autodumps

[Spike Jackson]

I currently use a cuff dump on my Otter suit but I'm thinking of changing it for an auto dump.
Any suggestions as to which dump to use?
Is this a DIY job or something best left to the professionals? How much would they charge? Who should I use? I'm based in Portsmouth so not worth driving up to Otter!

[MATTBIN]

Si-Tech or Apex original, the low profile one is 'fragile'. Both are about £45 new and can be fitted by user. Alternatively get a second hand one from E-bay. Si-Tech's are difficult to source, I tried for weeks to get hold of one and all the stockists were unavailable to supply.

As for fitting yourself, others on here have done it, I had mine done professionaly.

HTH
Matt

[jasondrake]

Depends on your local lds. Most folk use the apeks low profile jobs, or a copy. See prvious threads on various pro's and cons of various dumps - needless to say opinions vary but none of them are that bad. As far as fitting it that involves removing the cuff dump and patching the hole. On a menbrane thats easy - I use bicycle repair kit stuff on membranes and glue a circular patch inside and out about a cm proud of the hole. Then you need to cut a hole for the autodump - positioning it is fairly crucial so think about it first and put the suit on with normal undersuit and mark the area with crayon - look at other folks suits for an idea. Then cut the circular hole to match the diameter of the sticky-through bit of your new dump. Need to glue a rubber backing disc around the outside of the hole. Then screw in the dump. It's a bit tricky on neoprene regarding glue and stuff and patching is difficult. All in all, it will probably not be worth the hassle depending on how much a shop will charge to do it.

[MATTBIN]

Sorry Jason cant agree about the Apex low profile (or copy) they're crap, they leak after a short while and break very easily when removed or replaced and they are overpriced rubbish in my opinion.

Matt

[Sean]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (MATTBIN @ Oct. 29 2003,15:46)]Sorry Jason cant agree about the Apex low profile (or copy) they're crap, they leak after a short while and break very easily when removed or replaced and they are overpriced rubbish in my opinion.

Matt

Been using the Apex  low profile one for a few years now and never had a problem. Never leaked providing there looked after washed out after a days diving cant see a problem.

[MATTBIN]

Sean
as I said 'my opinion' but the one I had on my Oceanic, so it was a copy, dry suit, broke as soon as I tried to remove it to clean it out. Admittedly I didnt push down and twist as per the instructions on the replacement.

Matt

[Spike Jackson]

I was actually just going to leave the cuff dump on - don't see any advantage in removing it?

[nickjb]

I have a cuff AND auto dump.  It gives a couple of dumping options and doesn't cause any problems.

Never had any trouble with my Apeks low profile auto dump (touch wood)

HTH
Nick

[Mark Chase]

I have a cuff dump and an auto dump.

There are two complaints with the Apex Low profile

1: It doesn’t work

2: It leaks

My first one on my old Otter suit didn’t work

My second one on my 03 suit works but leaks. So I have had personal experience of both of the standard reported problems with Apex Low Profile units.

I fitted a Sitech to my Otter, which worked great and didn’t leak. So as a result I am firmly in the Sitech camp

As for cuff dumps they always leek but its nice to have redundancy

ATB

Mark Chase

[Lou]

Just for balance, thus far (about 50 dives) my low profile Apeks doesn't leak, and does work.  However it doesn't work as well as it could.  The dump rate can be a bit slower than I would like.  It is a good job I do slow ascents as I wouldn't like to see it cope with a 10m/min....