Bent dip tube

[dennisgrimm]

I just got my LP order today. Myself and some friends have gone together to save on shipping. We ordered 3 genesis manifolds (dealer price is $230US and we ordered for $125US) and when I got them one of them was bent. The little tube that goes into the tank is bent. See the attached pic. The pic doesn't do it justice, in person the bend is very significant. Grrrrrrrrrrrr :banging:

 

[Rick Murchison]

dennisgrimm once bubbled...
I just got my LP order today. Myself and some friends have gone together to save on shipping. We ordered 3 genesis manifolds (dealer price is $230US and we ordered for $125US) and when I got them one of them was bent. The little tube that goes into the tank is bent. See the attached pic. The pic doesn't do it justice, in person the bend is very significant. Grrrrrrrrrrrr :banging:

Standard item at any dive shop... just pop down to the LDS & buy one.
Rick

 

[dennisgrimm]

that little tube is a common thing?

 

[boomx5]

dennisgrimm once bubbled...
that little tube is a common thing?

You may not even need to buy a new dip tube if the bend is not that bad; you should ask your LDS.

 

[Genesis]

Provided its not cracked and leaking anywhere along its length, and isn't loose in the manifold, its not a big deal.

They do unscrew and you can go get a new one - they're standard parts and no biggie - but I wouldn't bother if it doesn't bind on you or have any leaks/cracks in it.

The tube's purpose is to keep the intake away from any potential accumulated water (there should be none!) in the tank. Without it if you inverted the tank while diving and there WAS anything liquid or solid in there it would go into the valve and either end up in the reg or potentially (in the case of a solid) obstruct the flow of gas.

The Dip Tube prevents this, at least for small amounts of crud. Of course "things" in a tank are bad news anyway and shouldn't be there - this is just the "suspenders" of the "belt-and-suspenders" approach.

 

[DeepScuba]

heheheh, that's funny.

What really pi$$e$ me off if when the goon installing the valve onto the tank (If it isn't yourself) leaves the dip tube a little too loose, and then it falls off and rattles around inside the tank until the next inspection...........Arrrgh ever damn time I pick it up or move it.

If I wasn't so lazy I'd drain it and re-install it, but then I'd lose all that gas!!!, and my tanks are never empty for more than 5 minutes!!!!

Personal pet peeve (One among many).

 

[scubasean]

DeepScuba once bubbled...

If I wasn't so lazy I'd drain it and re-install it, but then I'd lose all that gas!!!, and my tanks are never empty for more than 5 minutes!!!!

LOL....empty? 5 minutes?

Mine are only empty once a year....during the vis....(technically, they aren't empty, but only have atmospheric pressue...heh)

But 5 min? I'm jealous...I don't have a portable compressor....or even a nonportable one.

 

[pescador775]

Most modern valves seem to have threaded tubes. In fact, most are shipped with the tube separate, loose in the package. Older valves often had press fit joints and the tube could not be easily removed. Installation was by inserting the tube in the orifice and staking the orifice.

 

[FredT]

Slip a chunk of 1/4" pipe over it and bend it back! Support the valve upside down in a vise padded with a heavy leather glove to give you the leverage.

Most tubes I've seen are simply rolled and plated brass, not even a welded seam. One of the tricks done in the early years was to cross drill the dip tube close to the end with a couple 1/8" holes, and bend the end to form a restriction about 1/8" at it's narrowest point. This way a single piece of rust or debris could not plug the tube orifice.

FT

 

[pescador775]

Yep, back in the 50's, the 'Superior' post valves used by Healthways were cross drilled, some others, too. Wonder why they quit doing that? Anyway, as Fred says, rebending the thing should be easy, if you have a small vise and piece of steel tube. Either way, no biggie.