Refurbing an old Drysuit

[mikecsmith]

Hi,

I've just bought a typhoon drysuit off another forum member and whilst it leaks I'm hoping to get it sent off to typhoon to get sorted out. However I have no idea how long that is going to take, so in the meantime I'm going to fix up my old drysuit.

My old one is a ND Vortex 3 about 7 years old, it leaks through the dump valve pretty badly but I've managed to remove the dump valve without damaging it and it's currently soaking in a vat of warm water in the hope that it's full of salt and a good bath will sort it out - now to my first question - will I need to use any form of sealant when I come to reattach the dump to my suit or can I just screw it back on tightly enough and be fine?

Second question, I bought a new suit because my old ones neck seal had gone - I recently bought a new seal to attach to it but after one too many beers at the kit store with my equipments officer we decided to try and attach the seal with pretty disastrous results

I've managed to peel the seal away from the suit without ripping it but the suit and seal are now covered in glue and before I attempt to reattach the seal I need to dissolve this glue, anyone know what I can use to get the glue off my suit and seal without melting them?

Final question, my old suit's inflater nipple is a different size to my new suits, can I just replace the nipple on the inflater or do I have to buy a whole new inflation unit if I want to standardise them?

Cheers,

Mike

[NotDeadYet]

I hate doing neck seals, they inevitably end in disaster. One of the few repairs I'm happy paying someone else to do.

Inflator nipples generally can just be swapped over, but I'm sure there will be oddball valves out there that you cannot do it with. Generally they are a 3/8 UNF thread, same as a reg's LP fittings. Remove the nipple and attempt to scew it into a 1st stage port, if it goes then you know the threads match.

One thing I've found useful for old suits that have leaks is water based roof sealant. It's like a thick grey paint, dries to a flexible finish and solves leaks that you can't find. Coat the inside of the suit with it, or just the part that's getting wet, it's good for a few months of diving before it needs renewed.

[mikecsmith]

It's a standard apeks inflater unit but it has a nipple which is larger than your standard bcd inflater nipple, my new drysuit has a nipple identical to my BC which is what I'd prefer on this one.

Just put a thread in personal adverts as I'd kind of like to swap this suit plus pay a little cash for a two piece semi dry and just use that as my backup instead. I have plenty of bioprene so I don't mind the cold so much and I spent 7 hours a day last weekend on a RIB in a drysuit with water up to my thighs without feeling too bad so I'm assuming a semidry can't be much worse than that.

[lostdiver]

Really when dump valves (auto dumps) go get rid of it buy a new one for £30. No you don't glue it back on!!!!! Just hand tight an not too hand tight!

Neck seal esy, I am doing two on saturday use REALLY fine sand paper and white spirit it will take a while but you will clean the surface well. Don't use too much white spirit use a cloth to apply before you use really fine sand paper to remove the glue.

Oh and the inflator nipple is an easy removal you would really want to replace the Oring but should be able to pick one up for free form you LDS, Get a small adjustable and replace with relevant size. Really you want one that is the same as your BCD so you can switch between the two i anything goes wrong.

Hope this helps......


THE LARGER NIPPLE IS A COMMERCIAL FITTING WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE BETTER BUT STICK TO THE REGULAR AT LEAST TEHN YOU KNOW MOST PEOPLE WILL HAVE A REPLACEMENT INFLATOR HOSE......

[mikecsmith]

Anyone know where I can buy nipples from online?*

*Let the smut commence.

[NotDeadYet]

Put a bead of Aquasure around the hole, you'll get leakage if it's a membrane, the material is too thin/too incompressible to get a compression seal. You can get away with it on neoprene but I usually put some sealant on as well (though haven't used a neo suit in ten years).

Anyone know where I can buy nipples from online?*

The fitting you describe is a CEJN fitting and an absolute pain in the arse. The hose connectors are very prone to freeflowing.

Portland had them on their site, I think DIR Direct sell them as well. Most dive shops should sell them.

*Let the smut commence.

Too easy, like fish in a barrel

[Woz]

Generally they are a 3/8 UNF thread, same as a reg's LP fittings.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT

1/8" NPT self- tapping conical fitting is what's on a nipple. You get about 2 goes with it before the plastic on the inflator is mullered and you have to bin it.

[mikecsmith]

Drysuit now at LDS, just have to pray the bill isn't too exorbitant.

[Dave Abraham]

Anyone know where I can buy nipples from online?*

*Let the smut commence.

Noticeable Japanese nipples — Tokyo Times

There you go

[mikecsmith]

Just need to purchase on of those and my moobs will never feel lonely again!