Buddy Commando Jacket

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viper61 - 21 Dec 2007 01:06 GMT

Hi guys, am planning some dives over winter. Yes foolish I know, but
have a new drysuit I want to try and a few other bits too. Probably
brave stoney at the weekend, but checked my gear the other day and the
inflator button on the jacket (it's an auto air) stuck in when I
pressed it. Checked it out the other month and it was fine but would
there be any way I can maybe strip and clean the inflator unit to
check it all out or would it need sending back to ap? Was hoping to
get one in this saturday but looks like that's gone out the window
now... not sure if thats a good or bad thing basing it on the frost
we've been having ;-).

Cheers all.

Rob

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Keith Manning - 21 Dec 2007 08:50 GMT

> Hi guys, am planning some dives over winter. Yes foolish I know, but
> have a new drysuit I want to try and a few other bits too. Probably
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Rob

If you are not sure about working on it yourself, then my advice would be
don't attempt it. It dosen't sound that serious a problem, but I am not
familiar with AP valves gear. It probably dosen't have to go back to AP
valves as your local dive store should be able to help you with a repair.
Failing that, find your nearest AP dealer from their website. I would get it
sorted properly as a sticking inflator can equal a one way ticket to the
chamber.

Keith

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Gordon Henderson - 21 Dec 2007 10:00 GMT

>> Hi guys, am planning some dives over winter. Yes foolish I know, but
>> have a new drysuit I want to try and a few other bits too. Probably
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>sorted properly as a sticking inflator can equal a one way ticket to the
>chamber.

My suggetion would be to not bother finding a dealer, but deal with the
factory direct.

However you can strip them down relatively easilly. Just make a note of
what went where, take it apart as much as you can without using any
tools, clean the bits and put it together again. The blue button will
unscrew, (or rather the small ring underneath it) as will the large
round black cap where the manual breathe button is, as will the large
round end-cap where the purge button is. That will let you get inside
the unit to clean it all out.

If this doesn't fix it, then either call the factory, or send it back. The
factory sells all the replacement parts as a kit, so if you're competent
enough you can service it yourself.

However getting anything to & from the factory before the new year now
will be somewhat challenging, so maybe it's time to practice manual
inflation, or use the emergency inflator bottle in a controlled
manner... (You have practiced this, haven't you? ;-)

Gordon

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Mark T - 21 Dec 2007 10:04 GMT

Send it back to AP. They do an excellent job in quick time and it is not at
all expensive. By far the best method.

I found with ine that the little ring inside the inflate button that holds
it all together is impossible to get out without the right tool. So trust
me, send it back to them and it'll work for another ten years without being
looked at!

M
Hi guys, am planning some dives over winter. Yes foolish I know, but
have a new drysuit I want to try and a few other bits too. Probably
brave stoney at the weekend, but checked my gear the other day and the
inflator button on the jacket (it's an auto air) stuck in when I
pressed it. Checked it out the other month and it was fine but would
there be any way I can maybe strip and clean the inflator unit to
check it all out or would it need sending back to ap? Was hoping to
get one in this saturday but looks like that's gone out the window
now... not sure if thats a good or bad thing basing it on the frost
we've been having ;-).

Cheers all.

Rob

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Lee Bell - 21 Dec 2007 14:02 GMT

> Hi guys, am planning some dives over winter. Yes foolish I know, but
> have a new drysuit I want to try and a few other bits too. Probably
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> now... not sure if thats a good or bad thing basing it on the frost
> we've been having ;-).

Perhaps the cost of the unit you are using is prohibitive, but inflators are
one of the bits of equipment I keep spares for. If you don't service them
regularly, and I don't, they sometimes get clogged up or go bad. Sometimes
they can be cleaned out easily, sometimes they can't. If you have a spare,
though, you don't have to wait to find out. You just swap the malfunctioning
unit with a working one and get on with your diving.

Lee

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Ian Blakeley - 21 Dec 2007 16:20 GMT

>>"viper61" <rj.spicer@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>Send it back to AP. They do an excellent job in quick time and it is not at
>all expensive. By far the best method.

I'd concur. Had the same thing on my daughter's jacket, originally
ordered the wrong part from AP when I realised what I'd done I phoned
them and sent the inflator and incorrect spare back. I think it was
returned the same week, although I doubt you'll manage that this close
to Christmas.

Signature

Ian

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Nigel Hewitt - 21 Dec 2007 17:25 GMT

> ...although I doubt you'll manage that this close
> to Christmas.

Sadly I think they're closed until the 2nd now.
Their service is usually stupidly good but not that stupidly good.

nigelH

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viper61 - 22 Dec 2007 08:05 GMT

Cool, cheers guys. No problems, I was no way expecting it to be done
before xmas anyway. Think I will send it off anyway as that'll be the
best way in my opinion. They fully service the whole jacket for £55
according to their site which isn't too bad really. And I agree, not
really the button I want sticking open at 30m! I will rent one for
today and send it off in the new year.

Cheers for the help guys.

Merry Christmas.

Rob

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