Replacing Low Pressure Inflator

[darylm74]

I had to have my Low Pressure Inflator replaced while on vacation and that was used was zip-ties to reconnect it. It has been bubbling pretty good so I checked my old inflator and that there was some sealant on it. A dive budy of mine told me it was RTV, but was unsure if it was a special kind or not. The stuff on my old inflator was black, so my assumption is that it was basic black RTV. Could someone please confirm this for me? If not what should I be using?

Thanks

Daryl

 

[redacted]

Many of mine had some tan rubbery goo aiding the seal. I've always been able to get a good seal with just one or 2 zip ties when I have had to replace something on the corrugated hose. When one doesn't seal, I add a second up close to the first with the connector about 180 off.

 

[MarcG]

There are several things you can use. The key is to use them very sparingly! Just a thin coat. RTV silicone will work. I've also seen silicone for aquariums used as well as rubber cement. Remember the key here is to use it very lightly.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

As indicated above, a sealer is not really needed if two zip ties are used and are offset at least 90 degrees. The offset is important. It looks "neater" if you align them with each other, but that leaves the small gaps under the locking part of the ties aligned as well and air can leak out the channel that is created. Staggering them around the hose by 90 degrees or so, prevents that from happening and ensures a leak free seal.

If you use a sealer, just keep it simple and use generic rubber cement in the brown bottle with the little brush. It seals but does not stick things together so tightly that dissassembly is overly difficult. The connection between hose and inflator is one that you want to be secure, but not permanent.

 

[darylm74]

Thanks. I looked at the shop that installed it didn't offset the zipties more than 5 degrees so I am betting that is the issue. I will start with the two zipties off 90 degrees and if that doesn't work I will use the rubber cement. (Oh the fond memory of rubber cement, and the hair from the girl next door. Luckily she liked me and said the bottle fell on her head when she went under the table to get a piece of construction paper she dropped. Her mom knew better....I think.)

Thanks again for the hints.

 

[Hoosier]

I had to have my Low Pressure Inflator replaced while on vacation and that was used was zip-ties to reconnect it. It has been bubbling pretty good so I checked my old inflator and that there was some sealant on it. A dive budy of mine told me it was RTV, but was unsure if it was a special kind or not. The stuff on my old inflator was black, so my assumption is that it was basic black RTV. Could someone please confirm this for me? If not what should I be using?

Thanks

Daryl

Yes, you are almost there...

It is "Loctite 598 Black - High Performance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker"