Inflator mystery problem

[wombat]

My girlfriend's power inflator (Dacor BC) has a strange habit. It works just fine on the surface, but down below (30 feet or more) nothing happens when the button is pushed. It can still be inflated by mouth, and the button will put a bit of air through sporadically if it is held out from her body a bit. I know the "correct" answer is "take it to your authorized dealer", but that hasn't worked so far, and we're curious if anybody has run into this problem.

 

[Scuba-Jay]

My girlfriend's power inflator (Dacor BC) has a strange habit. It works just fine on the surface, but down below (30 feet or more) nothing happens when the button is pushed. It can still be inflated by mouth, and the button will put a bit of air through sporadically if it is held out from her body a bit. I know the "correct" answer is "take it to your authorized dealer", but that hasn't worked so far, and we're curious if anybody has run into this problem.

Not sure what you mean by "that hasn't worked so far"....If a power inflator is no longer power inflating, then it ceases to be a power inflator and just becomes a black thing hanging off your BC. How old is the inflator? Still under warranty? Have you in fact taken it to an authorized technician? What did they say? You dont need me to tell you that your gf shouldn't be diving with this system until it gets fixed, right?:shakehead Not really sure what you are hoping to get from this post, as the only answer anyone can give is what you already know....take it to a tech!!

Good luck!

Jay

 

[Charlie99]

Never heard of this problem, but replacement inflators are pretty cheap.

Particularly in a case where the problem only happens under some circumstances, or if it isn't repeatable, the best solution is to simply throw it away.

 

[Diver0001]

That's weird, Wombat, but given that it's a Dacor I'm not personally that surprised. In the last 10-15 years or so Dacor has gone from being a successful "A" brand to being an unsuccessful "A" brand, so the subject of a dubious take-over and a good example of how to show the world how neglect, mismanagement and low-balling solutions can transform last year's "Miss America" into this year's "Ghetto Tramp". Personally (and I stress this is only a personal opinion) I think Mares did this to move Dacor out of the market.... I think 10 years from now Dacor may not even exist anymore....

As for what's happening with your G.F.'s inflator, it's certainly a matter of curiosity. I can't think of a single logical reason for something like that to happen.... If you're looking for a solution, don't....uhmm... screw around with stuff like this. Just replace it. There are good inflators (Seaquest, Aqualung,.... maybe even a Mares...LOL) that will fit the hose and are reliable and robust.

R..

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

and the button will put a bit of air through sporadically if it is held out from her body a bit.

This is part caught my eye. The inflator has a 'nipple' that goes up inside the LP hose Quick Disconnect and presses on a valve when the two are connected, right? Is it possible that the valve is only being opened properly when the inflator is not at an angle?

Have you tried this inflator with other LP hoses? Maybe it's the hose QD, not the inflator.

 

[Scuba-Jay]

I'm sorry to be a dick but come on.....take it to a tech...no one on this board should be giving you suggestions on what the cause might be...whats the point? Take it to a tech, have them diagnose the problem....if it can be fixed fine, if not, buy a new one. Simple solution here....

Jay

 

[wombat]

Jay:
I'm sorry you are too. But thanks to the rest of you, who actually had some ideas which may be useful when we take it in to a second shop. "Throw it way" is likely the ultimate solution.
Wombat

 

[Jimmer]

I had a Dacor BC that the deflate button stuck wide open on the power inflator on a 70 foot dive. My instructor and I tore it all down got all pissed off with how cheap it was overall, I ended up selling the BC, but I would recommend just replace the power inflator, the Dacor ones were pretty crappy.

 

[redacted]

At this point, I don't think you can tell whether the problem is in the inflator or in the LPI hose. So many techs are simply parts replacers rather than trouble shooters so you may just be wasting time and $$$ with the "take it to the tech" solution; especially when the symptoms only appear at depth.

At this point you either need to spend the $$$ for replacements or work on isolating the problem yourself.

 

[Thalassamania]

Aww ... just replace it with an AIR-II

No, really, the problem you describe is a new one to me.