Optima solenoid

swadiver

anybody know the manufacturer of the optima solenoid?

Stephane

Hello,

I guess it's a Snap-Tite (oops, Solenoid Solutions Inc. now) Wattmizer: Miniature Valves : 12 Volt Solenoid Valves : Special Materials Solenoid Valves : Solenoid Solutions Inc

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Stéphane

sfldiver

Jeff, do you have to replace your selenoid already?

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Currently piloting & shooting...
Dive Rite O2ptima FX
*Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.
Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera
*Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.

diverreb

Diverite Express shows them on their website for $170.00

Richie

diverreb

I spoke with Kevin and he said that he hasn't had a lot of success with rebuilding the current solenoids and getting them to work properly after rebuilding or taking apart to see what kind of condition they are in.

He suggested replacing them, like any consumable, after a few years.

I'm also looking for one to carry as a spare. In the unlikely event that it does fail, I want one on hand so I don't miss any diving. I don't imagine they are all that available, if no one is stocking them close to where ever I may be at the time of a failure I won't have to worry about it.

Pretty soon my spares kit will cost close to the price of the Breather!

Richie

Stephane

Clippard Minimatic solenoids are pretty cheap. For example the EV-2-6-V is quoted $24.10

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Stéphane

Pipnaintez

After a few years is reasonable. But Jeff just purchased his Optima back in Feb.

diverreb

The shops quote between $170.00 & $220.00 for the stock replacement solenoid. I would assume that it is different than the one you are suggesting.

I know they like to make a profit, but I don't think that we are comparing apples to apples, as they say.

Richie

sfldiver

Richie, I thought about adding one to my spare parts kit, but since I live within driving distance of Dive Rite Express and since such an expensive part appears to fail quite infrequently, I kind figure it might by best to go with the O2 shut-off line instead, that way, in the rare possibility of the selenoid failing, even if I'm away on a trip, I can still fly my unit manually and it won't ruin my trip.

But I guess like so many things, that decision is simply a matter of preference.

__________________
Currently piloting & shooting...
Dive Rite O2ptima FX
*Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.
Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera
*Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.

heyydude

Hi guys,

The solenoids are a custom part made for us by Norgren. Seems like a lot of solenoid manufacturers don't do 316 Stainless (Snap-Tite outright refused to make any for us years ago, once they halted production, which is why we switched to Brass).

But the bigger issue is how a solenoid (any type) can be damaged, no matter how "new."

The solenoids out there typically are composed of some kind of seal, backed by either a piston, or other moving part, surrounded by a big coil. By their very nature (i.e. moving the seal via magnetism), some part of the internals must be made of ferrous metal.

We all know what happens to ferrous metal when touched by salt water (I used to buy Craftsman Tools for use on boats, because Sears will replace them for any reason, including caked rust from using them underwater for extended periods of time...) - and so, if you have any kind of salt water or even salt spray get into your O2 system, you can get rust VERY quickly.

That is the reason we have the Connector on the Banana Block of the Optima for the Solenoid. To make it easier to replace it.

It has been my experience that every solenoid valve out there can be damaged by Salt Water - so the best defense is "hygiene".

Don't take your O2 loop apart during the boat ride out to the dive site in 7 foot seas and 20 knot winds. When you attach your O2 Bottle, make sure it is DRY, not just rinsed in the Dip Tank on the boat (which, in my diving experience, can often be compared to Brine...) - and by all means, include Solenoid Replacement as part of your Maintenance Schedule.

I will say that there are guys out there diving some of our rigs from 2003, with hundreds and hundreds of dive hours on them who still have the original solenoids (this is probably true of all the other major manufacturers as well) - the difference is that they are utterly anal about keeping the O2 lines free of salt spray or water.

Kevin Juergensen
Juergensen Marine, Inc.