Power Inflator Button Leaking

[Michael Guerrero]

Need some help with this one. I noticed my inflator button on my power inflator was leaking on a dive today. It leaked the entire dive from HP to LP. I took it apart and didn't see any buildup to speak of and the o-rings on all the pieces look good.

Any thoughts?

Here's a pic of the button assembly.

 

[TracyN]

The answer is simple. Just get a new inflator. They aren't all that expensive. Probably 30 bucks for the whole thing. They do go bad after a while. Also there might have been some sand stuck inside.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

Thanks Tracy, but I could have come up with that one myself . I found a kit on DGX for $5 that has the inflator tool and replacement o-rings, so I think I'll give that a whirl and see if it works. Replacing the entire inflator just seems like quiting, and I try not to be a quitter, especially on account of a couple o-rings.

 

[tursiops]

https://www.divegearexpress.com/bcs/bcdparts.shtml#2583

 

[TracyN]

LoL! I surprise even myself sometimes with my sage advice. Good luck.

 

[redacted]

Thanks Tracy, but I could have come up with that one myself . I found a kit on DGX for $5 that has the inflator tool and replacement o-rings, so I think I'll give that a whirl and see if it works. Replacing the entire inflator just seems like quiting, and I try not to be a quitter, especially on account of a couple o-rings.

Good for you.

For $35 I would order the kit and a spare inflator. But do remove the o-rings and inspect then under magnification. It does not take much of a defect to get a small leak. Also take a very close liik at the hrad sealing surfaces. And then lube it up and reassemble just to see if you dislodged the problem during disassembly.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

Thanks all. I pulled off all the o-rings and lubed them. I think that will do it, the action is smooth now and it was sticky before. I'm going to order the $5 kit anyway, because my needle-knose pliers don't need to be used like that again, and it is just handy to have the tool and right o-rings. Will hook it up to my tanks later and see if it worked. Lesson learned for me is that a leaking button is probably a stuck button in the making.

 

[tursiops]

Yeah, fix the old one if you can, but carry a spare with you. Just $15!
https://www.divegearexpress.com/bcs/bcdparts.shtml#419

 

[TSandM]

I've managed to stop leaks a few times by cleaning the whole assembly and lubing it, and also by replacing the O-rings. But eventually the soft brass of the cylinder gets enough scratches from sand and from the service process that you can't stop the leak, and you have to replace the unit. We now keep spare units around, because if you don't have access to an ultrasonic cleaner, it's sometimes just better to replace it all.

 

[lemke]

I recently rebuilt mine... just because. Works like a champ! I bought the service kit and tool from DGX. One caveat to their "inflator tool"... the smaller hex hole is 3/8" and not the required 1/4" to remove/install the nipple.