Where to buy a new Inflator?

[Ragnar]

Hello everyone. I have an older, off brand, jacket BC that needs a new inflator valve. I've searched a bunch of sites so far, and come up with nada. Since I don't even know who made this thing, where could I get a good valve to fit to it? Is the fitting on the shoulder of most BCs the same size and thread? If I need to replace the whole hose assy. that's fine, but I want something that's a proven design and will be easy to operate with thick gloves. Thanks!!

 

[RDP]

Hello everyone. I have an older, off brand, jacket BC that needs a new inflator valve. I've searched a bunch of sites so far, and come up with nada. Since I don't even know who made this thing, where could I get a good valve to fit to it? Is the fitting on the shoulder of most BCs the same size and thread? If I need to replace the whole hose assy. that's fine, but I want something that's a proven design and will be easy to operate with thick gloves. Thanks!!

I've found that calling and talking directly to shop staff and manufacturers of these items work much better than searching on the net. The net is great, but it's not to the point everyone is using it. I would bet there is a common manufacturer of the valve you are looking for, probably, used on many of the brand names out there.

--Good Luck

 

[Damselfish]

This is the time to visit a good dive shop, especially one that's been around awhile. They should know what will work and who knows what they will have in the proverbial parts bin.

I once had a inflator slowly inflating a BC, turns out sand or something had put a long scratch in the metal core inside. Took it into a shop and he comes up with a used inflator same model that was replaced for a different problem. Diagnosed and swapped out the offending part and charged me $5. (Good LDS service!

 

[SkyChi]

Try this, http://www.diveriteexpress.com/bcs/aircells.shtml . Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the components listings. I'm sure there are many other sources but this one came to mind. The advice about going to a LDS should work for you though and you might meet a new diving connection along the way. I usually try to keep it local unless the pain just gets too great.
SkyChi