Halcyon Dump Value String Replacement

[Bishop]

I checked out
http://dir-diver.com/en/equipment/dumpvalve_mod.html

but my valve has a hard plastic end and I don't know how to get it out so I can access the spring/rubber seal. Anyone have any ideas?

[globaldiver]

Send Peter Steinhoff a private message. I think it is his web site.

You can find him a couple of posts further down on general tek discussions.

Sincerely

Anders

[wb416]

mark3397 once bubbled...
I checked out
http://dir-diver.com/en/equipment/dumpvalve_mod.html

but my valve has a hard plastic end and I don't know how to get it out so I can access the spring/rubber seal. Anyone have any ideas?

Just curious... why are you replacing the string?

bob

[Bishop]

It is the original style attachment to the wing - not how they are doing it now. I am replacing it because it is frayed and I don't want to be back in a cave with a broken dump string.

[wb416]

mark3397 once bubbled...
It is the original style attachment to the wing - not how they are doing it now. I am replacing it because it is frayed and I don't want to be back in a cave with a broken dump string.

gotcha... was curious since some feel the need to put bigger string on for drygloves when this really isn't necessary...

tx, bob

[Big-t-2538]

hmm...

One thing I noticed that I didn't like about the halcyon wing was that the dump was just a string....why isn't there something else to grab onto...like a platic ball or something....I just don't see that being an entanglement hazard...but I've been wrong befrore

[Wendy]

It is scene has an entanglement hazard when that little ball is there. Its a remotte chance, I think , that the ball could get the dump string wrapped around the main line, etc. When I may wearing gloves, lobstering, I use this find the dump with my hand, and move inward til I grab the string method.

[Soggy]

What about putting a small bead on the end...nothing as large as a ball on a traditional BC, but just a tapered bead. I can't see it possibly snagging anything more than the knot at the end!

[wb416]

Soggy once bubbled...
What about putting a small bead on the end...nothing as large as a ball on a traditional BC, but just a tapered bead. I can't see it possibly snagging anything more than the knot at the end!

Big T & Soggy...

Even in drygloves (which I use the majority of the year), having anything more than the small knots that the wing comes with on the exhaust valve string is unnecessary... ya just have to be willing to put in the time and practice to develop the muscle memory... (nothing comes for free :D )

BTW, my primary means of exhaust on ascent is the lower dump unless I'm overly task loaded (but I'm working on that :D )

bob

[Soggy]

wb416 once bubbled...
Even in drygloves (which I use the majority of the year), having anything more than the small knots that the wing comes with on the exhaust valve string is unnecessary... ya just have to be willing to put in the time and practice to develop the muscle memory... (nothing comes for free :D )


I also dive with dry gloves year round.

I have practiced it and can get it...but it takes time to find and pull, and frequently my finger slips off the string. In my opinion that makes *something* else necessary. I'm glad it works for you.

[bwerb]

Open your fingers wide as possible reach back palm to the valve and "cup" the plastic valve body. Close your fingers back together (flat or slightly cupped palm around the valve). You will have captured the string between two of your fingers. Then give the string a little twist (like twirling hair) and pull to the outside.

You will hit the string everytime and the little twist will give you more control. If you want, you can even "bend" the corner of the wing slightly as you roll a bit to aid the air shifting to the valve position.

Since we were shown this, we've never had a problem dumping with gloves again.

[Soggy]

bwerb once bubbled...
Open your fingers wide as possible reach back palm to the valve and "cup" the plastic valve body. Close your fingers back together (flat or slightly cupped palm around the valve). You will have captured the string between two of your fingers. Then give the string a little twist (like twirling hair) and pull to the outside.


This is exactly what I do and I'm still seriously considering putting something else on.

[Dr. Jay]

I've found the thing a pain to reach sometimes too....same worries as others.

I've seen a DIY website where they replaced the string with some cave line. How about tying a bigger knot in the end? Still an entanglement hazard?

I agree about the whole plastic knob thing. I don't exactly like the idea of reaching back and groping for a ball anyway.

[peter_steinhoff]

Guys,
the ball is not an entanglement hazard in itself. The problem is that it can get get stuck between two stages on the way down, making it impossible to inflate the wings. I've actually seen it happen myself.

Anyway, most wings have the standard $1 dumpvalve with a very thin cheap slippery polyester string (which makes sense if you have a ball attached).

By replacing it with caveline you get a better grip and you can feel the thicker line better, even with very thick drygloves. And without causing any other problems I might add.

This is of course not a substitute for good technique - it's a cold water adaptation and several GUE instructors do it to their wings (if it makes anybody feel better :-)

It actually works very well for divers without gloves too...

Best,
Peter Steinhoff
dir-diver.com

[Dr. Jay]

peter_steinhoff once bubbled...
the ball is not an entanglement hazard in itself. The problem is that it can get get stuck between two stages on the way down, making it impossible to inflate the wings. I've actually seen it happen myself.Ahh...makes sense. Feeling the thicker line would seem much easier.

I guess it wouldn't be too much of a problem on a single tank wing, considering you probably won't be carrying 2 stages. But we are talking about double tank wings here, right? :bonk:

Anyway, point well taken.