Connecting the corrugated hose to the inflator

[Colliam7]

The corrugated hose on my Oxycheq wing recently separated from the low pressure inflator during a dive. It only had a single tie-wrap holding it in place, and that apparently loosed enough to allow the failure. I reattached it using two tie-wraps, which I consider the minimum. But, it made me curious. DR and Halcyon appear to use screw clamps (at least that is all I have seen on them) for the connection. Does anyone have experiences suggesting that a screw clamp is substantively better than using a couple of tie-wraps (I can think of some theoretical reasons, I guess)? Also, in looking at the inflator valve before reattaching it, it appeared to have a non-sticky coating of some kind on the end, either a (now dried) adhesive or perhaps something like the scuba equivalent of plumbing joint compound. For those of you who work on BCs (professionally or personally) do you put anything on the male end of the inflator before attaching the corrugated hose?

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

I think the stuff is rubber cement. Regarding the low pressure inflator attachment, I just used three zip ties for my oxycheq wing when I had to remove the inflator and later reattach.

No problems so far.

 

[Scuba.com]

Most inflators are attached using cable ties or tywraps. Unless the inflator assembly has a pull down dump on the shoulder (Over Pressure Exhaust Valve), one cable tie should work fine. Two will just make it even more secure. The hose clamp style work as well, but they are not as streamline and you will have the end of the screw sticking out from the clamp which is usually covered by a tiny rubber cap. The clamps are not as readily available as the cable ties.

 

[Colliam7]

I think the stuff is rubber cement. Regarding the low pressure inflator attachment, I just used three zip ties for my oxycheq wing when I had to remove the inflator and later reattach.

Thanks. I thought it looked like rubber cement. Three ties certainly should make it secure. BTW, when you reattach, do you use cement, or just put on the ties?

Most inflators are attached using cable ties. Unless the inflator assembly has a pull down dump on the shoulder (Over Pressure Exhaust Valve), one cable tie should work fine. Two will just make it even more secure.

And, that is what I was thinking – put at least two on. My Zeagle BC, and one of my other wings, have two.

The hose clamp style work as well, but they are not as streamline and you will have the end of the screw sticking out from the clamp which is usually covered by a tiny rubber cap. The clamps are not as readily available as the cable ties.

Agree. The end of the screw sticks out just a bit, and needs a cover of some sort. I have never had a problem with them snagging, but have always thought cable ties to be a better, more streamlined, option.

 

[dbulmer]

Colliam,
Try putting some cycle or motorbike inner tube over the tie wraps - that'll help as well.

 

[Jim Baldwin]

Most inflators are attached using cable ties or tywraps. Unless the inflator assembly has a pull down dump on the shoulder (Over Pressure Exhaust Valve), one cable tie should work fine. Two will just make it even more secure. The hose clamp style work as well, but they are not as streamline and you will have the end of the screw sticking out from the clamp which is usually covered by a tiny rubber cap. The clamps are not as readily available as the cable ties.

If you use zip ties use an emory board or finger nail file and work the end down where you cut off the excess. It will be smooth and you will never cut your hand or hang your wetsuit or dive skin.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I have seen, on more than one occassion, pieces of this black adhesive that came free inside the hose and ended up fouling either the OPV, or oral inflate valve in the power inflator. I recommend not using any glue or sealant as it will not bond to the hose.

I recommend using two cable ties on each end of the hose. Tie wraps vary a great deal in quality. I recommend using only the UV resistant, stainless tang wraps made by Thomas and Betts. Cheaper wraps often get brittle over time, and the locking notches can fail, or the "head" of the wrap snaps off.

These can be hard to find, but most commercial electrical wholesale houses will have them in stock.

IIRC at least one major wing supplier has moved away from screw clamps and is now using dual zip ties.


Tobin

 

[Charlie99]

I have seen, on more than one occassion, pieces of this black adhesive that came free inside the hose and ended up fouling either the OPV, or oral inflate valve in the power inflator.

I recommend using only the UV resistant, stainless tang wraps made by Thomas and Betts. Cheaper wraps often get brittle over time, and the locking notches can fail, or the "head" of the wrap snaps off.

The other thing a diver can do it to simply replace the tie wraps every 1 to 2 years while doing a visual inspection of the pull dump cable.

The pull dump on my BCD mysteriously snapped while it was sitting on a boat --- somebody probably got gear snagged in it or lifted BCD and tank by the hose. I discovered during descent that the snapped cable was stuck under the dump valve. Doing a 130' wall dive in a 5mm suit with no buoyancy in the BCD was "interesting". I hadn't checked the pull dump cable in the 6 years since buying the BCD.

 

[Colliam7]

I have seen, on more than one occassion, pieces of this black adhesive that came free inside the hose and ended up fouling either the OPV, or oral inflate valve in the power inflator. I recommend not using any glue or sealant as it will not bond to the hose.

I agree, and have not used it before - always used only cable ties. But, thought I would ask to see if I was missing something. Have had the same problem, with some adhesive working loose and fouling the valve seat. And, you're right - it seems to stick to the valve, but not the hose. So, why use it?

Tie wraps vary a great deal in quality. I recommend using only the UV resistant, stainless tang wraps made by Thomas and Betts. Cheaper wraps often get brittle over time, and the locking notches can fail, or the "head" of the wrap snaps off.

I have always used T&B exclusively for scuba applications, but it seems there may be levels of quality even within the brand that I need to look into. Thanks.

I like the idea of putting a piece of inner tube over the wraps. We use inner tube for everything else, so why not?

 

[cool_hardware52]

I have always used T&B exclusively for scuba applications, but it seems there may be levels of quality even within the brand that I need to look into. Thanks.

Look for the UV resistant ties.

Tobin