Zeagle Ranger Inflator Issue

[mrjones]

During my last dive, at about 20 fsw, I noticed that my air was counting down about 1psi/sec. I had my buddy check for leaks and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. After a while, I heard a flapping noise which sounded like my BC was overinflated and letting out the excess air. I didn't connect the two until I was cleaning my gear at home and noticed that there was absolutely no water in my BC - which leads me to believe that the leak was my inflator hose constantly inflating my BC.

Has anyone had this issue? or have any suggestions? I have a spare LP hose but do you guys think the problem is more likely the inflator?

Thanks a bunch!

Now that I'm finally settled in again, I'm hoping to be on the board more!

 

[redacted]

During my last dive, at about 20 fsw, I noticed that my air was counting down about 1psi/sec. I had my buddy check for leaks and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. After a while, I heard a flapping noise which sounded like my BC was overinflated and letting out the excess air. I didn't connect the two until I was cleaning my gear at home and noticed that there was absolutely no water in my BC - which leads me to believe that the leak was my inflator hose constantly inflating my BC.

Has anyone had this issue? or have any suggestions? I have a spare LP hose but do you guys think the problem is more likely the inflator?

Thanks a bunch!

Now that I'm finally settled in again, I'm hoping to be on the board more!

The hose is not the problem. If air is leaking into your BC, the inflator is the problem.

 

[tiburon72157]

hook the system up overnight to see if the inflator is the issue. if it is, you will have air in your bc in the morning. it could be the inflator, oring or seal in the adapter, etc. so have your lds check it out thoroughly. i eventually replaced the stock inflator with an atomic ss1.

 

[mrjones]

I'll try that tonight. Thanks.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Sounds like you may have sand, salt build up, or some other foreign substance in the schrader valve. This would cause the inflate button to stick a little, which would fill your BC. The power inflator is servicable, and a Zeagle dealer should be able to take care of it for you.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[miesemer]

which leads me to believe that the leak was my inflator hose constantly inflating my BC.

Were you constantly exhausting your BC to keep yourself from shooting to the surface? If so, consider having your inflator serviced. The parts are cheap and it only takes a few minutes to do.

If not, read on...

I noticed that my air was counting down about 1psi/sec.

This rate would have given you nearly 50 minutes of dive time on an aluminum 80 filled to 3000 psi. Without knowing which cylinder you were diving or how hard you were working, I'd say this sounds like it could just be your air consumption. However, assuming it was an aluminum 80, you'd have an RMV of about .94 cf/min which may be a little high depending on the dive conditions.


To rule out a leak:
I suggest submerging your bc in water with a cylinder attached and look, listen and feel for any signs of leakage from the inflator (bubbles or bladder inflating), low pressure hose and the connections at the first stage.

 

[crpntr133]

Were you constantly exhausting your BC to keep yourself from shooting to the surface? If so, consider having your inflator serviced. The parts are cheap and it only takes a few minutes to do.

If not, read on...

I thought the same thing. If you didn't play rocket man it doesn't sound like the valve.

The hose leaking but not into the bladder, possible.

 

[BuoyantC]

I experienced a slow inflator leak causing a gradual inflation of my Aeris (which uses a very similar inflator valve insert). When servicing the inflator valve it noticed I had a crack in the o-ring on the inner end of the button shaft allowing air to flow through.

Since there were no service parts available locally, I matched up the o-ring size at a hardware store and replaced it. WRONG!! I'm guessing the durometer of the original part is higher than standard buna o-rings. It worked fine on the surface, but at depth the first time I added air, the button stuck wide open. I quickly disconnected the inflator hose. Later upon inspection, I could see that the softer o-ring would deform and prevent the valve from closing.

When servicing the inflator valve on my Ranger, I noticed it too used a harder o-ring on the button shaft. Best bet is to get the Zeagle parts and/or have a qualified tech service it.

Dennis

 

[Puffer Fish]

Saw the very same thing on a Ranger two days ago - this one was new and was not corrected by cleaning, replacing the valve or any other method anyone, including a repair person tried.

I have the BP/W version, with a Ranger bag and the same inflator, and mine leaks outside, through the square area, where the Zeagle logo is, right below the inflator button. Neither replacement parts, nor cleaning (first ocean dive with it, after two spring dives) have made any efffect on it.

On the surface, it appears these both are due to some sort of crack or flaw in the frame that hold everything, but have not seen that for a fact.

During my last dive, at about 20 fsw, I noticed that my air was counting down about 1psi/sec. I had my buddy check for leaks and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. After a while, I heard a flapping noise which sounded like my BC was overinflated and letting out the excess air. I didn't connect the two until I was cleaning my gear at home and noticed that there was absolutely no water in my BC - which leads me to believe that the leak was my inflator hose constantly inflating my BC.

Has anyone had this issue? or have any suggestions? I have a spare LP hose but do you guys think the problem is more likely the inflator?

Thanks a bunch!

Now that I'm finally settled in again, I'm hoping to be on the board more!

 

[IceBergSlim]

Once I had to toss a Zeagle inflator. It got stuck and I decided to not take the risk.

/well after a few shots of wd40 still proved no results