Auto Air inflator (AP Buddy Commando) swap to standard inflator (Scubapro)

[neevo]

Last time I was on here (I’m ashamed to say) I was asking about how to fix a leak on my Commando. That worked out perfectly and I ended up putting all of 2 dives on the BCD before I got put back in a cupboard. I couldn’t be bothered with dry suit diving in Sydney.

Shameful!

I’ve just come back from a holiday in Thailand with my best mate and he got me back in the water and made me realise just how much I love it, even when the diving was not the most exciting ever. So my new resolution is to get at least 5 double dives a year in Sydney through a proper operator, so I don’t have to worry about tanks, weights or where I’m going (maybe a mix of beach and boat dives).

So I’m getting my gear all back up to top notch condition ready to get back in the water. The one thing I’ve never liked about my pre 2007 AP Buddy Commando is the inflator. It’s an auto air, it’s bulky and I’ve literally never needed the regulator functionality in the 200+ dives I’ve done in this jacket.

It’s also 1 less regulator I need to get serviced if I can get it off the BCD.

All the old threads suggest swapping it out for a Scubapro basic inflator and I want to check to make sure my thinking is correct that the only thing I need to do is make sure the output corrugated barb will fit the Commando. Is that correct?

This is the inflator I am looking at with a new hose to the 1st stage (as I know the AP one is a different quick connnect):

I assume I need to ensure the output barb on this new inflator is 24.5mm or larger:

Or if it’s smaller I need to either look at a different inflator, or I have machining and 3D printing capability in my workshop, so could likely make up something to make it fit.

Checking to make sure I haven’t missed anything obvious.

 

[rongoodman]

I'm thinking a generic inflator would cost lot less than the one you're looking at.

 

[rsingler]

I'll beg to differ.
This is the most failure prone valve in your entire setup.
A stuck inflation valve may send you heading for the surface with a full nitrogen load if you can't immediately disconnect the hose like they taught for 30 seconds in OW training.
IMO, the Atomic inflator is better engineered than the Scubapro, and should accommodate your 1" hose easily.
In fact, you may end up like me, spending WAY too much money on their titanium version, so I don't EVER have to worry about that valve.

The bigger issue, frankly, is the war over the button placement. I always hated the button position for the common K valves.

My 2 cents...

 

[neevo]

I'll beg to differ.
This is the most failure prone valve in your entire setup.
A stuck inflation valve may send you heading for the surface with a full nitrogen load if you can't immediately disconnect the hose like they taught for 30 seconds in OW training.
IMO, the Atomic inflator is better engineered than the Scubapro, and should accommodate your 1" hose easily.
In fact, you may end up like me, spending WAY too much money on their titanium version, so I don't EVER have to worry about that valve.

The bigger issue, frankly, is the war over the button placement. I always hated the button position for the common K valves.

My 2 cents...

Do you mean something like this?

Atomic Aquatics Ai Power Inflator

Atomic Aquatics Ai Power Inflator The Ai will connect to virtually any existing BCD inflation hose via specialized adapters and is a perfect match for the

divegearaustralia.com.au

I’m happy to pay a bit more and get quality. That’s why I bought the Commando and my Apeks regs and I’ve never regretted those decisions. Plus the parts and after care has been exceptional on both those brands.

Edit: I notice this includes adapters for different hoses too, that’s a bonus.

 

[happy-diver]

How about you buy one of these use the inflator and take you and your other person out for a quick meal

25lbs Heavy Duty Diving Donut Wing Single Tank for Professional Scuba Divers Freediving Spearfishing - AliExpress 18

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

vi.aliexpress.com

Maybe buy four of these and throw yourselves the 21st birthday parties you really wanted

Scuba diving BCD Inflator Valve BCD 45 Degree Oral Power Inflator Buoyancy Compensator Device - AliExpress 18

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

vi.aliexpress.com

so you don't ever have to worry about inflator valves or servicing.

with heaps of money left over for cable ties

 

[neevo]

I’ve built a couple of watches from Ali Express and they’ve been excellent. However for my diving gear I’d prefer to stick to branded stuff for now. That AI inflator pretty much has my name on it at the moment as I’ve found a retailer locally that has it for $240 and with a 3 year service life that sounds perfect for me.

 

[happy-diver]

Hey maybe I just can't afford the best

 

[neevo]

Hey maybe I just can't afford the best

I’m not making any judgements, as I said I’ve had wonderful experiences with Ali Express and have no doubts they’d make a perfectly functional inflator.

And yes, you’re probably right that it’s a bit of a luxury to justify $240 vs $30, so I understand how privileged I am to be able to make that choice.

I had to save for at least a couple of years to buy my Buddy BCD, Apeks regs, wetsuits and fins when I started, and they’ve given me decades of service over that time. So as long as I plan to keep the gear I buy, I like to buy the best I can afford, even if it means saving for a bit.

 

[happy-diver]

or perhaps you could have heard that you are buying the best which is the best

 

[Edward3c]

I used a buddy Seaking BC for years with a ScubaPro inflator. Those AutoAir units will leak if they see one gran of sand, the ScubaPro inflator survived 3 months expedition diving without seeing fresh water. Those with AutoAirs all failed within a week.