Question Drysuit Heating. Which valves should I get?

[Bald Wookie]

I got a bulkhead connector from Northern Light Diving in Vancouver, Canada and it has worked great. Downside is a little extra profile on the valve, but its not too noticeable, far from what I thought when initially seeing pictures.

Upside is, use your existing valve and don't need to worry about proprietary stuff. Cable appears to be user-replaceable too if I ever get to that point.

 

[Sol]

Northern Light Diving in Vancouver

I just checked it out online and the price seems too good to be true. If I suspend my disbelief for a minute, question: will it work with a Santi heating vest and a Light Monkey E/O battery?

 

[rjack321]

I just checked it out online and the price seems too good to be true. If I suspend my disbelief for a minute, question: will it work with a Santi heating vest and a Light Monkey E/O battery?

Its not the valve just the intermediate bulkhead. Light monkey makes the same thing and you put your own valve on there.

35.110.-Drysuit Inflation Valve Heater Bulkhead

shop.lightmonkey.us

 

[Sol]

Its not the valve just the intermediate bulkhead. Light monkey makes the same thing and you put your own valve on there.

35.110.-Drysuit Inflation Valve Heater Bulkhead

shop.lightmonkey.us

Yes, I gathered that from the description. From what I've read elsewhere, the extra height actually plays well with thick dry gloves.

I'd like to think it's compatible with the gear I mentioned in my initial question, but if not, better to find out now. What gives me pause is the statement that "ALL VALVES COME WITH 1 FEMALE E/O CONNECTOR WITH BLANK WIRE END ( NO CONNECTOR)." Forgive what may be a silly question, but does this mean I need to attach some kind of connector before I can use it? Would be nice to find a Canadian supplier.

 

[lermontov]

Yes, I gathered that from the description. From what I've read elsewhere, the extra height actually plays well with thick dry gloves.

I'd like to think it's compatible with the gear I mentioned in my initial question, but if not, better to find out now. What gives me pause is the statement that "ALL VALVES COME WITH 1 FEMALE E/O CONNECTOR WITH BLANK WIRE END ( NO CONNECTOR)." Forgive what may be a silly question, but does this mean I need to attach some kind of connector before I can use it? Would be nice to find a Canadian supplier.

yes - the EO plug is the ubiquitous connection for most heating /lighting in water connections - its teh connection to the undergarment you need to marry up

if you doing long dives (3-4 hours )then bear in mind the standard battery pack wont do so you will need to think about how you are going to manage that- there are a number of option -
extra battery packs -
scooter with a EO connection you can plug in
surface support running into a habitat- if surface support isn't practical get a decent scooter and battery and make up a long ( 2.5m)cable clip the scooter outside then carry the cable into the habitat with you

 

[rjack321]

Yes, I gathered that from the description. From what I've read elsewhere, the extra height actually plays well with thick dry gloves.

I'd like to think it's compatible with the gear I mentioned in my initial question, but if not, better to find out now. What gives me pause is the statement that "ALL VALVES COME WITH 1 FEMALE E/O CONNECTOR WITH BLANK WIRE END ( NO CONNECTOR)." Forgive what may be a silly question, but does this mean I need to attach some kind of connector before I can use it? Would be nice to find a Canadian supplier.

The inside the suit end needs whatever connector mates with your heated undergarment

The stacked bulkhead is better than an integrated valve since its way easier to swap out to a fresh inflator when it starts to leak.

 

[Wibble]

Yes, I gathered that from the description. From what I've read elsewhere, the extra height actually plays well with thick dry gloves.

I'd like to think it's compatible with the gear I mentioned in my initial question, but if not, better to find out now. What gives me pause is the statement that "ALL VALVES COME WITH 1 FEMALE E/O CONNECTOR WITH BLANK WIRE END ( NO CONNECTOR)." Forgive what may be a silly question, but does this mean I need to attach some kind of connector before I can use it? Would be nice to find a Canadian supplier.

You need the heater cable to undersuit connector. For a Santi heated vest or BZ400 it is this:

Heater push lock connector [chogori mini] - £9.00 : Deep Ideas

Deep Ideas Heater push lock connector [chogori mini] - Yellow male Chogori connectors for drysuit and heated garmets

deep-ideas.co.uk

 

[Sol]

You need the heater cable to undersuit connector. For a Santi heated vest or BZ400 it is this:

Heater push lock connector [chogori mini] - £9.00 : Deep Ideas

Deep Ideas Heater push lock connector [chogori mini] - Yellow male Chogori connectors for drysuit and heated garmets

deep-ideas.co.uk

So am I right in thinking I have to buy that separately and then attach it? Was hoping for an out-of-the-box solution, but if this ain't it, I start wondering if the savings over a Santi drysuit connector is really that much of a savings.

 

[Wibble]

So am I right in thinking I have to buy that separately and then attach it? Was hoping for an out-of-the-box solution, but if this ain't it, I start wondering if the savings over a Santi drysuit connector is really that much of a savings.

Most heater connectors come with both ends attached: an E/O for the external wet connection and a female Santi connector for the undersuit side.

Generally people either buy:
A Santi heating connector (there's many others like this) which goes under your existing drysuit inflator valve. This sticks out a bit but works very well (I prefer this with thick winter gloves and it's cheaper)

Santi Drysuit Connector

Santi Drysuit Connector connects Santi Heated Vest, Gloves or Undersuit to the battery using your drysuit inflation valve on top of the unit.

www.dirdirect.com

Santi Drysuit DUAL Connector

Santi Drysuit Connector Specification Drysuit inflation valve connector with the function of integrating the connection to the battery with a voltage not higher than 12V. The connector takes an external standard E/O cord through a standard suit inflation valve and provides power connection from...

scubadivinggear.uk

Or a new "Thermovalve" such as these which replaces the existing valve; so one for summer, one for winter.

Santi Thermovalve 303

Low-profile Santi Thermovalve 303 fully replaces the drysuit inflator valve. Innovative connection for heated undersuits, vests and gloves.

www.dirdirect.com

Ammonite System 360 T-Valve for Heated Suit Systems

Ammonite System 360 T-Valve for Heated Suit Systems 360 degree swivel head T-VALVE can rotate a total of 360 degrees allowing for a wide range of hose configurations – thus, it truly doesn’t matter in this case if one rig routes the drysuit hose under the right arm and another – under the left...

scubadivinggear.uk

SF Tech Heating Valve

SF Tech Heating Valve Specifications Low profile, the SF Tech heating valve is constructed to be flatter than a standard inflator while providing E/O connectivity for a heating system. Made of Delrin, a material with excellent impact resistance, the valve is extremely robust and durable...

scubadivinggear.uk

Please note that the Santi cables are crap and will break after a year or so. You then replace the cable with the stronger cable which is coaxial (that's the one in the Ammonite connector). These are MUCH better than the weak Santi cables. (I'm pissed off with replacing these cables every year; finally found a source for the MUCH better coaxial cables which has a bigger current capacity, i.e. less voltage drop than the Santi)

The replacement task is pretty easy but needs a soldering iron. Also, Santi, bless them, glue their undersuit connector together so you'll need the replacement to solder the cables to.

Heating System E/O Cord | Rebreatherpro-Training

Heating System E/O Cord Super strong. Having problems with your heating system E/O cord, then try the new coaxial cable. Extremely durable and tolerant of

www.rebreatherpro-training.com

Heater push lock connector [chogori mini] - £9.00 : Deep Ideas

Deep Ideas Heater push lock connector [chogori mini] - Yellow male Chogori connectors for drysuit and heated garmets

deep-ideas.co.uk

They will even do the job for you for a small fee.

 

[Sol]

Most heater connectors come with both ends attached: an E/O for the external wet connection and a female Santi connector for the undersuit side.

Generally people either buy:
A Santi heating connector (there's many others like this) which goes under your existing drysuit inflator valve. This sticks out a bit but works very well (I prefer this with thick winter gloves and it's cheaper)

Santi Drysuit Connector

Santi Drysuit Connector connects Santi Heated Vest, Gloves or Undersuit to the battery using your drysuit inflation valve on top of the unit.

www.dirdirect.com

Santi Drysuit DUAL Connector

Santi Drysuit Connector Specification Drysuit inflation valve connector with the function of integrating the connection to the battery with a voltage not higher than 12V. The connector takes an external standard E/O cord through a standard suit inflation valve and provides power connection from...

scubadivinggear.uk

Or a new "Thermovalve" such as these which replaces the existing valve; so one for summer, one for winter.

Santi Thermovalve 303

Low-profile Santi Thermovalve 303 fully replaces the drysuit inflator valve. Innovative connection for heated undersuits, vests and gloves.

www.dirdirect.com

Ammonite System 360 T-Valve for Heated Suit Systems

Ammonite System 360 T-Valve for Heated Suit Systems 360 degree swivel head T-VALVE can rotate a total of 360 degrees allowing for a wide range of hose configurations – thus, it truly doesn’t matter in this case if one rig routes the drysuit hose under the right arm and another – under the left...

scubadivinggear.uk

SF Tech Heating Valve

SF Tech Heating Valve Specifications Low profile, the SF Tech heating valve is constructed to be flatter than a standard inflator while providing E/O connectivity for a heating system. Made of Delrin, a material with excellent impact resistance, the valve is extremely robust and durable...

scubadivinggear.uk

Please note that the Santi cables are crap and will break after a year or so. You then replace the cable with the stronger cable which is coaxial (that's the one in the Ammonite connector). These are MUCH better than the weak Santi cables. (I'm pissed off with replacing these cables every year; finally found a source for the MUCH better coaxial cables which has a bigger current capacity, i.e. less voltage drop than the Santi)

The replacement task is pretty easy but needs a soldering iron. Also, Santi, bless them, glue their undersuit connector together so you'll need the replacement to solder the cables to.

Heating System E/O Cord | Rebreatherpro-Training

Heating System E/O Cord Super strong. Having problems with your heating system E/O cord, then try the new coaxial cable. Extremely durable and tolerant of

www.rebreatherpro-training.com

Heater push lock connector [chogori mini] - £9.00 : Deep Ideas

Deep Ideas Heater push lock connector [chogori mini] - Yellow male Chogori connectors for drysuit and heated garmets

deep-ideas.co.uk

They will even do the job for you for a small fee.

Ya I've read that about the Santi cables.

If both ends have the requisite connections, then I'm better off saving more than a hundred bucks and getting this, no? (Haven't seen any discussion of how good the cables are.)