Filling Rib Tube with Nitrogen vs. Air

[davemon]

We're in a warm tropical (wet) location with intense tropical sun. We recently emptied the tube and re-filled with nitrogen. Like they do with tennis balls nowadays... It helps with stress on the tube as nitrogen is more dry and inert than compressed air and expands less in the hot sun.

However we still have issues with mold in the hypalon rubber; hoping the nitrogen might "starve" it. It's a little unsightly and we wonder if it's degrading the rubber...

Any thoughts on how to eliminate mold from rubber(hypalon)?

Golden Cowry,

https://profiles.google.com/101053888109376129346/about

[Cookee]

I think we need lots of photos of your location to make any further comment on your post!

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by davemon

However we still have issues with mold in the hypalon rubber; hoping the nitrogen might "starve" it. It's a little unsightly and we wonder if it's degrading the rubber...

The hypalon is the outside layer of the boat fabric. The inside is generally a layer of neoprene. You should be looking for a neoprene compatible fungicide.

If you're talking about mold growing on the outer layer (as you mentioned unsightly, and I doubt you're sticking your head in the tubes very often, especially when inflated), then what you use to fill the tubes won't make any difference, as the outside is exposed to air.


jky

[95gstnj]

I was wondering about using nitrogen as well, my tubes inflate and deflate significantly over the course of a day. 35 deg at night, and possibly 85 deg during the day. How well does the nitrogen help?

[chewy]

I wouldn't do it, if someone vents the tube and gets a lung full they could end up dead, the person who filled the tube and didn't warn them could end up getting their arse felt.

[Matt]

Do you often inhale, fully, the air from your toobs? That is a very strange fetish!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by chewy

I wouldn't do it, if someone vents the tube and gets a lung full they could end up dead, the person who filled the tube and didn't warn them could end up getting their arse felt.

A lung full of N2 wouldn't kill you, at worst you'd feel a tad faint.

[patos]

I use helium. That increase the speed about 5 knot. The boat really fly now

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by patos

I use helium. That increase the speed about 5 knot. The boat really fly now

Plus if you breathe in the entire contents of the tubes you could do an awesome Donald Duck impression

[davemon]

For Cookee,

http://www.kwajaleinscubaclub.com/
http://www.smdc.army.mil/rts.html
http://www.googleearthcoolplaces.com...rshall_islands

For jyasaki,

If you search/scan the forum way back there are many discussions about this topic but mostly in relation to which gas is more apt to "leak" out or expand. Although the inner surfaces are mostly impermeable, they aren't 100% impermeable, especially at the tube section seams. We see most of our mold problem around the seams... where there's a boundary between the rubber, the outside air and the fabric within. So, I'm not convinced by your suggestion. However, I did investigate a "moldi-cide" called Wet & Forget that gets accolades. I may try that.

For 95gstnj,

I think the Nitrogen helps quite a bit. My temperature range in the shade is 78-88F. But when the sun hits it here you could boil an egg on it. That's my main concern... I haven't gotten scientific about it - that would require me to refill with Air and make detailed measurements in varying conditions... but just using my pressure gauge and visually inspecting the bulge at the seams, I think it's an improvement. Besides, we aren't inventing this idea, many sporting goods/products are filled with nitrogen now, as well as auto tires, for this very reason. Hypalon is tough stuff, and Nitrogen isn't going to harm it.

For Chewy, Matt, Patos, Pikey Dave, Bog Monster,

We do have a tank of Helium next to the tank of Nitrogen - we save it for parties.