How often to service power inflator?

[rsingler]

Using one of these to rinse the internals will help with salt tremendously, makes it easier to rinse bladders, and reduces service needs.

Amazon.com : Innovative BC Flush Hose with Inflator Adapter : Sports & Outdoors

I thought so too, and bought two! One for my wife and one for me. You're right on one count: it does flush the inflator valve perfectly! But other than that, it's an exercise in frustration. Filling a BCD bladder (to rinse the inside) through the tiny orifice of the inflator valve takes FOREVER. And you have to stand there depressing the inflation button waiting for it to fill, so you can't just unscrew a dump valve, turn on the hose, walk away and let it flush.
Also, it doesn't flush the exhaust side of the valve any better than holding the valve open under a faucet.
Sad to say, I used mine only twice and then quit. Now, I hold the valve under a faucet and watch for squirting out of the bcd connection with the button depressed. I unscrew a butt dump and partially fill the wing bladder super fast with the faucet. I slosh around some "BCD Life" and let it sit. I rinse the exhalation valve by emptying the bcd, and then add a little air for storage.
My toy sits unused, because the limiting factor isn't the garden hose. It's the 1mm orifice of the inflator's Schrader (or other) valve. I guess the best of both worlds would be to use both techniques. Alas, I'm now usually at the bathtub faucet inside at night after a dive, and not outside with a hose after my frustrating trial of what initially looked to be a great invention.

 

[divezonescuba]

Take a look at this video:


I also use the exorbitantly priced Atomic Titanium inflator for my tech wings based on what I have seen with the k valves. However, if you do go the k valve route, be aware that there are different types.

 

[loosenit2]

I thought so too, and bought two! One for my wife and one for me. You're right on one count: it does flush the inflator valve perfectly! But other than that, it's an exercise in frustration. Filling a BCD bladder (to rinse the inside) through the tiny orifice of the inflator valve takes FOREVER. And you have to stand there depressing the inflation button waiting for it to fill, so you can't just unscrew a dump valve, turn on the hose, walk away and let it flush.
Also, it doesn't flush the exhaust side of the valve any better than holding the valve open under a faucet.
Sad to say, I used mine only twice and then quit. Now, I hold the valve under a faucet and watch for squirting out of the bcd connection with the button depressed. I unscrew a butt dump and partially fill the wing bladder super fast with the faucet. I slosh around some "BCD Life" and let it sit. I rinse the exhalation valve by emptying the bcd, and then add a little air for storage.
My toy sits unused, because the limiting factor isn't the garden hose. It's the 1mm orifice of the inflator's Schrader (or other) valve. I guess the best of both worlds would be to use both techniques. Alas, I'm now usually at the bathtub faucet inside at night after a dive, and not outside with a hose after my frustrating trial of what initially looked to be a great invention.

interesting that is a problem for you, is not for me at all. when I hook up water and inflate bladder it fills with water rather quickly and allows me to rinse out bladder very fast. water pressure issue?

 

[tursiops]

I thought so too, and bought two! One for my wife and one for me. You're right on one count: it does flush the inflator valve perfectly! But other than that, it's an exercise in frustration. Filling a BCD bladder (to rinse the inside) through the tiny orifice of the inflator valve takes FOREVER. And you have to stand there depressing the inflation button waiting for it to fill, so you can't just unscrew a dump valve, turn on the hose, walk away and let it flush.
Also, it doesn't flush the exhaust side of the valve any better than holding the valve open under a faucet.
Sad to say, I used mine only twice and then quit. Now, I hold the valve under a faucet and watch for squirting out of the bcd connection with the button depressed. I unscrew a butt dump and partially fill the wing bladder super fast with the faucet. I slosh around some "BCD Life" and let it sit. I rinse the exhalation valve by emptying the bcd, and then add a little air for storage.
My toy sits unused, because the limiting factor isn't the garden hose. It's the 1mm orifice of the inflator's Schrader (or other) valve. I guess the best of both worlds would be to use both techniques. Alas, I'm now usually at the bathtub faucet inside at night after a dive, and not outside with a hose after my frustrating trial of what initially looked to be a great invention.

No reason to go through a Shraeder valve to clean the inflator. Use one of these Valve Flusher , Piranha Dive Shop | and force full hose pressure through the inflator and into the bladder.

 

[JackD342]

No reason to go through a Shraeder valve to clean the inflator. Use one of these Valve Flusher , Piranha Dive Shop | and force full hose pressure through the inflator and into the bladder.

The one linked to by @rsingler also does not have a Schrader valve in it, I use one all the time. Perhaps he is referring to a Schrader in his inflator?

 

[happy-diver]

Keep your gear wet and you don't have to rinse anything

 

[JackD342]

FYI: retail on the Aqualung Power Inflator service kit is $14.

 

[Sneruh]

I thought so too, and bought two! One for my wife and one for me. You're right on one count: it does flush the inflator valve perfectly! But other than that, it's an exercise in frustration. Filling a BCD bladder (to rinse the inside) through the tiny orifice of the inflator valve takes FOREVER. And you have to stand there depressing the inflation button waiting for it to fill, so you can't just unscrew a dump valve, turn on the hose, walk away and let it flush.
Also, it doesn't flush the exhaust side of the valve any better than holding the valve open under a faucet.
Sad to say, I used mine only twice and then quit. Now, I hold the valve under a faucet and watch for squirting out of the bcd connection with the button depressed. I unscrew a butt dump and partially fill the wing bladder super fast with the faucet. I slosh around some "BCD Life" and let it sit. I rinse the exhalation valve by emptying the bcd, and then add a little air for storage.
My toy sits unused, because the limiting factor isn't the garden hose. It's the 1mm orifice of the inflator's Schrader (or other) valve. I guess the best of both worlds would be to use both techniques. Alas, I'm now usually at the bathtub faucet inside at night after a dive, and not outside with a hose after my frustrating trial of what initially looked to be a great invention.

 

[Sneruh]

I have a hose that i can connect to the quick release valve on the Aqualung Pro HD power inflator. I read that flushing water through it helps keep it clean. Is this good practice, unnecessary or not recommended if it could damage the internal valve? I emailed Aqualung, but no answer.

 

[Dark Wolf]

Keep your gear wet and you don't have to rinse anything

Thoughts on the relationship between frequency of use versus failures?

DW