How to use auto dump valves?

[slip179]

Stabjacket, re leak, buddies have had this and these are things they have resolved. Check it is fully tight (press in outside part and turn against inside. be careful on sharp edges on some inside fittings) If this doesn't work, unscrew it and check no grit or left over adhesive on ring which might cause leak. I have also heard that the rubber flap of the valve can catch on something internal and need to be freed, but I haven't seem this myself.

I did suffer from a leak from the inflator, and after a lot of detective work, it turned out to be too short an inflator hose which tensioned when in dive position. When inflate was pressed, it worked like an atomiser giving me a cold wet, spray.

Good luck with your mates leak.

[MATTBIN]

I close mine before I hit the water, then open it fully to descend (and vent gas). At the bottom and during the dive I leave it wide open. I may if its cold swap some bouyancy gas from the wing to the suit, so have the valve closed a couple of clicks. I dive a membrane suit, do you guys do different if you have a neo suit as you get some warmth from that of course.

Matt

[David]

Originally Posted by Southern_Dave

I have a Si-Tech auto dump fitted on the shoulder of my drysuit. I seemed to spend more time fiddling with it on my horsea dives recently than paying much attention to what was going on around me (not that there was much with vis less than a metre!).

Can anyone give some advice on how these are supposed to function? Should they be set to one setting and then left, or do they require constant adjustment?

you should not spend anytime messing with it...
what you doing tell us more ?


if its open all the extra should vent if its closed and you rise a little the gas will expand and have no where to go causing more problems.

ok so I confess I sometimes close mine too :-) pumb some air in to retain abit of heat :-) but at the end of the dive just before I ascend I open it fully so it can just autodump as it should.

David

[ardhill]

Pretty much like others.

I know how many clicks on my dump is comfortable for me. If it is fully open, I am vacuum packed in the water, and thus have restricted movements. So, I have learned that for me, 4 clicks is the point where I have minimal gas in my suit, without being vacuum packed in the water. This also allows for it to auto dump on ascent.

So, I turn it 4 clicks when getting ready in the boat, then don't touch it again till I am back on the surface, where I shut it totally and add gas.

I fiddled for a while till I found the place that was comfortable for me.
.

[DIVE BUDDHA]

i always dive mine 4 clicks open , unless at the surface when its shut to keep me warm

[gwilson]

When i did my dry suit course, i was taught to have it open on descent to allow air out of suit, then close it off a few clicks untill i had air in the suit and could fin pivot moving up and down slowly using my lungs, then leave it alone till ascending when open it up again. then next time i dive once down close it off by however many clicks it was the previous time.

however now i have it fully open all the time and only close it during surface interval once ive put air in to stay warm. I only use suit to take the squeeze off slightly.

the back of the dump valve might be slightly loose, just needs a wee tighten to stop water coming in.