Drysuit LP Inflator Hose

[dusty61]

Hello,
I am new to drysuit diving, I just bought a used drysuit - its a a bare drysuit. I needed a hose so I went to my LDS and said that all drysuit hoses have to be ordered in specifically for the suit. I was under the impression that all the hoses are the same (same connection as in my BCD) From what I see online, you can get a generic hose and I think the dive shop is full of $hit. Can someone tell me if this is a specialty item or not??

Thanks!
Dustin

 

[Bubbletrubble]

There are some older drysuits that use a CEJN connection to the drysuit inflater valve.
Most modern drysuits use either the Apeks or Si-tech drysuit inflater valve.
Both of these work with a "normal" QD LP inflater hose. It's the same connector for a standard BCD power inflater.

Two issues that you'll want to pay attention to when it comes to a drysuit inflater hose:

• Length of the LP inflater hose - my drysuit hoses measure 30-32 inches in length. The hose needs to reach comfortably from your LP port on the first stage reg to your drysuit inflater valve (center of your chest).
• Ease of disconnecting the hose while wearing thick gloves - my drysuit hoses have either the Dive Rite "butterfly" plastic wings or the Si-tech ribbed plastic grippy surface near the collar. Other drysuit hoses (DUI, etc.) have a built-in metal collar that makes it easy to detach. Alternatively, you can install an inexpensive plastic flange release ("hose hat") on top of a standard knurled connector.

I recommend ordering the drysuit inflater hose online. You'll get better pricing this way. In the past, I've spent $25-$40 for a drysuit LP inflater hose.

Hope this helps...

 

[dusty61]

Yeah thanks - my drysuit is the same connector as my bcd and every other dive shop stocks them so i think the dive shop i initially went to is full of it

 

[Peter Guy]

As far as I know, there are two basic inflators and you need a hose that will fit THAT inflator -- just as you need a hose that will fit the specific wing inflator. HOWEVER, again, as far as I know, you don't need a special hose for each suit -- if I did, I'd be in trouble when I change suits! I just find a hose that fits and use it.

 

[FWADIVER]

If its the basic LP inflator you can just use any lp inflator hose that will reach. You can get a special drysuit hose that has a flow restrictor in it to prevent runaways in the case of a stuck valve and that may be what they were talking about.