Ideas to make 3/4" hole for P-valve install?

[Peter_C]

I punched the hole in my Fusion to install my H valve with a hole punch kit. Not sure of the brand of the hole punch kit as I have owned it for 15+ years, but it is definitely not from Harbor Freight, and not Snap-on either. I didn't want to beat on the other side of my suit so I clamped a 2x4 in my vise, and slide the suit over it, so all the force was directed to my vise/tool box not the other side of the suit. I was then able to whale on it with my larger steel hammer. Took a decent amount of force to penetrate the Fusion inner shell.

 

[NJMike]

I may very well have to do that. I could even use the 1/2" copper pipe...which is more like 5/8" diameter...and then just trim it out larger with scissors if need be.

Thanks again.

I've also sent an email to both Waterproof and Halcyon, asking them how they feel about using a silicone sealer instead of the aquaseal that comes with the Halcyon P-valve.

 

[TSandM]

I have used both the gasket method and the silicone sealer with Halcyon valves. It works fine. It is a PITA to Aquaseal the valve on, especially if you ever discard the suit and have to throw away a perfectly good valve because you can't get it off in a fashion that leaves it usable.

 

[Doppler]

Last one I installed was a different size... not sure if it was a .45 or a 9mm cartridge... but it worked.










No, I did not shoot my suit, silly.

 

[Peter_C]

I used a neoprene gasket from Home Depot on my pee valve. So far it has been leak free, which I can't say for the H valve itself. Halcyon sent me replacement seals though so next time out will be a test, or at least the next time I don't hook it up and accidentally open the valve underwater.

 

[NJMike]

Halcyon replied to my email immediately and said silicone sealer would not work with the material - Delrin - that my suit is made of. I tried to verify the suit material but was not able (yet).

 

[bkbomb123]

I have a Diverite P valve. I too used a 6" peice of 1/2" I.D L copper tube which is 5/8" O.D. I filed the edges to make it beveled and sharp. I also put a 1/2" female copper adapter on the other end with a 1/2" x 2" galvanized nipple screwed into adapter and cap. Heat the beveled end up with a propane torch and punch through suit using hammer on capped end. Like mentioned before use block of wood on inside suit .Goes through like butter and makes a clean hole with no frayed ends. You can also used the heated end to widen the hole.

 

[SeaCobra]

Last one I installed was a different size... not sure if it was a .45 or a 9mm cartridge... but it worked.










No, I did not shoot my suit, silly.

Glad you clarified that Steve! And I am assuming you used a spent cartridge?

 

[NJMike]

Peter_C, not sure about those Halcyon seals you said they sent you. My Halcyon P-valve has no seals, at least none that I can see. I think you can replace the internal check valve...is that what you meant?

bkbomb123, yeah, I like that idea. The 5/8" hole might have been right for your valve, but the Halcyon is 1/8" wider so I will still have to widen it with scissors.

I like the idea of the female adapter on top, but sometimes it's good for the male to be on top. Wait...what are we talking about?

 

[Aqua-Andy]

bkbomb123, yeah, I like that idea. The 5/8" hole might have been right for your valve, but the Halcyon is 1/8" wider so I will still have to widen it with scissors.

You are really stuck on the 3/4 hole. Unless you are installing the valve in a Newt suit the material will stretch around the threads and sit nicely around the shoulder at the base of the valve. Yes the silicone will not properly adhear to the Delrin material but it does not need to because the clamping force of the valve screwed together provides most of the seal and all the silicone needs to do is fill in any small voids between the material and the valve.