I have several 2 meter rods that I use for static GPS at least once a week. When I pulled them out yesterday, the level bubble had doubled in size and was basically the size of the whole glass. I have never seen this happen. Is there a way to fix this?
Get a new bubble. sounds like some of the fluid leaked out or something. I have a couple old ones laying around here that look like that. I wouldn't trust them.
I bought some 8 minute bubbles a couple months ago from http://www.baselineequipment.com/
They are an advertiser on Surveyor Connect and at the recommendation of my buddy Scott Freshwaters, I purchased from them. Search on the site or just call Jim at Baseline.
http://www.baselineequipment.com/vial-and-vial-assembly-replacements
What the manufacturers don't publish is the hole spacing dimension; that would be especially helpful when trying to fit 'their' bubbles to 'your' poles. I had to improvise by drilling new holes in my bubble holder on my pole to make the new bubble fit, and also shorten up the screws a little.
> What the manufacturers don't publish is the hole spacing dimension; that would be especially helpful when trying to fit 'their' bubbles to 'your' poles.
I'm pretty sure that when I've swapped out SECO bubbles on SECO poles, the hole patterns were identical. When buying a pole, checking to see if the manufacturer offers different bubbles with different sensitivities for it is always a good idea.
> When buying a pole, checking to see if the manufacturer offers different bubbles with different sensitivities for it is always a good idea.
Yes, good idea. Two of the four prism poles I have are probably 20+ years old, still good shape, rugged and reliable. Those are the two I bought replacement bubbles for. I really have no idea what brand they are and because I wanted more sensitive (8 minute instead of what I think were 40 minute vials) replacements, I knew that getting any replacement to fit might take a bit of work. Which is why, if the hole spacing was published/available, I may have chosen a different replacement instead of the ones I ordered.
I did consider this source with the thought of removing the existing vials and gluing on the new ones, then the mounting problem would not have been an issue.
http://www.geier-bluhm.com/index.php?cPath=59_40