Scubapro AirII + another brand's BC?
- Thread starter Vie
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A lot of BC's (most) use the same diameter hose as the SP Air 2. That was pretty much the standard diameter until some mfg's started getting the urge to go with smaller diameter hoses, most of which leave a lot to be desired from a practical standpoint.
Until about 2 weeks ago, you could get adapters that allowed the Air 2 to be attached to smaller hoses. But they were recalled due to some sort of problem and I am not sure when they will be made available again.
Another option is to replace your entire inflator hose/dump valve assembly with one using the standard diameter hose. This is normally easy to do as the hole in the BC is still normally the same standard diameter.
A less drastic option in some cases is to modify your existing dump valve to accomodate a larger diameter hose. This can be done by obtaining a short lenght of clear vinyl tubing of the appropriate diameter (outside diameter of the tubing matching the inside diameter of the larger hose) from the local hardware store, heating it with a hair dryer (as the ID of the tubing is normally just a bit too snug to slide on the hose fitting with out heating), then sliding it on the corrogated hose connection on your dump valve assembly and then trimming it flush with the end of the fitting. This will increase the diameter of the fitting to the diameter needed to fit a standard size hose which is then secured with zip ties in the normal manner.
Until about 2 weeks ago, you could get adapters that allowed the Air 2 to be attached to smaller hoses. But they were recalled due to some sort of problem and I am not sure when they will be made available again.
Another option is to replace your entire inflator hose/dump valve assembly with one using the standard diameter hose. This is normally easy to do as the hole in the BC is still normally the same standard diameter.
A less drastic option in some cases is to modify your existing dump valve to accomodate a larger diameter hose. This can be done by obtaining a short lenght of clear vinyl tubing of the appropriate diameter (outside diameter of the tubing matching the inside diameter of the larger hose) from the local hardware store, heating it with a hair dryer (as the ID of the tubing is normally just a bit too snug to slide on the hose fitting with out heating), then sliding it on the corrogated hose connection on your dump valve assembly and then trimming it flush with the end of the fitting. This will increase the diameter of the fitting to the diameter needed to fit a standard size hose which is then secured with zip ties in the normal manner.
And the new Atomic SS1 comes with 3 adapters to fit any hose. Unlike the "add on" scubapro one, they replace the actualy tube the hose attaches to. Pretty nice system.
liberato
Guest
Are the corrugated hoses always a standardized length for the various manufacturers? I wish I could get one with 3 or 4 more inches...
ScottZeagle
Contributor
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No. Zeagle sells these hoses in 16, 19, and 23 inches.
caveseeker7
Contributor
At 6'2'' I needed an extended hose in order to be able to turn my head and look ahead on ascent. Zeagle provided the extended hose for my Ranger/Octo+ within a week.ScottZeagle:
caveseeker7:At 6'2'' I needed an extended hose in order to be able to turn my head and look ahead on ascent. Zeagle provided the extended hose for my Ranger/Octo+ within a week.
You can also get an Oceanic AirXS (same function) complete, in lengths of 2" variations. I think they start at 14" and go to 24". In any case, I'm 6'0" and the last one we got at the shop was WAY too long for me, so they should have lengths to fit anyone.
Installation is as simple as unscrewing your entire inflator assembly from the shoulder of your BC and replacing it with the entire AirXS assembly.
liberato
Guest
Do I have to make my own dump cable or do they come with a longer one?ScottZeagle:
android
Contributor
liberato:
I asked them that already. Here was the answer.
If you change the corrugated hose, you also need the longer cable which has to be crimped into the RE valve at the factory. For this reason you have to get the whole RE and Corrugated hose assembly. Your Zeagle Dealer would order the 23" corrugated outer hose as part number 165-1018. He would order the RE with the longer cable as part number 111-9000L. He would specify 23" for the RE.
liberato
Guest
Thanks much! I wish Zeagle had that kind of info on their web page.
