole to mount on the A and B stems, and glue on.
I don't see any downside????
Tom H.

silent running · 20th August 2006, 07:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway)

Has anyone glued small caps on top of the A and B buttons to make it easier on the finger push. I was thinking of taking a bit of delrin rod. Maybe 1/2 " wide and 1/4" deep, drill a small hole to mount on the A and B stems, and glue on.
I don't see any downside????
Tom H.

Hi Tom, sounds like a decent idea. They'll be a little easier on the fingers, but I can't remember how far the rods/buttons have to travel before they register. Do they have to go all the way down, flush with the housing? Hope not. That's the only possible snag. You could ask Gene. Somewhere in the photo gallery there's a picture of some rubber button tops stuck on an HE. I'm guessing that worked, or the photo wouldn't have been put up... -Andy

Ben Field · 20th August 2006, 08:07

In my experience yes- you need to push the buttons right down and hold them there- self administered acupunture with no gloves

I placed a very thin ali plate on top of the buttons held on with a thick elastic bands, you just hold the edge of the ali down and it pushes the buttons in for you, espeacially if you have to do the full "hold till 5 count"

Great computer otherwise.

Steve · 20th August 2006, 09:37

The easiest fix to this issue that I have seen is to simply place a wide rubber band around the computer that covers the buttons. It makes them much more comfortable I'm told.

tomhanaway · 20th August 2006, 13:13

Looks like slightly more than a 1/4" of travel left with button posts ALL the way down. I'll put something together this afternoon and post the results.
Tom

mbelair · 20th August 2006, 14:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway)

Has anyone glued small caps on top of the A and B buttons to make it easier on the finger push.

Well, I tried it, using to closed end from hypodermic needle sheathes and epoxy putty.

I could feel the buttons easily and, even with numb fingers, they responded at the first try.

The caps held on for a while then fell off one after the other.

As I don't use the Explorer very often, I did not repeat the process or have tried other glues.

The buttons did work much better while it lasted.

tomhanaway · 20th August 2006, 18:12

Ok,
I'm pretty pleased with end result. Water test will be next but, at the worst, it would revert to original post if button comes off.

This one has a brass insert which should make it a little more durable.

Cut off lower portion of Clamping Knob ( product purchased at Lowe's hardware-made by Hillman- "Clamping Knob w/ Female Insert" Size 6-32. Located in the specialty fasteners section.

Drill hole in cut-off button using 1/8" drill. Approx. .192" into brass insert allows tight fit onto button. Button will still go all the way down with just the slightest bit of clearance visible. Use a little epoxy or use silicon if you want to try it out withou making it permanent.

Tom Hanaway

mbelair · 20th August 2006, 18:17

Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway)

Ok,
I'm pretty pleased with end result. Water test will be next but, at the worst, it would revert to original post if button comes off.

What about a side view of your work of ar?

Make that a clear one

PeteS · 20th August 2006, 22:40

Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway)

Has anyone glued small caps on top of the A and B buttons to make it easier on the finger push. I was thinking of taking a bit of delrin rod. Maybe 1/2 " wide and 1/4" deep, drill a small hole to mount on the A and B stems, and glue on.
I don't see any downside????
Tom H.

I've done it. Worked great. I used the head of a #10 philips screw and some epoxy resin. Just cut the head off and fill the X with epoxy and pop it on. I made a small jig to hold the cap at sufficient height to maintain button operation and to keep the button level. Make sure you don't get any resin on the shaft of the button, or you could end up trying to push hardened epoxy through the seals on the top of the shaft.

I think you could also use the heads from Hex headed bolts, or anything with a 1/8 dia hole in it.

Captain · 21st August 2006, 20:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway)

Ok,
.....

There is an error on the 2nd pix.

.
.
.
.
An HSE isn't made to work in CF3

20th August 2006, 02:21	#1 (permalink)
tomhanaway New Member Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 52	HS Explorer buttons modification Has anyone glued small caps on top of the A and B buttons to make it easier on the finger push. I was thinking of taking a bit of delrin rod. Maybe 1/2 " wide and 1/4" deep, drill a small hole to mount on the A and B stems, and glue on. I don't see any downside???? Tom H.
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20th August 2006, 07:30	#2 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,873	Re: HS Explorer buttons modification Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway) Has anyone glued small caps on top of the A and B buttons to make it easier on the finger push. I was thinking of taking a bit of delrin rod. Maybe 1/2 " wide and 1/4" deep, drill a small hole to mount on the A and B stems, and glue on. I don't see any downside???? Tom H. Hi Tom, sounds like a decent idea. They'll be a little easier on the fingers, but I can't remember how far the rods/buttons have to travel before they register. Do they have to go all the way down, flush with the housing? Hope not. That's the only possible snag. You could ask Gene. Somewhere in the photo gallery there's a picture of some rubber button tops stuck on an HE. I'm guessing that worked, or the photo wouldn't have been put up... -Andy
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20th August 2006, 08:07	#3 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,774	Re: HS Explorer buttons modification In my experience yes- you need to push the buttons right down and hold them there- self administered acupunture with no gloves I placed a very thin ali plate on top of the buttons held on with a thick elastic bands, you just hold the edge of the ali down and it pushes the buttons in for you, espeacially if you have to do the full "hold till 5 count" Great computer otherwise. __________________ Know your PPO2, Pre-breath, Use checklists, Validate cells at 6mtrs, Use pure O2 at or near surface, Use a BOV, Don't dive Solo, Change Slime and Cells as recommended by Manufacturer and RTFM! Beware Fridge Suck! www.hugsac.org.uk
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20th August 2006, 09:37	#4 (permalink)
Steve Ladies bring a plate Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Classic Kiss MK 15.X Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth - Australia Posts: 1,126	Re: HS Explorer buttons modification The easiest fix to this issue that I have seen is to simply place a wide rubber band around the computer that covers the buttons. It makes them much more comfortable I'm told. __________________ WARNING: I contain occasional coarse language, extreme sexual references, nudity, and adult themes, which may offend some people - Usually churchy types.
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20th August 2006, 13:13	#5 (permalink)
tomhanaway New Member Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 52	Re: HS Explorer buttons modification Looks like slightly more than a 1/4" of travel left with button posts ALL the way down. I'll put something together this afternoon and post the results. Tom
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20th August 2006, 18:17	#8 (permalink)
mbelair RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 83	Re: HS Explorer buttons modification Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway) Ok, I'm pretty pleased with end result. Water test will be next but, at the worst, it would revert to original post if button comes off. What about a side view of your work of ar? Make that a clear one __________________ Marc
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20th August 2006, 22:40	#9 (permalink)
PeteS Consent Issued! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 543	Re: HS Explorer buttons modification Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway) Has anyone glued small caps on top of the A and B buttons to make it easier on the finger push. I was thinking of taking a bit of delrin rod. Maybe 1/2 " wide and 1/4" deep, drill a small hole to mount on the A and B stems, and glue on. I don't see any downside???? Tom H. I've done it. Worked great. I used the head of a #10 philips screw and some epoxy resin. Just cut the head off and fill the X with epoxy and pop it on. I made a small jig to hold the cap at sufficient height to maintain button operation and to keep the button level. Make sure you don't get any resin on the shaft of the button, or you could end up trying to push hardened epoxy through the seals on the top of the shaft. I think you could also use the heads from Hex headed bolts, or anything with a 1/8 dia hole in it. __________________ Pete S. http://www.steggle.co.nz Every silver lining has a cloud
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21st August 2006, 20:36	#10 (permalink)
Captain New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: France Posts: 54	Re: HS Explorer buttons modification Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway) Ok, ..... There is an error on the 2nd pix. . . . . An HSE isn't made to work in CF3 __________________ Jérôme EHIT NPSFQQA #001
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