BCD's micro bubbles...>_<...

[Simon Chang]

Hi!I'm from Taiwan.
I bought a SCUBAPRO Classic Sport from friend,and had been used for 4 years!
Recently,I found the micro bubbles around the inflator valve!
Could you advise me how to deal with it?
Besides,I'm looking for a new one.I've contacted the AQUATEC(it's near where I work locate).They have quotated the BC-45(LUIGI) BC-66,BC-125 for me.
But I've never tried the backer type.
Would you suggest for useful info.?
By the way,how do you feel about Taiwanese diving equipment mfg.?
Actually,I work for American company(Parker Hannifin Taiwan).
Because I ordered couple times from Leisurepro,but some of the products made from China and Taiwan!I feel like funny and having no choice.
Sorry,first post bring you so many questions...^_^...

Sincerely Yours,
Simon Chang

 

[scubafool]

Hi!I'm from Taiwan.
I bought a SCUBAPRO Classic Sport from friend,and had been used for 4 years!
Recently,I found the micro bubbles around the inflator valve!
Could you advise me how to deal with it?
Besides,I'm looking for a new one.I've contacted the AQUATEC(it's near where I work locate).They have quotated the BC-45(LUIGI) BC-66,BC-125 for me.
But I've never tried the backer type.
Would you suggest for useful info.?
By the way,how do you feel about Taiwanese diving equipment mfg.?
Actually,I work for American company(Parker Hannifin Taiwan).
Because I ordered couple times from Leisurepro,but some of the products made from China and Taiwan!I feel like funny and having no choice.
Sorry,first post bring you so many questions...^_^...

Sincerely Yours,
Simon Chang

Hello Simon, and welcome to ScubaBoard.

I am not an expert on dive equipment, but I will do my best to help.

It sounds as though you have a small leak around the inflator. Is this around the valve itself or is it where the inflator hose attachs to the BC behind your shoulder? If it is around the valve, you should be able to get it repaired or replaced rather inexpensively. If it is where the hose attachs to the air bladder, it could either be a simple, cheap fix such as replacing a gasket or it could be unfixable, such as cracks in the air cell.

As far the backer type you mention, am I correct in thinking that you mean a back inflate BC, where the air cell is all behind you, instead wrapping around your waist and over your shoulders? I dive a rather extreme type of that called a back plate and wing, and I absolutely love it. But some people do prefer the more common jacket style, so it is hard to give specific advise. Read through the BC section of this board for a lot more indepth discussion of various BCs.

As far as Taiwanese made dive gear, I don't really care where the gear is made, I care how it is made, and what the gear is. Another words, if it is designed to work the way I want it to, and it is made well, so that it will last, it can be made anywhere, makes no difference.

Best of luck.

 

[fire_diver]

The first reply seems to have answered the question quite well. I will just add my thoughts on one part. You ask about dive gear made in Taiwan. A large amount of "American" dive gear gets made in China or Taiwan. As long as quality control is good, it doesn't matter.

 

[jiveturkey]

It may be an o-ring that needs to be replaced or it may even be a little salt or sand somewhere in hte system. Try giving it a good soak and flushing it with warm water to see if it clears things up.

 

[Simon Chang]

Hi,scubafool!Thanks for your reply!
The inflator valve is forward to my shoulder(old type).
I checked it yesterday again.Different position got the same problem...
According to somebody told me about the Scubapro used to coat the environmental protection material for bladder.And lots of the same batch BCD got the same issue.
The Classic SPORT BCD surface finish peeled off.Meanwhile with the bubbles leakage!
I'm going to sell it,otherwise make it to be spare one.
The Triple-L is even cheaper than DUTON(AQUATEC)<I'm Taiwanese!!!>!Really attracting me!
The AQUATEC BC-45 quotation is NTD14500(NTD1=USD33).
But Triple-L Orion 3 for on-line order is USD166!
These two items are both back inflation BCD.The AQUATEC quotation dept. told me the BC-45 mostly supply to military.It's interesting!
Taiwanese UDU(the same unit as USA NAVY seals) use Scubapro Classic BCD!

 

[DandyDon]

We all too often do not give our BCs the servicing suggested. They're almost as essential to dive safety as the Reg, and some manufacturers suggest annual tech servicing. BC problems are indicated in many accident reports.

You bought a used one. Have it serviced by a Technician.

 

[jeditdog]

You bought a used one. Have it serviced by a Technician.

This is a a really good idea with all used equipment. I would imagine they would be able to pinpoint the problem.

 

[DandyDon]

This is a a really good idea with all used equipment. I would imagine they would be able to pinpoint the problem.

Yep, and BC failure at the surface is not a good experience. I had it happen once - with a new one that was not serviced at time of sale. Lose nut. I didn't panic, just blew air into it, but panic can hit. I want mine to work well. I now check all my fittings often.

 

[Simon Chang]

It may be an o-ring that needs to be replaced or it may even be a little salt or sand somewhere in hte system. Try giving it a good soak and flushing it with warm water to see if it clears things up.

Hi,jiveturkey!Thanks for your info.
Actually my job is "seal application eng.(Parker Hannifin)",so that when I got the BCD,I replaced whole rubber parts to be right dimension and cross section in better material(EPDM and silicone rubber).
Each cleaning and maintenancing,I uninstallation all the parts and carefully operating.
Salt and sand wouldn't cause the problem.
It's strange about the peeling stuff from the surface finish!
But some senior divers told me "That's normal,don't worry!It's SCUBAPRO Classic BCD though!"
Perhaps,it's the strange coating batch!
Thanks again!
It's so good to have discussion here!!!
Taiwanese internet diving discussion always around the criticize to another instructor and dive shop!!!Enough!!!
Sorry,off-topic!It's still isolation of Taiwanese diving culture.There're quite amount of people think about diving is military activity.

Dive Safe,
Simon