Halcyon - precision inflator real problem or...?

[Dorota & Wojtek]

We would like to write a bit about the conservation of the H precision inflators (the ones from stainless steel) in the context of most common “problem” of sticking the inflation buttonhttp://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif We have experienced this sticking problem several times with several divers, so now after a while we are a bit familiar with the way to prevent it (as it is described in the manual) because in our opinion it is still very precise tool.

We have met with two conservation schools – one saying „grease everything what you can” and the other „leave everything clean and dry”.

We have tested both of them and it came out that the thread connection that is filled completely with grease takes in less debris then one not greased (in first case there is simply no space for any debris at all)http://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

For astute observers: the corrosion you might see on the elements shown on the pictures is practlically not possible to avoid – in Red Sea all parts are corroding including those from all kinds of “stainless steel” – so do not bother.

Conservation.

Optimal tools
- wrench/spanner (25mm)
- big screwdriver
- “zgłębnik dentystyczny” – hehehe –the tool dentists use tp poke in your teeth (or any other o-ring remover)
- ultrasound cleaner http://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
- silicone grease


As first small suggestion – we propose to screw the part holding the inflation button gently, so you can unsrew it only with your hands. But the fist time conservation will require the wrench/spanner 26mm and then your hands only...

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf1.jpg

And how it looks after unscrewing:

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf2.jpg

We can make two kinds of conservation of this element
Fast
Full

1 – Fast conservation
We would need for it a big syringe and a silikone grease.

After unscrewing the inflation button part, we push the inflation button while injecting the silicone into this hole (shown on the picture) untill it’s totally filled with silicone.http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf6.jpg

While injecting we can push/release the button several times.

But before the fast conservation we propose to make the full version (or more full a bit) at least once. We are making the fast conservation every 20-25 dives, normally the same time when we are lubricating the o-ring on inflation hoses or o-rings on second stages hoses (at then end connected to second stages).

2 – Full conservation

With the screwdirver unscrew the part from inside the part (shown on the picture).

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf3.jpg

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf10.jpg

It is good to push the inflation button while unscrewing. When we are not able to unscrew it (especially making it the first time), we can put something into the small hole that is on the inflation button to block its ax movements.

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf5.jpg

And here are parts we find inside:

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf4.jpg

When we plan to use ultrasound cleaner – we suggest to take away all o-rings http://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif (anyway it is good to take them away for cleaning any debris that could be under).

After cleaning all parts we put plenty of silicone grease inside.

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf7.jpg

..and then into the filled with silicone part we put back the „screw” or rather part of the „stearing valve” (the bolt with two small o-rings) – the excess of silicone will flow from the hole used for the fast conservation.

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf8.jpg

The silicone will cover also the threaded end of the bolt what will make it easer to unscrew later on while making any subsequesnt conservations.

http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/%7Efn/diw/hinf/inf9.jpg

Now we screw back the “screw” (the one on the bolt)http://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif – we shell make it gently untill we fill the first resistance. We should also put some silicone grease on the thread which will hold the inflation part inside the inflatorhttp://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif and we think it is better to make it with your hand not a wrench...

We use 5 of such inflator – and after introducing this conseravtion methods we did not experience any af the „sticky” problmes...



Most of our dives we make in Red Sea – the salt crystals form almost everywhere where crystals can form http://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif – that is the reason why we use the “full with silicone grease” method of conservation. We just came to conclusion that if the interior of the inflator is filled with silicone there is no place for anything else – also salt crystals http://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

When you have ever serviced your inflation valve on a dry suit you have maybe noticed that the concept behind the construction is basicly the same – so the solution is proven to be ok. But it requires certain “diving maturity” – it is not an inflator for divers, that are not interested how the equipment works – it is for aware diver knowing what they want http://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif


So good luck http://www.direxplorers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif and nice greasing...

[Graham Mills]

thanks i needed to get mine sorted

Graham

[Gazza]

Hi Wojtek
This is my first time on the Forum, and I think it's a great tool for diver to share and express there views.
Last year I worked with a good friend of mine (George you know what i'm talking about) diving in Malta. And he always had problem with the H inflator. I cleaned and serviced it for him many times, and came to the conclusion that A: it's over engineered. B: That a Plastic Diverite inflator is simple and never gives as much hassle as the over priced, and over designed H Inflator. I would suggest to anybody with a H inflator to replace it with a simple super reliable Diverite.
Regards
G

[g-west]

While my Fundamentals course two students noticed unfixed inflators. The cable fixer were stretched. So they lost the inflators in shallow water.

My eclipse has a loosed Inflator too. I changed the cable fixer meanwhile.

The older flange system seems to be more stable.

[Gazza]

:( Dodgey stuff!!!

I don't trust it, and I've also seen a few that have had the threads on the housing "stripped" meaning that the whole thing came apart down there!
I've never seen an inflator that requires so much servicing an unnessasary maintances. After all... loss of bouncancy is the one thing we are taught to handle and control in a stressful situation, and to have a unreliable inflator is not horgathian in my eyes!
Thow it away, and get 3 times DR non-prescision inflators for the same price, and have peace of mind that the thing will simply do the job of gas in, gas out
G

[Jesper Berglund]

Not sure if would go so far as using a DR inflator but it sure was a surprice for me this summer when the hole inflator mechanism came of upon entering the water! (what had happen was that the threading in the inflator housing had gotten worn down since the threading is in the plastic hold). Anyway, as I´m sure you understand, Gazza-bro, this all happened on our little island in the med and being a true DIR person I of course had 2 back ups of which 1 did the job;-)

[James Mclennan]

I had a big over inflation with mine today pulled it apart and there were lots of black plastic shavings caused i think by the Stainless steel parts eating into the plastic thread. I pulled out some pretty big pieces wich i hope were the reason for the sticking inflator.

Good info here but i think the steel parts destroy the plastic over time. The new plastic on plastic is probably a better way to go

[rjack]

I have had good luck filling the inflator with cheap silicon. I kept thinking I would replace them but they last on and on. They do require maintenence, but the alternative is a "black box" on the end of your hose with no idea of its condition inside.

Generally, in life, I prefer service over disposable.

Richard

[jluttichau]

I have had good luck filling the inflator with cheap silicon.


I've just finished servicing 8 of those halcyon inflators and while they have no symptoms yet they were all in the same state. The bottom o-ring that keeps the high pressure air from entering the wing was "dry". My theory is that the gas flowing over the o-ring blows off all the grease and makes it leak, couldn't someone design an inflator where the gas doesn't flow over the o-ring.
My OEM inflator that came with my first halcyon wing has had no problems, after 3 years of use the only problem is that the buttom doesn't depress as smoothly and when it's serviced regularly.

Cheers

[Ingemar Lundgren]

I have informed Halcyon of this post as i feel your reports is of interest to them.

[rjack]

I've just finished servicing 8 of those halcyon inflators and while they have no symptoms yet they were all in the same state. The bottom o-ring that keeps the high pressure air from entering the wing was "dry". My theory is that the gas flowing over the o-ring blows off all the grease and makes it leak, couldn't someone design an inflator where the gas doesn't flow over the o-ring.
My OEM inflator that came with my first halcyon wing has had no problems, after 3 years of use the only problem is that the buttom doesn't depress as smoothly and when it's serviced regularly.

Cheers

We had to borrow an inflator nipple from my wing in Cave1 since I wanted to try the smaller explorer wing from the shop and it wouldn't mate with my hose very well. Anyway, Chris LM was laughing at me when he saw all the silicon I had in there.

But, I have no issues with free flowing inflators and only service the inflators every 75-100 dives. Even after almost a hundred dives mine are still a goopy mess in there. The silicon does not seem to affect the interior of the wing, although I'm sure some ends up in there.

Richard