297 



The following is the list of equipment supplied by the U.S. Rubber Company in fulfillment 

 of and in excess of requirements: 



Quantity Item 



8 Electrically heated pressure-compensated wet suits 



5 Extra mitts 



3 Extra boots 

 8 Snag- suits 



8 2-in. nylon belts with web buckles 



4 12-volt silver-zinc batteries (32 cells), watertight 

 electrical connectors, pressure-compensated 



32 Cell pouches for silver-zinc cells 



4 Extra cell pouches 



4 12 volt dc power-control boxes with battery cable 

 assemblies and cell jumpers 



4 Extra cell jumpers 



4 AC power control boxes 



4 Power cables, 118-1/2 ft long. Cannon and Electro- 

 Oceanic s fittings 



25 Manuals, aquanaut Suit (Mark I, Mod. I) 



8 Zippered bags for suit storage 



8 Talc bags for dusting rubber parts 



1 Two- suit purging manifold 



1 Rubber repair kit 



1 Battery maintenance kit 



1 Fabric repair kit 



1 Power-control maintenance kit 



Silver-Zinc Cells 



The pressure-compensation fitting at the top of each silver-zinc cell had originally been 

 made of stainless steel. Salt-water immersion tests indicated a leakage current of 0.4 ampere 

 across eight cells (about 12 volts). Coating the steel with silicone grease or petroleum jelly 

 was attempted but did not solve the problem adequately. The fittings were remade using nylon. 



The O-Ring seal around the rubber bladder was introduced after Ty-wraps failed to pro- 

 vide a good seal. This seal was important, as the electrolyte (potassium hydroxide) is a strong 

 caustic and is therefore hazardous. 



The cells were fabricated by the Yardney Electric Company for the U. S. Rubber Company. 



Power Controls 



Time did not permit development of the power-control boxes. They were designed and 

 fabricated at the Research Center. Water leaks were experienced due to hairline cracks in the 

 heliarc weldments of the aluminum parts. These were repaired by filling them with epoxy 



