Help - My Hose is too Short !!

[CPTOZZY]

I just got a Mach V from Scubatoys, and I just finished (minutes ago) setting up and adjusting my wing on my BP and adjusting the Harness, and configuring it the way I want (I think).
Tomorrow I am heading to the Keys for a week or two of diving, and this will be my first dives with a BP/W.

So far my only complaint with the Oxycheq I got from ST is that the corrugated inflator hose is only 12" - which is much too short for me (6' 2"). I have 16" corrugated hose on my jacket BC which is much better - although I wouldn't mind 17-18".

What is involved in replacing the corrugated hose? it looks like it is just secured with zip-ties.

Would I be able to find and replace the corrugated hose once I get to the Keys? - Would a Large Divers supply store have it or will I need to hunt one down somewhere?

If need be I suppose I could swap out the corrugated hose from my Jacket BC, but I'd rather just get another one.

[awap]

You should be able to find a corrugated hose at any good shop. Make sure it is 1" ID. Some brands (Oceanic & Aqualung) use a smaller ID hose. I like my inflator to sit above my slung pony so I use 13 or 14 inch hoses. 17 - 18 sounds too long unless you are using an octo/inflator. You will also have to watch the length of the LPI hose. Too long works but is sloppy. Too short is more of a problem. And yes, it is just zip ties and easy to change out yourself if your old BCD corrugated hose will work for now.

[CPTOZZY]

Originally Posted by awap

You should be able to find a corrugated hose at any good shop. Make sure it is 1" ID. Some brands (Oceanic & Aqualung) use a smaller ID hose. I like my inflator to sit above my slung pony so I use 13 or 14 inch hoses. 17 - 18 sounds too long unless you are using an octo/inflator. You will also have to watch the length of the LPI hose. Too long works but is sloppy. Too short is more of a problem. And yes, it is just zip ties and easy to change out yourself if your old BCD corrugated hose will work for now.

I've actually collected 3 different LP inflator hoses, of different lengths so that shouldn't be a problem. I don't have an Octo-Inflator/air2 but I do have a Dive-alert Plus, which adds about 2 inches. The 16" hose on my Jacket BC felt just a bit short, but the 12" on my Oxycheq is unusable, I have to torque my head around to orally inflate, and when it flops off my shoulder it is too short to "sweep" my arm to retrieve. -- all around PITA.

[awap]

Originally Posted by CPTOZZY

I've actually collected 3 different LP inflator hoses, of different lengths so that shouldn't be a problem. I don't have an Octo-Inflator/air2 but I do have a Dive-alert Plus, which adds about 2 inches. The 16" hose on my Jacket BC felt just a bit short, but the 12" on my Oxycheq is unusable, I have to torque my head around to orally inflate, and when it flops off my shoulder it is too short to "sweep" my arm to retrieve. -- all around PITA.

The shorter corrugated hose seems to be gaining popularity these days. But 12" does sound a bit too short. The idea is to keep it out of your way and not dangling around yet you can turn your head to the left to manually inflate if you must. I use some double sided velcro tape just above my collar bone to hold my Diverite wing corrugated hose in place as it come over my shoulder. But my Oxychec travel wing has the retainer bulit in just a little higher on my shoulder and seems to keep it in place just fine. I also run my LPI hose through a bungee loop connected to my left shoulder D-ring retainer which keep everything where I can reach it.

Enjoy the Keys.

[Splitlip]

Cpt:

Once you get it in the water, you may very well find you prefer the 12" hose. That is what I use. It works fine particularly if it came with the "K" (angled) inflator.

Time was the biggest complaint on Scubaboard regarding Oxy was the hose being too long (16").
If you plan on using a dive alert, you need minimum 16". With an alternate air, I would use a 19". That is what I did.

[Rileybri]

can you not switch over the entire corrugated hose assembly from you BC that you know works over to your Mach V?? I am talking unscrewing it from the elbow and screwing it on to the Qxy Cheq.

That said mine came (used to me) with the 16" hose and I find it to be a PIA and to long......lol

[Rainer]

It's (really probably) not too short. You likely just need to get used to it. I thought the same thing about my DSS hose, until I got in a few dives on it (years ago). I now recognize it's the perfect length. Just long enough to orally inflate, but otherwise stays out of my way.

This is a common concern of those new to a BP/W. Really, give it a chance (10+ dives) and you'll probably come around to it. Almost all of us did.

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by Rileybri

can you not switch over the entire corrugated hose assembly from you BC that you know works over to your Mach V?? I am talking unscrewing it from the elbow and screwing it on to the Qxy Cheq.

That said mine came (used to me) with the 16" hose and I find it to be a PIA and to long......lol

Depends on the BC. Some have proprietary elbos.

Other wise changing out a (non pull dump) hose will take like 3 minutes.

Snip 2 to 4 cable ties, remove from elbo and inflator. Apply a little veggie oil inside the new hose and insert the elbo and inflator. Install 2 to 4 cable ties.

Note: Make sure the inflator will lay the way you want it and add 2 or 3 sections of bike tube to the hose ahead of time.

[fisheater]

Just be sure that the spammers don't see this thread title.

It's bad enough as it is without letting them know that you may have a problem that they claim to be able to cure.

[Rileybri]

Originally Posted by fisheater

Just be sure that the spammers don't see this thread title.

It's bad enough as it is without letting them know that you may have a problem that they claim to be able to cure.

Bwwaaahhhhhhhahahahaha!