gerryw
Registered
Too Late, GearHead.
I have it too!
Two holes in my new Pioneer 36 with all of 4 dives on it.
Mine were quite easy to diagnose, the thing would not hold air. As in: Hmmmmm, I could have sworn I inflated this thing when I came up to surface... Better check it out when I get home.
The holes, about 1/8" long, were low on the wing and I had enough lift to float with no problems. The leak was not fast and I did not notice it underwater, but I remember thinking that my buoyancy sure sucked. This was also the worst viz I have yet seen, 1-2 feet in the bad spots, 4 at best on the bottom. I was mainly focussed on not losing my buddy. We were on the bottom at about 40 feet following a mooring chain hand over hand, looking for crabs which like to hide in the links.
The two holes are on opposite sides, near each other but not directly in line.
One is easy to figure out, rubbed by a rough/sharp spot in BP that actually turns in toward the wing in that area to present an edge to the fabric.
The other I can't explain. It's on the tank side, seemingly safe.
I put 3 pics in:
http://community.webshots.com/album/66671030EJMekM
The outlet valve is off in one pic because my first thought was to try to put on a patch from inside through the valve hole. Until I saw the size of the valve hole. Then I went to plan B.
I found the holes last night (Saturday). Had a serious sinking feeling when I found them. I could see Sunday's dive go down the drain. Some research on this site found this thread and an earlier one where aquaseal was recommended as a semi permanent fix.
What to do? I had few options, so I tried the aquaseal. And it worked, no leaks in the morning with inflation until the valve opened due to pressure. I put tape on the turned in edges of the BP and had no problems Sunday. During the repair, I did notice the frayed webbing like several other posters have mentioned. This is after 4 dives.
So, I don't know yet if this is a permanent solution.
I guess I will be trying out Halcyon service too.
Two of the 3 problems I found (fabric cut by BP and frayed webbing) are quality control issues IMO. I don't know what happened to cause the other cut. I did not abuse the thing, certainly no rougher treatment than my previous BC. Which has no cuts after 140 dives or so.
I have it too!
Two holes in my new Pioneer 36 with all of 4 dives on it.
Mine were quite easy to diagnose, the thing would not hold air. As in: Hmmmmm, I could have sworn I inflated this thing when I came up to surface... Better check it out when I get home. The holes, about 1/8" long, were low on the wing and I had enough lift to float with no problems. The leak was not fast and I did not notice it underwater, but I remember thinking that my buoyancy sure sucked. This was also the worst viz I have yet seen, 1-2 feet in the bad spots, 4 at best on the bottom. I was mainly focussed on not losing my buddy. We were on the bottom at about 40 feet following a mooring chain hand over hand, looking for crabs which like to hide in the links.
The two holes are on opposite sides, near each other but not directly in line.
One is easy to figure out, rubbed by a rough/sharp spot in BP that actually turns in toward the wing in that area to present an edge to the fabric.
The other I can't explain. It's on the tank side, seemingly safe.
I put 3 pics in:
http://community.webshots.com/album/66671030EJMekM
The outlet valve is off in one pic because my first thought was to try to put on a patch from inside through the valve hole. Until I saw the size of the valve hole. Then I went to plan B.
I found the holes last night (Saturday). Had a serious sinking feeling when I found them. I could see Sunday's dive go down the drain. Some research on this site found this thread and an earlier one where aquaseal was recommended as a semi permanent fix.
What to do? I had few options, so I tried the aquaseal. And it worked, no leaks in the morning with inflation until the valve opened due to pressure. I put tape on the turned in edges of the BP and had no problems Sunday. During the repair, I did notice the frayed webbing like several other posters have mentioned. This is after 4 dives.
So, I don't know yet if this is a permanent solution.
I guess I will be trying out Halcyon service too.
Two of the 3 problems I found (fabric cut by BP and frayed webbing) are quality control issues IMO. I don't know what happened to cause the other cut. I did not abuse the thing, certainly no rougher treatment than my previous BC. Which has no cuts after 140 dives or so.
