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Post by time2dive on Aug 1, 2006 16:07:28 GMT -8
I just opened up two of my regulators for service and found that in both of them the duckbills had dissolved into a gooey mess. They both rotted where the hose meets the can. I washed them in soapy water after diving and rinsed them with fresh water after that. Any suggestions? Anyone had a similar problem?
Tim
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Post by DeltaCo 1/5 on Aug 1, 2006 19:59:45 GMT -8
I've had success with soaking (overnite or longer) in SIMPLE GREEN, also VINEGAR and lots of "elbow grease."
Good luck.
Mel B (DeltaCo15)
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JohnA
Pro Diver
Posts: 134
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Post by JohnA on Aug 2, 2006 2:56:09 GMT -8
After you clean them all up and replace them, the only way I have found to keep mine in good shape is to remove the duckbills after each use and keep them them in the refrigerator, I also keep my hoses there. I have 1 duckbill that is "new" old stock from my LDS I got 20 years ago that still looks brand new.
John
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Post by pescador775 on Aug 2, 2006 6:13:44 GMT -8
The problem is not uncommon. It is caused by the catalytic effect of copper/chromium. The solution would be to make duckbills from silicone rubber. Otherwise, I don't know of a good fix. However, the problem can be mitigated by isolating the rubber from the brass. Clean the outside of the exhaust horn with solvent. Make one wrap with thin tape on the outside of the horn. Coat the tapered section and neck of the flutter valve with silicone grease. Remove any grease on the surface of the neck which contacts the tape. Slide the duckbill into the horn . Replace the hose.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2006 8:38:45 GMT -8
Another solution I found was to secure a old bicycle innertube, off an English racer or some sort with a thin rim and tire setup....this is very thin rubber.
Slice a 2.25 inch piece of the tube and slip inside the horn just so as it does not extend past the horn into the diaphrgam area then flip the balance of the innertube over the outside of the horn. Powder and slip the duckbill into the horn as is normally done and over the outside.......makes a good tight grip and protects the duckbill from the horn.
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Post by nemrod on Aug 2, 2006 11:16:06 GMT -8
Mossback, you know what?, your pretty smart, that is a good idea! Some of those racer tubes are very thin if you get the high performance ones for 600c wheels (not those stupid dime store 27 inch boats). I think I have some super light latex tubes, hmmmmm.
Nemrod
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2006 13:28:58 GMT -8
Gee, thanks for the complement!  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2006 6:23:35 GMT -8
James,
Just wondering......seal of the end of a short piece of innertube, cut two sides away a inch or so on the sealed in.......would not that create a home made flutter (duckbill) valve? Would not be the same shape as a USD but might work.
I think I will try that, just for fun.........
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Post by swimjim on Aug 5, 2006 18:50:41 GMT -8
There is no such thing as 600c wheels, unless its something rather funky. 700c is the norm for english, american, japanese, even gasp, the Italians.
Jim
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