Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:58 am
The following protocol is what is used here at iSoaker.com to store soakers for the winter. This procedure is a little different than what is used for really long-term storage which is done only for soakers that will not be used for many years. A description of the other storage protocol will be written up in due time.
For soakers being stored for longer than 1 week without intended use, various things are done to ensure the soaker will be in good working order when being used again.
The soaker is first depressurized, emptied of any water in its reservoir, and left with its nozzle angled downwards on a shelf with the reservoir open. For pressurized reservoir blasters, the reservoir is checked after a day and drained of any residual water that may have pooled on the bottom.
For blasters with separate firing chambers, after a day, the blaster is first air-pumped and fired without significantly changing the downward angle of the nozzle in attempt to drain out water from the internal tubings. The blaster is then tipped to empty the reservoir of any pooled water within. While the blaster is upsidedown, it is pumped a few more times and fired to help drain water from within the pump shaft.
This draining process is repeated for at least 2 or 3 more days until no water is seen being shot from the nozzle.
Once the blaster appears dry, the reservoir is closed (but not tightly). Blasters are stored in a cool, dark place that is clearer of dust and dirt (often in plastic storage boxes). Storing inside containers also reduces the chance of having bugs entering any part of the internals.
During winter storage, blasters are checked after a couple of weeks of storage and dry-shot a couple of times since, despite previous efforts, there always tends to be a little remaining water within the internals.
The less water left trapped in the blaster, the less likely one will have problems with mold/mildew growth gumming up the internals.
For soakers being stored for longer than 1 week without intended use, various things are done to ensure the soaker will be in good working order when being used again.
The soaker is first depressurized, emptied of any water in its reservoir, and left with its nozzle angled downwards on a shelf with the reservoir open. For pressurized reservoir blasters, the reservoir is checked after a day and drained of any residual water that may have pooled on the bottom.
For blasters with separate firing chambers, after a day, the blaster is first air-pumped and fired without significantly changing the downward angle of the nozzle in attempt to drain out water from the internal tubings. The blaster is then tipped to empty the reservoir of any pooled water within. While the blaster is upsidedown, it is pumped a few more times and fired to help drain water from within the pump shaft.
This draining process is repeated for at least 2 or 3 more days until no water is seen being shot from the nozzle.
Once the blaster appears dry, the reservoir is closed (but not tightly). Blasters are stored in a cool, dark place that is clearer of dust and dirt (often in plastic storage boxes). Storing inside containers also reduces the chance of having bugs entering any part of the internals.
During winter storage, blasters are checked after a couple of weeks of storage and dry-shot a couple of times since, despite previous efforts, there always tends to be a little remaining water within the internals.
The less water left trapped in the blaster, the less likely one will have problems with mold/mildew growth gumming up the internals.
