Cleaning liquid zipper wax, and showing more love to my exhaust valve.

[kr2y5]

I accidentally dripped some liquid zipper wax over my shoulder dump valve. Not sure how much, if any, got inside, but given how the valve keeps me alive, I paused to think how to make sure it stays nice and clean. I know silicon and grease in the proximity of the valve is a big no-no, not sure about dried-out wax. I thought of taking the valve apart, but my DIY book warns me against it: "Exhaust valves (...) employ snap-together or press fit (...) disassembling one without damaging it is a matter of knowing just where to push, and how hard". Any ideas?

How do you care for the exhaust valve, to begin with? I realize I have not been expressing much love and gratitude to this essential piece of equipment. Not even sure how to, considering there's no place to plug in liquid or air to flush it with... A warm water soak unpressurized, after each dive? A pressurized soak, Michelin-man style? Partial disassembly every now and then? Any tips for disassembly? Or does your dump valve not require much love?

 

[Ken T]

Here is a link to a Si Tech valve manual:

http://www.sitech.se/media/40266/valve-manual_2013_web.pdf

I have taken my valves apart with minimal fuss.
Was shown how to while taking a PADI Equipment specialist course.


Plenty of links and photos/videos online after a google search.

 

[TSandM]

I have taken the SiTech exhaust valves apart, but the newest model doesn't seem to be put together the way the old ones were. They're not complicated, but they ARE snapped together with plastic parts, and wouldn't be hard to break if you went about things wrong. Of course, if the valve is leaking badly or not venting, you have little to lose by trying.

I don't do a whole lot with my dump valves. Periodically, I soak them overnight in fresh water to get rid of any salt that may have accumulated despite the exterior rinsing I do. You can also put water through them from the inside, if they get grit or particulates stuck.

 

[kr2y5]

Here is a link to a Si Tech valve manual: http://www.sitech.se/media/40266/valve-manual_2013_web.pdf I have taken my valves apart with minimal fuss. Was shown how to while taking a PADI Equipment specialist course. Plenty of links and photos/videos online after a google search.

I take it that the course was worth your time? Sounds like I should consider... thanks for the tip.

I have taken the SiTech exhaust valves apart, but the newest model doesn't seem to be put together the way the old ones were. They're not complicated, but they ARE snapped together with plastic parts, and wouldn't be hard to break if you went about things wrong. Of course, if the valve is leaking badly or not venting, you have little to lose by trying.

Mine is Apeks. I am inclined to try and open it, just wondering if there are any known tricks to avoid breaking it...

I don't do a whole lot with my dump valves. Periodically, I soak them overnight in fresh water to get rid of any salt that may have accumulated despite the exterior rinsing I do. You can also put water through them from the inside, if they get grit or particulates stuck.

This may be a silly question, but certainly not the last one I am going to ask, so what the hell... it sounds like unlike scuba regulators, water getting into the exhaust valve is not an issue at all, and one can just soak the whole thing, or the individual parts, unpressurized in fresh water for an extended period? I didn't expect that, I assumed there's a brass piston inside, and the same rules apply as for handling regulators.

 

[Ken T]

Apeks:

http://www.apeks.co.uk/images/downloads/owners_manuals/Low_Profile_Dump_Valve_Owners_Manual.pdf

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...eyzkGL-mafWNbrZS-Mvx13A&bvm=bv.77880786,d.cGE

The last link is for a 2006 technician manual.


The Equipment course was valuable to me.
It was taught by an instructor that is considered by many as the best service tech in the city.

Like any scuba course, it is highly dependant on the instructor.