More on drysuits...

[Tim Ingmire]

Hi all,

It's time to get the drysuit looked at as the valves need to be replaced - autodump never closes and the inlet valve is leaking bubbles from around the button.  I'm thinking of getting the Apeks low profile valves to replace the current ones.

So, is this something that should be done prefessionally or is it easy enough to do myself - note that I've never done anything like this before so it has to be easy and foolproof if I'm going to do it.  Also, is the coice of valves a good 'un?

Drysuit is a ND Divemaster 4mm compressed neoprene - if that if info makes any difference.

Cheers all, I'm awaiting enlightenment.

Tim

[Gavin Yates]

Considering your suit isn't that old ... what about getting the valves serviced.

The dump not closing could be a worn spring?

And the inflator could as easily be a worn hose rather than the valve itself.

Why spend money when you could get me a bigger xmas pressie!!!!!!

[John Gulliver]

As far as the dump valve is concerned, opinions differ. The general view seems to be that the SITEC dump valve is better than the old Apeks one was – it  dumps air much faster than the Apeks – but the new low-profile Apeks valve is said to be a lot better than the old one. The Apeks and SITEC inflator valves seem to be about the same.

[Hobby]

I think I'd still go for the SITEC valves.They do a swivel low profile dump too now.I've always found the stuff to be excellent quality,I've a suspicion they may have made the Poseidon valves on those suits but I'm not certain at all.
If you do get a SITEC inflation check the fittings as early ones were a different fitting to most other's and these may still be around as old stock.
HTH,Hobby.

[Ben Harris]

Tim, Speak to NDIver direct. They are really helpfull and wont Bull S!*t you.

[jjflash]

I reckon if you are fairly handy you should be able to do it yourself - I've had mine out and back before now no probs. Cut my suit to fit a cuff dump too - bit scary at first.

Put that in 'cos my low profile Apeks autodump was absolutely crap and a liability frankly. I've heard the Sitek ones are a lot better though

Dive safe
Paul

[Ben Harris]

Araldite and gaffa tape.

Go on tim, service your tanks and regs yourself whilst your at it!!!!

[Hobby]

Tim,it is quite easy to do.I can go through it with you if you want? Where are you based in fact as if you're near I could show you how to do it (YD teaching sessions on suit maintenance anyone?).
Now about the suit valves,.........
Hobby.

[Tim Ingmire]

Thanks All.

Hobby, I'm in Yorkshire (near Wetherby) at the weekends and Liverpool during the week.  Am prepared to travel a little tho.  Be good if you can help me do it - provided you don't make nasty comments to / about my DS tho ;).

Cheers,

Tim

[Hobby]

I'm not far from Liverpool,particularly I'm near the East Lancs road (A580),so it should'nt take the brains of a Bishop to facilitate us meeting up.Have you got a timescale on this?
I'm thinking that it might be better if you can come to mine,reason being that I've got some accumulated bits that might be handy if needed eg.neoprene etc.
You'll need to decide whether you want to try and get your existing valves servicable again,or,you want to fit new ones.Either way you'll need some appropriate glue/sealant.Aquasure's Ok but can be quite dear.We're best off using proper neoprene cement such as Black witch or Namron etc.with some thinners.(I've got some but not enough to do both valves).If you decide to go for new valves,are you happy with the locations of the existing ones,as if you want to move em' it gets more involved.
 So,it's 1 suit inflation,on the chest? Your dump valve's an auto type,fitted on the upper arm? Is there are a cuff dump,and what will you do with it is so?Were these valves fitted at manufacture?
Regards,Hobby.