I have 2 Leica rods that have 8-minute bubbles on them.
One bubble is so huge it covers almost the entire top. The other rod and bubble appear normal.
Both rods have been dry and in the tool box under the tonneau(sp?) cover of my truck for a year without use.
I have had the huge one in my heated house now for about six hours, and the bub is still huge.
Question: What makes a bubble do that? (become huge?)
> Question: What makes a bubble do that? (become huge?)
My guess is that there's a minute (as in tiny, not as in 60 seconds) leak in the vial, and that jostling or pressure changes have allowed additional air to enter.
In any case, if the bubble's really large enough to be described as "huge," the vial probably needs to be replaced to be useful.
Thanks Jim,
Yes, it must be some kind of leak.
I have seen it that way in the summer sometimes, but it usually "normalized". That's why I was surprised that after 6 hours it had not.
Better use the other rod tomorrow...
Thanks,
Steve
You could use the rod with the big bubble on those tough shots. After all, it's always going to read plumb.
We had the same problem on a Leica auto level. It mostly sat in the cabinet in the office because he had been deemed the "inferior" level. Bubble just got enormous. Took up almost the entire vial. We had the vial replaced and the level adjusted for about $100. No explanations for it. Must have been a very, very tiny leak.