Servicing Apeks drysuit inlet

[Stoo]

I have a 2-year old SANTI drysuit... the APEKS inlet valve has been "sticky" for some time... as in when I release the button, the air continues to flow for a moment. Recently, it stuck open, continuously filling the suit and requiring that I remove the hose. When I reconnected the hose, the valve was fine... or at least back to it's former state. Obviously this isn't a great situation!

Is this valve serviceable? By me, or a dealer? Can you suggest what it is that is sticking inside, and how would I go about servicing it? There isn't any obvious way to get to the guts of the valve.

 

[tbone1004]

it's serviceable.
http://frogkick.dk/manuals/apeks/
manual there.

really simple. not sure where to get a parts kit for it, but it's just 4 o-rings iirc and they are standard sizes that you should have in your toolbox. function is identical to your wing inflators, and the servicing isn't much different.

 

[Stoo]

Cool.... Conveniently, one of my LDSs is an APEKS dealer (and I taught him to dive a few decades ago) so if I need any parts, he should be able to get them. I suspect the valve just got a little saltwater in it somewhere along the way.

 

[tbone1004]

yeah. I'd take it apart, clean it, and lube everything up. If the o-rings still look/feel good, they should be fine for reassembly.