BC service question

Soakedlontra · Nov 16, 2012

I know that the standard rule for a regulator is to service it every year. Is there such a rule for a BC as well? My BC (wing) is several years old and works fine. Is it necessary to service it regardless of its working conditions?

cheers

decompression · Nov 16, 2012

There is nothing wrong with having it serviced by a qualified technician. Although, bcds are quite simple and if you are comfortable with it, a thorough self service is easy.

redacted · Nov 16, 2012

With good user care, technician servicing may never be needed. The bladder should be drained and rinsed with FW occasionally. The inflator needs to be flushed with FW after each SW dive trip. Mine only gets more serious service when a problem (leak) occurs.

Dr. Lecter · Nov 16, 2012

To the above I would add occasionally removing, cleaning, and re-lubing the OPV. Rebuilding the inflator every year, especially if it's seeing salt water, seems prudent.

Zung · Nov 17, 2012

After every trip, I unscrew the OPV's, fill the BC's with fresh water, let them soak over night, drain and dry. No other actions required for at least 5 - 10 years or until the fabric delamilates.

spectrum · Nov 17, 2012

If you are doing a good rinse after every dive day there should be no need for scheduled professional service.

Keep an eye on things for worn pull dump strings and an wear and tear. The inflater valve will probably need attention every 100 dives or so. This little tool lets you get in there to clean and lube at the first sign of sluggishness or sooner.

Personally, I do not take any pull dump valves apart for routine service. Faithful rinsing has always kept them in good order and there are too many stories of mis-assembly, lost parts or even jumping in without reinstalling a valve.

Pete

TSandM · Nov 17, 2012

I'll confess . . . I don't service my inflators until they begin to leak. Most of the time, it's a leak out around the inflator button, but once in a while, it's a slow leak into the wing. You can only rebuild the inflators a few times -- they're made of very soft brass, and you will eventually score it enough so the o-rings won't seal. But if you are using a standard wing, the replacements units from Trident are only about $35 or $40.

spectrum · Nov 17, 2012

On sale! Put one in your save-a-dive and service the fussy one at your convenience

Dr. Lecter · Nov 17, 2012

TSandM:
You can only rebuild the inflators a few times -- they're made of very soft brass, and you will eventually score it enough so the o-rings won't seal.

Hey, some of us love our old H SS inflators and will rebuild them forever

wedivebc · Nov 17, 2012

Dr. Lecter:
Hey, some of us love our old H SS inflators and will rebuild them forever

Or at least until the button comes shooting out during a dive and causing you to soil your drysuit

BC service question

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Soakedlontra

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decompression

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redacted

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Dr. Lecter

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Zung

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spectrum

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TSandM

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spectrum

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Dr. Lecter

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wedivebc

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