This is what happens when you don't rinse out your BC

[jjjjeremy]

You find an old computer inside....

or just a massive salt crystal. I even had to break this one to get it out!

 

[j2s]

Interesting, more info ???......

 

[Tigerman]

LOL! How long didnt you rinse that for?? hahahaha

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Yep, I've rinsed some huge crystals out of used wings I've bought. What puzzles me is that the wing can grow the damn things without even trying, but if I try to make that rock sugar crystal candy stuff, it never works.

Hot freshwater rinse -- and I mean fill the wing, drain some out the inflator hose/nipple, blow wing back up, then thoroughly slosh the rest around for a couple minutes, then drain all of it out and fill with dry air -- after every dive is the only way to go. Clean the OPV off and give it a light silicone coat on its sealing rubber face every couple weeks, too. Rebuild the inflator and give the wing interior one of those BC rinse silicone treatments once a year or as needed. Wing will last for years and years.

 

[jjjjeremy]

I picked up the BC for a song along with a bunch of other dive stuff. Looks like the previous owner never cleaned it out!

The lot also came with a Poseidon Jetstream set in mint condition, and a Uwatec bottom timer (in photo, labeled Beuchat). All for $40! Now I just have to figure out how to crack open the timer to change battery.....

 

[Scared Silly]

Like Dr. Lecter I rinse mine after a trip and remove all the dump valves to let it dry out.

For OP - do a search on the bottom timer, the battery is not really user replaceable.

 

[jjjjeremy]

Yeah, I realized that it isn't easily changed. From what I understand I'd have to do a "hot swap" and keep whatever power is still on it while changing the battery. A lot of soldering magic that I can't do myself.

 

[neonstingray]

Yep, those old timers use volatile memory (stone age chip tech). The moment there isn't enough power across the main chip all the data is lost and you're left with a blank chip. This means if the battery is already completely dead is probably too late.

I consider myself pretty handy with electronics but for how cheaply older dive computers can be had now I never had the urge to put that much effort into dealing with those timers. Given that you got it for next to nothing though I suppose it's worth a shot if it isn't already completely dead.