APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning

Serge · 1st September 2008, 20:57

Hi all,

Not sure if there is a trick to this, but I O2-cleaned the solenoid this morning and ran into a couple of issues.

Is there a trick to remove the metal mesh screen on the inlet side of the valve? I tried blowing it out to no avail. I did not try pulling or pushing it out at the risk of damaging the screen.
The solenoid valve screws into the bulkhead connector on the inside of the head. The bulkhead opening itself is shaped such that the connector fits into the bulkhead with only one orientation. In this orientation, it's impossible to screw in the solenoid valve very tightly. Is that how it's supposed to be?

Perhaps someone here had run into these issues in the past and hopefully can shed some light.

Best regards,
Serge

Serge · 1st September 2008, 23:54

Quote: (Originally Posted by jptaylor9)

I fitted the solenoid to the bulkhead conector before inserting & the tightened nut on top of head last.

Hope that makes sense.

Yep, makes perfect sense. Exactly what I did too.

Did you notice that the coupling between the solenoid and the inside bulkhead connector was kind of loose? It seems that mine could have been tighter. But if I made it tighter, it would not fit the bulkhead cut-out. I'm just not sure if that's how it's supposed to be or am I missing something?

broady · 2nd September 2008, 00:05

Don't know if this is any help but both mine and Nicola's Inspo's have movement at the solenoid

Our units were new in January this year with the original style solenoid.

G

.

Serge · 2nd September 2008, 01:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by broady)

Don't know if this is any help but both mine and Nicola's Inspo's have movement at the solenoid

Our units were new in January this year with the original style solenoid.

G

.

G,

This is exactly what I was after. It seems the fact that my solenoid has some rotational freedom of movement inside the head, is consistent with your observation. I guess that must be normal. Thanks much.

Serge

pabusk · 2nd September 2008, 12:13

Quote: (Originally Posted by Serge)

G,

This is exactly what I was after. It seems the fact that my solenoid has some rotational freedom of movement inside the head, is consistent with your observation. I guess that must be normal. Thanks much.

Serge

If it's the black block that's freely moving on the solenoid you don't need to worry. This is the coil that's slid over the actual valve and has some free rotational movement which is how it's supposed to be with to 'old' style of solenoid

Cheers,
Paul

Serge · 2nd September 2008, 13:33

Quote: (Originally Posted by pabusk)

If it's the black block that's freely moving on the solenoid you don't need to worry. This is the coil that's slid over the actual valve and has some free rotational movement which is how it's supposed to be with to 'old' style of solenoid

Cheers,
Paul

Yes, the coil is free to rotate as well, but as you say, it's not a problem, i.e., the coil is purely magnetic in the way it interacts with the valve. What I was concerned about is the inner bulkhead connector, which screws into the solenoid, that is not a tight connection in my case due to the cut-out in the head and the only possible orientation of the coil inside the head. I will play around with it some more when I get home this evening. I will try to post some pictures to make it a bit clearer.

jptaylor9 · 2nd September 2008, 16:11

Quote: (Originally Posted by Serge)

What I was concerned about is the inner bulkhead connector, which screws into the solenoid, that is not a tight connection in my case due to the cut-out in the head and the only possible orientation of the coil inside the head. I will play around with it some more when I get home this evening. I will try to post some pictures to make it a bit clearer.

Don't think think this is an issue. This bit is inserted though the hole in the head, the cut out is there to orientate it. When the nut is tightened up that's on the outside of the head it'll all be tight. You need to pay attention to the o-ring seal on the top of the head.

PS - View based on practical experience!

JT

rewrites · 2nd September 2008, 17:46

Quote: (Originally Posted by Serge)

Hi all,

Not sure if there is a trick to this, but I O2-cleaned the solenoid this morning and ran into a couple of issues.

Is there a trick to remove the metal mesh screen on the inlet side of the valve? I tried blowing it out to no avail. I did not try pulling or pushing it out at the risk of damaging the screen.
The solenoid valve screws into the bulkhead connector on the inside of the head. The bulkhead opening itself is shaped such that the connector fits into the bulkhead with only one orientation. In this orientation, it's impossible to screw in the solenoid valve very tightly. Is that how it's supposed to be?

Perhaps someone here had run into these issues in the past and hopefully can shed some light.

Best regards,
Serge

Hi Serge

You can use a dentist's 'pick' or similar tool to remove this - I watched mine being removed while at the factory last year. It's simply pushed into place. You will have to be careful not to damage it, however.

PH

rogeringebo · 8th September 2008, 05:06

Hi!
What kind of solenoid is used on the Inspiration?

Cheers
Roger

1st September 2008, 20:57	#1 (permalink)
Serge New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY Posts: 98	APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Hi all, Not sure if there is a trick to this, but I O2-cleaned the solenoid this morning and ran into a couple of issues. Is there a trick to remove the metal mesh screen on the inlet side of the valve? I tried blowing it out to no avail. I did not try pulling or pushing it out at the risk of damaging the screen. The solenoid valve screws into the bulkhead connector on the inside of the head. The bulkhead opening itself is shaped such that the connector fits into the bulkhead with only one orientation. In this orientation, it's impossible to screw in the solenoid valve very tightly. Is that how it's supposed to be? Perhaps someone here had run into these issues in the past and hopefully can shed some light. Best regards, Serge
(Offline)

1st September 2008, 23:54	#2 (permalink)
Serge New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY Posts: 98	Re: APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Quote: (Originally Posted by jptaylor9) I fitted the solenoid to the bulkhead conector before inserting & the tightened nut on top of head last. Hope that makes sense. Yep, makes perfect sense. Exactly what I did too. Did you notice that the coupling between the solenoid and the inside bulkhead connector was kind of loose? It seems that mine could have been tighter. But if I made it tighter, it would not fit the bulkhead cut-out. I'm just not sure if that's how it's supposed to be or am I missing something?
(Offline)

2nd September 2008, 00:05	#3 (permalink)
broady New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 28	Re: APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Don't know if this is any help but both mine and Nicola's Inspo's have movement at the solenoid Our units were new in January this year with the original style solenoid. G .
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2nd September 2008, 01:55	#4 (permalink)
Serge New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY Posts: 98	Re: APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Quote: (Originally Posted by broady) Don't know if this is any help but both mine and Nicola's Inspo's have movement at the solenoid Our units were new in January this year with the original style solenoid. G . G, This is exactly what I was after. It seems the fact that my solenoid has some rotational freedom of movement inside the head, is consistent with your observation. I guess that must be normal. Thanks much. Serge
(Offline)

2nd September 2008, 12:13	#5 (permalink)
pabusk Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Holland Posts: 133	Re: APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Quote: (Originally Posted by Serge) G, This is exactly what I was after. It seems the fact that my solenoid has some rotational freedom of movement inside the head, is consistent with your observation. I guess that must be normal. Thanks much. Serge If it's the black block that's freely moving on the solenoid you don't need to worry. This is the coil that's slid over the actual valve and has some free rotational movement which is how it's supposed to be with to 'old' style of solenoid Cheers, Paul
(Offline)

2nd September 2008, 13:33	#6 (permalink)
Serge New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY Posts: 98	Re: APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Quote: (Originally Posted by pabusk) If it's the black block that's freely moving on the solenoid you don't need to worry. This is the coil that's slid over the actual valve and has some free rotational movement which is how it's supposed to be with to 'old' style of solenoid Cheers, Paul Yes, the coil is free to rotate as well, but as you say, it's not a problem, i.e., the coil is purely magnetic in the way it interacts with the valve. What I was concerned about is the inner bulkhead connector, which screws into the solenoid, that is not a tight connection in my case due to the cut-out in the head and the only possible orientation of the coil inside the head. I will play around with it some more when I get home this evening. I will try to post some pictures to make it a bit clearer.
(Offline)

2nd September 2008, 16:11	#7 (permalink)
jptaylor9 Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 315	Re: APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Quote: (Originally Posted by Serge) What I was concerned about is the inner bulkhead connector, which screws into the solenoid, that is not a tight connection in my case due to the cut-out in the head and the only possible orientation of the coil inside the head. I will play around with it some more when I get home this evening. I will try to post some pictures to make it a bit clearer. Don't think think this is an issue. This bit is inserted though the hole in the head, the cut out is there to orientate it. When the nut is tightened up that's on the outside of the head it'll all be tight. You need to pay attention to the o-ring seal on the top of the head. PS - View based on practical experience! JT
(Offline)

2nd September 2008, 17:46	#8 (permalink)
rewrites RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 89	Re: APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Quote: (Originally Posted by Serge) Hi all, Not sure if there is a trick to this, but I O2-cleaned the solenoid this morning and ran into a couple of issues. Is there a trick to remove the metal mesh screen on the inlet side of the valve? I tried blowing it out to no avail. I did not try pulling or pushing it out at the risk of damaging the screen. The solenoid valve screws into the bulkhead connector on the inside of the head. The bulkhead opening itself is shaped such that the connector fits into the bulkhead with only one orientation. In this orientation, it's impossible to screw in the solenoid valve very tightly. Is that how it's supposed to be? Perhaps someone here had run into these issues in the past and hopefully can shed some light. Best regards, Serge Hi Serge You can use a dentist's 'pick' or similar tool to remove this - I watched mine being removed while at the factory last year. It's simply pushed into place. You will have to be careful not to damage it, however. PH __________________ Always running with scissors ~8~
(Offline)

8th September 2008, 05:06	#9 (permalink)
rogeringebo Life starts at 100 Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Pelagian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 736	Re: APD Solenoid Valve Cleaning Hi! What kind of solenoid is used on the Inspiration? Cheers Roger
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