Hi James,

I do know that even ~ 10 years ago; that even the USGS had great
difficulties obtaining the thermal pens (because of the high Geotech
price they wanted or unavailablility?); they then resorted to their own
"homebrew" versions.  I don't know the specific resistance wire they used;
but a clue could be found by measuring your present thermal wire, in
relation to the power source you have and doing some research.
They literally heat unwrapped or cut off the old wire, and rewrapped
welded/soldered the new resistance wire on the pen shaft/boom
insulators...it was delicate, wire expensive and time and tool intensive
stuff to do.

The same surplus junk possiblity applies...I've some (? brand) thermal
pens....if all else fails...they are
a lot more long term reliable and easier to maintain. Good luck; in the best
sense/meaning.  Alas...my surplus guarantee is....10 foot travel/shipping
time or 10 seconds whichever comes first...humor.  I'am not
in the surplus or commercial selling business.

Take care, Meredith Lamb





On Sat, Oct 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM, James Allen  wrote:

>  Thanks Al and Meredith regarding sourcing ink writing stylus for
> helicorder.  I guess I will stick with the thermal stylus that is on the
> unit for the time being and contact Geotech and see if I can afford an exact
> replacement.
> James Allen
>
>
>
>
Hi James,
=A0
I do know that even ~ 10 years ago; that even the USGS had great diffi=
culties obtaining the thermal pens (because of the high Geotech price=A0the=
y wanted=A0or unavailablility?); they then resorted to their own "home=
brew" versions.=A0 I don't know the specific resistance wire they =
used; but a clue could be found by measuring your present thermal wire, in =
relation to the power source you have and doing some research.

They literally heat unwrapped or cut off the old wire, and rewrapped w=
elded/soldered the new resistance wire on the pen shaft/boom insulators...i=
t was delicate, wire expensive=A0and time and tool intensive stuff to do.

=A0
The same surplus junk possiblity applies...I've some (? brand) the=
rmal pens....if all else fails...they are
a lot more long term reliable and easier to maintain.=A0Good luck; in =
the best sense/meaning.=A0=A0Alas...my surplus guarantee is....10 foot trav=
el/shipping time or 10 seconds whichever comes first...humor.=A0 I'am n=
ot

in the surplus or commercial selling business.
=A0
Take care,=A0Meredith Lamb=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0=A0=A0


On Sat, Oct 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM, James Allen <jcallen1@...........> wrote:



Thanks Al and Meredith regarding sourc=
ing ink writing stylus for helicorder.=A0 I guess I will stick with the the=
rmal stylus that is on the unit for the time being and contact Geotech and =
see if I can afford an exact replacement.

James Allen


=A0