If you have sand in your va.......

[Pullmyfinger]

I have a couple of Halcyon SMBs, and one of them didn't hold air.
I searched and read a few threads asking about this problem, but most concluded with suggestions to send it to the factory.

I'm not one to send stuff back to the manufacturer, I'd rather solve the problem myself.

I determined that the cause was sand in my valve.

It's supposed to be a one-way valve, but a grain of sand caused my valve to allow air to pass through both ways.

I opted to secure everything with zip ties rather than try and re-use the original clamps.
The factory clamps are a fuel hose type of clamp that takes a special type of pliers. The metal clamps are covered in shrink wrap to prevent chafing when the SMB is rolled and stowed.

Using plastic zip ties, makes for a smoother finished repair, and doesn't require wrapping with shrink wrap.

I used needle nose pliers to remove the original clamps.

Hopefully the pictures will help someone in the future.

Now my SMB holds air like it's supposed to. Nobody wants a saggy sausage.

Cheers,
Mitch

 

[TSandM]

Nice! Thanks for posting this; it would never have occurred to me to take one apart.

 

[BluewaterSail]

I have to say that I have wondered what they put under that lumpy shrink wrap, but never had the courage to find out!

Thanks for the education Mitch!

 

[Pullmyfinger]

You're welcome!

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I would use waxed line and tie constrictor knots, before I trusted plastic zip ties.. I don't trust them on my mouth piece, BC connectors etc...

 

[knotical]

I would use waxed line and tie constrictor knots, before I trusted plastic zip ties.. I don't trust them on my mouth piece, BC connectors etc...

Constrictor knots vary in effectiveness depending on materials involved, relative diameters, conscientious tying, and how available the line ends are to snagging. For this application, my preferences would be quality zip ties first (carefully trimmed and smoothed), electrician's flat lacing tape second, and either constrictor knots or those metal clamps further down the list.

 

[HenrikBP]

Thanks Mitch, very nice write-up. I wonder if "Cobra" type zip-ties would make for a secure enough connection? They'd "streamline" the connection even more:

Cable Ties from Cobra Cable Tie Co, your source for low profile and other cable ties.

 

[Hank49]

I would use waxed line and tie constrictor knots, before I trusted plastic zip ties.. I don't trust them on my mouth piece, BC connectors etc...

spearfishermen.....

I think Knotical is onto something. Constrictor knots work with a resistance pushing back against it....like the rubber on a speargun band.

 

[Dsix36]

You can always use a pair of side cutters to crimp those clamps back on if you do not have the right tool. Just don't squeeze so hard that you cut them in half.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I would use waxed line and tie constrictor knots, before I trusted plastic zip ties.. I don't trust them on my mouth piece, BC connectors etc...

The same as spear gun bands. Great idea!
These won't compress like bands will, so it might not hold as well as wishbones do, but it's worth a try.

---------- Post added May 18th, 2013 at 12:54 PM ----------

Thanks Mitch, very nice write-up. I wonder if "Cobra" type zip-ties would make for a secure enough connection? They'd "streamline" the connection even more:

Cable Ties from Cobra Cable Tie Co, your source for low profile and other cable ties.

Thanks Henrik,

I'll try and find something similar here locally. I'm currently using the standard zip ties. Those Cobra Ties would be much better than what I'm currently using.