Power inflater servicing?

[Dieseler]

My power inflater decided to free flow on me today. Buttons don't appear to be sticking, it just wasn't sealing shut when released.

I've got it soaking in some vinegar water right now, but as far as disassembly and cleaning. Anyone have suggestions?

[awap]

Some o-rings and their lubricants don't do well in acid (vinegar). So you are probably committed to a full service. Depending on the brand inflator, the leak is probably a bad schradder valve (or LP seat if Scubapro). Now you will also need to deal with any other o-rings like on the button stems and the manual inflate/deflate valve.

[freeski4ever]

What type of BC do you have? Sometimes the repairs are pretty simple and only require minor work. It could possibly be the spring in the power inflater assembly that is worn out. Without more information, it is too hard to tell.

[Dieseler]

Originally Posted by freeski4ever

What type of BC do you have? Sometimes the repairs are pretty simple and only require minor work. It could possibly be the spring in the power inflater assembly that is worn out. Without more information, it is too hard to tell.

It's most likely a DiveRite. Looks like I need a special wrench to unscrew stuff though.

[awap]

Originally Posted by Dieseler

It's most likely a DiveRite. Looks like I need a special wrench to unscrew stuff though.

I have opened up my DR inflators without the special tool. Long nose bent pliers will do the job nicely. I have even used a small screw driver and tapped it to unscrew that fitting. Some inflators have a schradder valve right under the button which makes replacement easy. Not so on my DR inflators. Unscrewing that device allows you to remove the inflator assembly which I have never (yet) had reason to further disassemble. But the inner end of the assemble has a nut that must open up access to whatever is inside. I'm assuming that it may be a seating mechanism similar to a scubapro inflator but it may well just be a complex assembly around a schrader valve. You should also notice that your deflate / maunual inflate mechanism is also disassembled by unscrewing the hex nut accessed from the corrugated hose end of the inflator.

[Dieseler]

Originally Posted by awap

I have opened up my DR inflators without the special tool. Long nose bent pliers will do the job nicely. I have even used a small screw driver and tapped it to unscrew that fitting. Some inflators have a schradder valve right under the button which makes replacement easy. Not so on my DR inflators. Unscrewing that device allows you to remove the inflator assembly which I have never (yet) had reason to further disassemble. But the inner end of the assemble has a nut that must open up access to whatever is inside. I'm assuming that it may be a seating mechanism similar to a scubapro inflator but it may well just be a complex assembly around a schrader valve. You should also notice that your deflate / maunual inflate mechanism is also disassembled by unscrewing the hex nut accessed from the corrugated hose end of the inflator.

Some needle nose were the first thing I tried, but things were a bit tighter than could be done with pliers. However, you made me think of some tubing I had laying in the corner... a couple of minutes with a grinder and voila! Custom wrench! Now to finish disassembly and cleaning....

[comet24]

If you don't know what your doing have it serviced by someone who know what they are doing. A stuck power inflater can become very dangerous.

I had a retail one stick I was using in a pool for an OW class and by the time I knew what was happening I was on my way up.

[Dieseler]

Originally Posted by comet24

If you don't know what your doing have it serviced by someone who know what they are doing. A stuck power inflater can become very dangerous.

I had a retail one stick I was using in a pool for an OW class and by the time I knew what was happening I was on my way up.

Well, since it already free-flowed during a dive on me... there isn't much worse I can do to it. Besides, how do you get to know what you're doing if you don't do it?

I made a wrench from some tubing I had laying in the garage and got everything taken apart, inspected, cleaned, lubed and put back together. Hooked it up and everything worked great for the first few trys, then it decided to free flow again. So, I'll strip it back down and get some new Orings and try again!

[awap]

Originally Posted by Dieseler

Well, since it already free-flowed during a dive on me... there isn't much worse I can do to it. Besides, how do you get to know what you're doing if you don't do it?

I made a wrench from some tubing I had laying in the garage and got everything taken apart, inspected, cleaned, lubed and put back together. Hooked it up and everything worked great for the first few trys, then it decided to free flow again. So, I'll strip it back down and get some new Orings and try again!

OK. This discussion motivated me to take my dremmel tool and turn a 17mm socket into an inflator tool. Works fine.

So what did you find inside that power inflator assembly?

[Bryanmc]

Originally Posted by awap

OK. This discussion motivated me to take my dremmel tool and turn a 17mm socket into an inflator tool. Works fine.

Or for $8.50 you could have the tool made for the job.... Probably cost that much for the dremel burr you're going to chew up.

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