How tight to pack your scrubber?

**nigelh** · 18th July 2006, 14:00

I've told the story about how following bad internet advice and loose packing the scrubber gave me a fun-fun CO2 hit to enjoy so, as you can imagine, I keep patting and tightening until I'm sure it isn't going to go any further.

No force but just pat pat turn, pat pat turn...

Ben Field · 18th July 2006, 14:16

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

I am a hard packer (Yes, get your head out of the gutter) and certainly made my mistake the first 2 times packing the SK. It is well documented in the KISS-owner list. So one advice: don't do it!

Luckily I haven't worked out how to hard pack a SK, just do pour, pat, pour, pat, till the slime settles below the pod hole, twist on the pods, hope for the best.

It does seem very different to what I've seen Inspiration owners doing with there scrubbers, seem to be treating them like babies with wind, thumping them on the back of the scrubber and jigging up and down like they need the toilet

BEN

MikeH · 18th July 2006, 14:39

I have been accused by some anal retentive rebreather divers of not packing my scrubber tightly enough....because I don't spend 20-30 mins packing it. I fill the scrubber halfway full, slap it on the side with both hands at the same time while turning it for about a minute, add more sorb, slap it for another minute, then add enough sorb to bring it up to the line and do a final couple minutes of packing. Then I put the end on, and make sure it doesn't make any noise when I shake the scrubber. I then pack it for another minute or so...shake it again...and if all is well, I'm done.

Overall it takes me 5-7 minutes to pack the scrubber. Nearly 100 hours on my unit so far, no problems with breakthrough or settling(even after packing it at home then driving 3 hours to the dive site).

Mike

Explorer · 18th July 2006, 14:56

During the Meg course, Leon drilled into us that we should be packing our sorb like CONCRETE. When you dump it out of the canister, it should come out in a block.

Benthic · 18th July 2006, 15:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer)

During the Meg course, Leon drilled into us that we should be packing our sorb like CONCRETE. When you dump it out of the canister, it should come out in a block.

Really? Wow, that's the first time I've heard that one. I fill about 1/3 of the way, pat it down, fill the next 1/3, pat it down, top it off, pat it down and put the lid (bottom?

) on. Then I shake it next to my ear to be sure it's tight.

When emptying the scrubber, I've had the lime come out in chunks--but never in one big chunk. Never had any WOB or CO2 problems either (knock on wood).

Brian

**Gill Envy** · 18th July 2006, 16:39

we are still quite new to this, but we fill our evo scrubbers nearly to the top, rat a tat tat on the side till it goes down a bit, then repeat a few times. Add a final fill to the brim with slightly high center and then screw down the end screen and keep patting till it's tight, making sure to pat and tighten till the black plastic backing is seated just below the rim of the scrubber cylindar. I've always figured the tighter the better...within reason

.

MikeH · 18th July 2006, 18:16

Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer)

During the Meg course, Leon drilled into us that we should be packing our sorb like CONCRETE. When you dump it out of the canister, it should come out in a block.

If I wanted it to come out in a solid block....I'd be using Extendair..

If it's packed too tightly, you're potentially greatly reducing the space between the granules therefore reducing the surface area and decreasing the effectiveness of the scrubber material. The gas will take the path of least resistance....so you're more likely to get channeling if you pack it too tightly than if you pack it well but not "like concrete". This is just the thought process my warped mind went through when thinking about it...

Mike

***jradomski*** · 18th July 2006, 19:38

I follow the recommendaton of the sorb manufactuers.. I pack it as tight as possibe. I keep packng until I cant pack no more.. it is never forced, just by tapping and tightenig the screw without any pressure..

Explorer · 18th July 2006, 19:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by Benthic)

Really? Wow, that's the first time I've heard that one. I fill about 1/3 of the way, pat it down, fill the next 1/3, pat it down, top it off, pat it down and put the lid (bottom?

) on. Then I shake it next to my ear to be sure it's tight.

When emptying the scrubber, I've had the lime come out in chunks--but never in one big chunk. Never had any WOB or CO2 problems either (knock on wood).

Brian

Yes, bottom cover first, then 1/3, pack, 1/3 pack, 1/3 pack, cover should go on barely.

I even have marked the thirdes outside of the clear canister with a marker.

Leon must be gifted because I have only had my lime come out in chunks also.

shaun · 18th July 2006, 20:22

I tap for about 10 min until the space between the lidarms is rockhard and you can't push in the grains (i use the 4/8 grain)

View Poll Results: How tightly do you pack the scrubber?
I cram in as much in as I can.	61	45.19%
I pack it well but not too tightly.	71	52.59%
I don't pack it very tightly at all.	3	2.22%
Voters: 135. You may not vote on this poll

18th July 2006, 14:00	#11 (permalink)
nigelh New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, Sussex, UK Posts: 837	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? I've told the story about how following bad internet advice and loose packing the scrubber gave me a fun-fun CO2 hit to enjoy so, as you can imagine, I keep patting and tightening until I'm sure it isn't going to go any further. No force but just pat pat turn, pat pat turn... __________________ nigelh
(Online)

18th July 2006, 14:16	#12 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,621	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) I am a hard packer (Yes, get your head out of the gutter) and certainly made my mistake the first 2 times packing the SK. It is well documented in the KISS-owner list. So one advice: don't do it! Luckily I haven't worked out how to hard pack a SK, just do pour, pat, pour, pat, till the slime settles below the pod hole, twist on the pods, hope for the best. It does seem very different to what I've seen Inspiration owners doing with there scrubbers, seem to be treating them like babies with wind, thumping them on the back of the scrubber and jigging up and down like they need the toilet BEN __________________ Know your PPO2, Pre-breath, Use checklists, Validate cells at 6mtrs, Use pure O2 at or near surface, Use a BOV, Don't dive Solo, Change Slime and Cells as recommended by Manufacturer and RTFM! Beware Fridge Suck! www.hugsac.org.uk
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18th July 2006, 14:39	#13 (permalink)
MikeH Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 178	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? I have been accused by some anal retentive rebreather divers of not packing my scrubber tightly enough....because I don't spend 20-30 mins packing it. I fill the scrubber halfway full, slap it on the side with both hands at the same time while turning it for about a minute, add more sorb, slap it for another minute, then add enough sorb to bring it up to the line and do a final couple minutes of packing. Then I put the end on, and make sure it doesn't make any noise when I shake the scrubber. I then pack it for another minute or so...shake it again...and if all is well, I'm done. Overall it takes me 5-7 minutes to pack the scrubber. Nearly 100 hours on my unit so far, no problems with breakthrough or settling(even after packing it at home then driving 3 hours to the dive site). Mike
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18th July 2006, 14:56	#14 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 773	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? During the Meg course, Leon drilled into us that we should be packing our sorb like CONCRETE. When you dump it out of the canister, it should come out in a block. __________________ 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves took turns doing handstands on the carpet
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18th July 2006, 15:59	#15 (permalink)
Benthic MEGalomaniac Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL USA Posts: 224	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer) During the Meg course, Leon drilled into us that we should be packing our sorb like CONCRETE. When you dump it out of the canister, it should come out in a block. Really? Wow, that's the first time I've heard that one. I fill about 1/3 of the way, pat it down, fill the next 1/3, pat it down, top it off, pat it down and put the lid (bottom? ) on. Then I shake it next to my ear to be sure it's tight. When emptying the scrubber, I've had the lime come out in chunks--but never in one big chunk. Never had any WOB or CO2 problems either (knock on wood). Brian __________________ Well lit rooms will not repel determined beer ninjas.
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18th July 2006, 16:39	#16 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,313	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? we are still quite new to this, but we fill our evo scrubbers nearly to the top, rat a tat tat on the side till it goes down a bit, then repeat a few times. Add a final fill to the brim with slightly high center and then screw down the end screen and keep patting till it's tight, making sure to pat and tighten till the black plastic backing is seated just below the rim of the scrubber cylindar. I've always figured the tighter the better...within reason . __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
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18th July 2006, 18:16	#17 (permalink)
MikeH Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 178	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer) During the Meg course, Leon drilled into us that we should be packing our sorb like CONCRETE. When you dump it out of the canister, it should come out in a block. If I wanted it to come out in a solid block....I'd be using Extendair.. If it's packed too tightly, you're potentially greatly reducing the space between the granules therefore reducing the surface area and decreasing the effectiveness of the scrubber material. The gas will take the path of least resistance....so you're more likely to get channeling if you pack it too tightly than if you pack it well but not "like concrete". This is just the thought process my warped mind went through when thinking about it... Mike
(Offline)

18th July 2006, 19:38	#18 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,001	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? I follow the recommendaton of the sorb manufactuers.. I pack it as tight as possibe. I keep packng until I cant pack no more.. it is never forced, just by tapping and tightenig the screw without any pressure.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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18th July 2006, 19:49	#19 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 773	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? Quote: (Originally Posted by Benthic) Really? Wow, that's the first time I've heard that one. I fill about 1/3 of the way, pat it down, fill the next 1/3, pat it down, top it off, pat it down and put the lid (bottom? ) on. Then I shake it next to my ear to be sure it's tight. When emptying the scrubber, I've had the lime come out in chunks--but never in one big chunk. Never had any WOB or CO2 problems either (knock on wood). Brian Yes, bottom cover first, then 1/3, pack, 1/3 pack, 1/3 pack, cover should go on barely. I even have marked the thirdes outside of the clear canister with a marker. Leon must be gifted because I have only had my lime come out in chunks also. __________________ 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves took turns doing handstands on the carpet
(Offline)

18th July 2006, 20:22	#20 (permalink)
shaun New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kortrijk (Belgium) Posts: 46	Re: How tight to pack your scrubber? I tap for about 10 min until the space between the lidarms is rockhard and you can't push in the grains (i use the 4/8 grain)
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