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Drysuit Inflation System

Drysuit Inflation Accessories

For shallow cold water depths, most air and nitrox divers use their bottom gas to inflate their drysuit. However, when diving deeper on trimix, inflating your drysuit with gas mixtures containing helium can adversely affect the suit's insulating properties. Some divers prefer to use argon for drysuit inflation, but even ordinary air is a better inflation gas than trimix. Divers sometimes carry a small independent cylinder containing their preferred drysuit inflation gas with just a first-stage regulator and low-pressure drysuit inflator hose.
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Inflation Regulator

Drysuit Inflation Regulator

The Dive Rite Drysuit Inflation Regulator w/OPV is a compact first stage regulator that can be used on any 200 BAR DIN valve. Measuring only 2 3/8-inches (6 cm) tall and weighing just 12 ounces, this is the most compact suit inflation regulator available. Suitable for use with air and argon, the regulator has an unbalanced piston first stage with an intermediate pressure of 120 psi and includes an over pressurization valve. The regulator offers two standard low-pressure 3/8-inch UNF thread ports, one for the OPV and one for a drysuit inflation hose.

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First Stage with Argon OPV

Over-Pressure Relief Valve

On dedicated drysuit inflation systems there is no regulator second stage to provide relief should the first stage high pressure seat fail. Without a way to relieve the pressure, the drysuit could begin inflating rapidly or the low-pressure hose could rupture. The Dive Rite over-pressure relief valve provides the same fail-safe function as a normal regulator second stage. The over-pressure relief valve screws into any available first-stage low-pressure port and is set to 220 psi (may be adjusted in the field to any value the user prefers). Note the OPV is included with the Dive Rite drysuit inflation regulator.

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Drysuit Inflation Hose

Drysuit Inflation Hose

The 31-inch Si-Tech drysuit inflation hose (included with every Dive Rite 905 drysuit) has a 3/8-inch UNF thread fitting for standard low-pressure regulator ports and uses a quick-release connector of the same type as found on most BC inflation hoses. The quick-release connector sleeve must be pulled back completely before the locking connector can be pushed on or pulled off. Wings on the sleeve facilitate easy use when wearing gloves. The drysuit hose can handle intermediate pressures up to a maximum of 270 psi. However, when using a separate drysuit inflation first stage regulator without a second stage, the first stage should always have an over-pressure relief valve.

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BC Inflation Hoses Are Not Drysuit Inflation Hoses
You should not use a BC inflation hose for drysuit inflation because the drysuit hose has a special 1.0-mm flow restricting orifice for easy buoyancy control. The flow restricting orifice prevents:
  • A rapid over inflation that may cause uncontrolled or unexpected ascent.
  • A flow rate that could exceed the drysuit exhaust valve expel capacity.
  • A loss of intermediate pressure if the drysuit inflation valve should freeflow.

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AL-6 and AL-14 Inflation Bottles

Inflation Bottles

We offer inflation cylinders configured for use with drysuit inflation systems. The cylinders are oxygen clean with oxygen compatible Thermo Pro DIN/K valves. We ship the cylinders with the valve installed and a few PSI pressure of oxygen compatible air necessary to keep the interior dry. The cylinders have a current month Visual Inspection Sticker; no re-inspection is necessary before filling. The AL-6 size is the most popular and divers will typically get about 3 dives before needing to refill. Cave and wreck divers sometimes choose the larger AL-13 size. Divers transfilling Argon prefer the AL-14 size, because of the lower cylinder working pressure.

Inflation Cylinder Specifications
Cylinder Service
Pressure
(psi)		 Diameter
(inches)		 Height*
(inches)		 Weight
Empty
(pounds)		 Buoyancy*
Full : Empty
(pounds)
Aluminum 6 (Inflation) 3000 3.2 11.1 2.5 - 1.4 : - 0.9
Aluminum 13 (Inflation) 3000 4.4 13.1 6.0 - 1.7 : - 0.7
Aluminum 14 (Argon) 2015 4.4 16.2 4.9 + 0.8 : + 1.8

* Height/Weight is cylinder only, i.e. less valve. All values are approximate.
* Bouyancy is calculated with standard K valve in seawater.

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Inflation Bottle Mounting System

Inflation Bottle Mounting System

The Dive Rite drysuit inflation-bottle mounting system allows you to attach the bottle to a TransPac harness or backplate between your back and the cylinders. You can mount the system on the right or left side. It rides close to the side of your body under your arm and out of the way. A slide release buckle allows the bottle to be removed from the mount while diving should the need arise. Suitable for the AL-6, AL-13 and AL-14 bottle sizes.

Pricing for Drysuit Accessories

 
Image Item   Description Style Ship Price
EX940 EX940   Gaiters, adjustable size fits all   Today $65.10
EX954 EX954   Inflator Hose, 31-Inch (standard w/ EX905 Drysuit)   Today $52.50
EX949 EX949   Inflation Reguator w/OPV   Today $99.00
RG1310 RG1310   Over-Pressure Relief Valve
(included with EX949 reg)		   Today $24.00
  AL-6   Aluminum 6 Cylinder, 3000 PSI,
Brushed No-Coat Finish		   Today $129.95
  AL-13   Aluminum 13 Cylinder, 3000 PSI,
Brushed No-Coat Finish		   Today $144.95
  AL-14   Aluminum 14 Cylinder, 2015 PSI,
White Finish		   Today $144.95
D-ARGON D-ARGON   Decal: Argon - Do Not Breathe, 8-Inch x 3-Inch   Today $4.00
GM2779 GM2779   Inflation Bottle Mounting System   Today $39.90
No surprise costs.     No Sales Tax (outside FL) and shipping is FREE for US orders over $50.

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