Gear Storage Tips

[LobstaMan]

Since I spent a few bucks on my gear(and plan to spend much more!!), I'd like to take good care of the stuff so it lasts as long as possible and retains high resale value. Could the SB veterans out there pass on any gear storage does and don'ts they might have? Thanks and see you in the Spring.

LobstaMan

 

[Green_Manelishi]

Since I spent a few bucks on my gear(and plan to spend much more!!), I'd like to take good care of the stuff so it lasts as long as possible and retains high resale value. Could the SB veterans out there pass on any gear storage does and don'ts they might have? Thanks and see you in the Spring.

LobstaMan

Well first off, you'll not likely sell used gear for anywhere near what you paid.

I don't store my gear; I dive. But if that is not possible, here are some hints.

1) make certain it is dry

2) keep it in a cool, dark place away from petrol fumes, electric motors, etc.
(a big plastic storage bin is ideal for this)

3) dust with unscented talc or "chalk", lightly, any non-lined wetsuit seals so they do not adhere to each other over the winter

4) don't pile the stuff on top of other stuff. if you still have the boxes, store the gear in those.

 

[matt_unique]

Since I spent a few bucks on my gear(and plan to spend much more!!), I'd like to take good care of the stuff so it lasts as long as possible and retains high resale value. Could the SB veterans out there pass on any gear storage does and don'ts they might have? Thanks and see you in the Spring.

LobstaMan

Good tips from GM - do a good fresh water rinse (should do after every dive) including the inside of your BC/Wings whatever you have. I always make a point to press all the buttons while my gear is submerged in fresh water. Never rinse regulators unless they are pressurized to a tank. Press all the buttons, move all the levers, etc. to free up any sand or salt that may be in there. Make sure everything is completely dry. Feel the inside of the suit, shake the regs to see if any drops of water come out, etc. Then store all your gear in the same place in your gear bag or whatever you have. Nothing more frustrating than looking for gear for the first dive of the year. I assume you are diving wet and not year round of course. Make sure your gear is not stored in a way that bends hoses sharply, folds neoprene, etc. Wax your zippers as well.

--Matt

 

[Soggy]

The best way to store gear is to keep diving thru the winter

But, if that's not an option, GM and Matt have it covered.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

In the mid 1980s I placed some gear that I no longer used in a bag, zipped shut the bag and placed it in the cool, (most of the time) dry, cellar of my father's house. This past summer, while visiting Dad, I recovered the bag. The exterior of the bag was dirty (and has since been cleaned) but the gear, including some DaCor "turbo" fins, is all in excellent shape.

 

[matt_unique]

The best way to store gear is to keep diving thru the winter

But, if that's not an option, GM and Matt have it covered.

Why stop the party when winter comes around? Get a drysuit (if you have the $$) and begin the wonder of why you ever dove wet Cold beer and warm chowder taste better after a freezing cold winter dive too.

--Matt

 

[LobstaMan]

That's the long-range plan, but first I'll be buying(hopefully) two HP100s this winter/spring. Then I'll see about a drysuit later next year after I've saved some more cash. But for now, it's the off-season for me.

What about cylinder storage? Full, half-full, 500psi, lying down, upright, w/ boot off, on, etc. Or does it make any difference?

LobstaMan

 

[Soggy]

What about cylinder storage? Full, half-full, 500psi, lying down, upright, w/ boot off, on, etc. Or does it make any difference?

Store the tanks with 100psi or so in them...just enough to keep moisture out, but not full. When full they put some additional stress on the tank and valve, plus in the event of a fire, a missile with less fuel is desireable.

I'm not sure about standing or lying down, but I'd at least take the boot off long enough to rinse it and make sure it's *completely* dry. If it's an Al tank, you could just leave the boot off altogether, since they have flat bottoms. My inclination is to leave them standing, so that whatever moisture is in the tanks collects at the bottom rather than on one side, but that's just a gut feeling.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

That's the long-range plan, but first I'll be buying(hopefully) two HP100s this winter/spring. Then I'll see about a drysuit later next year after I've saved some more cash. But for now, it's the off-season for me.

What about cylinder storage? Full, half-full, 500psi, lying down, upright, w/ boot off, on, etc. Or does it make any difference?

LobstaMan

As Soggy pointed out, store with a bit of gas in the cylinder. Standing is better from a 'good for the tank' standpoint but stand them near a wall where they will be less likely to be knocked over. Al tanks need no boot but you can buy some nifty rubber pads (with vent holes) to stand the tanks on so they are not directly on concrete that might "sweat" or have water from a leaky cellar. You can also buy boots for steel that have "ridges" so the water drains more completely.

 

[spectrum]

If you store them with 100PSI does that mean you then need to pay for a visual at the start of the next season? I read that 200 PSI was the cutoff for refill without a visual.

Pete