What make is the O2ptima solenoid? Other recommendations...

teksimple · 31st January 2007, 09:02

After several hundred hours underwater, the Snap-tite solenoid on my 15.5 needs to be replaced. I guess I could get another one of those and REALLY make the lead connections oceanproof this time, but then...

today I peeked into Jim Holt's O2ptima head--fresh back from Dive Rite-- and saw that the little solenoid in there appears to have a stainless valve body. Is is really stainless, or is it just because it is nice and cozy inside the head and hasn't been exposed to the ocean like my poor Snap-tite (below).

Anyone know the specs on the O2ptima solenoid? Who makes it? Is it stainless or is that just an illusion?

The only thing "good" thing about my solenoid shorting against the valve body and creating 3-6 volt surges between the Hammerhead on my wrist and my 15.5 plumbing is that it attracted three rather large scalloped hammerheads. These sharks checked us three closed circuit divers out very closely. This would not be so odd offshore or on a seamount, but we were on a shore dive in Kona!

This was taken yesterday....

***jradomski*** · 31st January 2007, 10:01

The solenoid used in the optima is a custom ordered part.. Its not a normally available product.. The body is stainless but the innerds are a ferrous metal..

Just get the right snaptite (wires molded to coil) and encase it in epoxy (and plasticdip) and you'll have plenty of trouble free hours on it..

Quote: (Originally Posted by teksimple)

After several hundred hours underwater, the Snap-tite solenoid on my 15.5 needs to be replaced. I guess I could get another one of those and REALLY make the lead connections oceanproof this time, but then...

today I peeked into Jim Holt's O2ptima head--fresh back from Dive Rite-- and saw that the little solenoid in there appears to have a stainless valve body. Is is really stainless, or is it just because it is nice and cozy inside the head and hasn't been exposed to the ocean like my poor Snap-tite (below).

Anyone know the specs on the O2ptima solenoid? Who makes it? Is it stainless or is that just an illusion?

The only thing "good" thing about my solenoid shorting against the valve body and creating 3-6 volt surges between the Hammerhead on my wrist and my 15.5 plumbing is that it attracted three rather large scalloped hammerheads. These sharks checked us three closed circuit divers out very closely. This would not be so odd offshore or on a seamount, but we were on a shore dive in Kona!

This was taken yesterday....

paulraymaekers · 31st January 2007, 10:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

The solenoid used in the optima is a custom ordered part.. Its not a normally available product.. The body is stainless but the innerds are a ferrous metal..

Just get the right snaptite (wires molded to coil) and encase it in epoxy (and plasticdip) and you'll have plenty of trouble free hours on it..

hello joe,
see you're back :-)

nobody can tell me where to find the jaksa solenoids??

regards
paul

***jradomski*** · 31st January 2007, 10:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by paulraymaekers)

hello joe,
see you're back :-)

nobody can tell me where to find the jaksa solenoids??

regards
paul

I believe the one that is used on the Meg is a custom part ordered directly from the manufacturer.. The part number is not in their normal parts listing..

JAKSA Solenoid Valves

rdmmdr · 31st January 2007, 10:54

call kevin he could probably help, i know that he stocks the snap tite
rick

teksimple · 3rd February 2007, 09:22

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

The solenoid used in the optima is a custom ordered part.. Its not a normally available product.. The body is stainless but the innerds are a ferrous metal..

No manufacturer names, huh? So what would it take for that manufacturer to accept an "abnormal" order for just one or two of those things? I was holding off ordering a Snap-tite from Kevin until I explored that avenue.

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

Just get the right snaptite (wires molded to coil) and encase it in epoxy (and plasticdip) and you'll have plenty of trouble free hours on it..

I guess I should not complain if "plenty" is a few hundred hours. That solenoid casing was brand new 18 months ago, and *WAS* encased in epoxy. Prior to me peeling it off and taking the photo above, the epoxy was completely waterlogged and actually provided an excellent conduit for the seawater that was shorting one of the leads against the valve body.

On oceanographic ships we used to splice underwater instrument cable connections using Scotchkote and 3M self-bonding rubber splicing compound. These splices would carry the 250 volts required to operate those large CTD's on multiple dives to several thousand meters. Perhaps no one has tried this method on a wet rebreather solenoid yet?

***jradomski*** · 3rd February 2007, 11:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by teksimple)

No manufacturer names, huh? So what would it take for that manufacturer to accept an "abnormal" order for just one or two of those things? I was holding off ordering a Snap-tite from Kevin until I explored that avenue.

I guess I should not complain if "plenty" is a few hundred hours. That solenoid casing was brand new 18 months ago, and *WAS* encased in epoxy. Prior to me peeling it off and taking the photo above, the epoxy was completely waterlogged and actually provided an excellent conduit for the seawater that was shorting one of the leads against the valve body.

On oceanographic ships we used to splice underwater instrument cable connections using Scotchkote and 3M self-bonding rubber splicing compound. These splices would carry the 250 volts required to operate those large CTD's on multiple dives to several thousand meters. Perhaps no one has tried this method on a wet rebreather solenoid yet?

It sounds as if the epoxy did'nt totally cure correctly and probably had some bubbles in it.. I have encase otehr things in expoxy that have withstood years in the water (but obviously no great depths)

Maybe for diving an epoxy and something more flexible as a topcoat??.. The wires probably should have been covered with a lubricant then shrink wrapped before epoxing...

The valves in the optima are made by kip valves (or at least last time I saw one).. I can confirm shortly when my FX arrives..

Norgren Pneumatics. Motion Control Equipment, Fluid Control Equipment, UK, US, Worldwide

31st January 2007, 09:02	#1 (permalink)
teksimple Enlightened Alpinist Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back in Hawaii Posts: 491	What make is the O2ptima solenoid? Other recommendations... After several hundred hours underwater, the Snap-tite solenoid on my 15.5 needs to be replaced. I guess I could get another one of those and REALLY make the lead connections oceanproof this time, but then... today I peeked into Jim Holt's O2ptima head--fresh back from Dive Rite-- and saw that the little solenoid in there appears to have a stainless valve body. Is is really stainless, or is it just because it is nice and cozy inside the head and hasn't been exposed to the ocean like my poor Snap-tite (below). Anyone know the specs on the O2ptima solenoid? Who makes it? Is it stainless or is that just an illusion? The only thing "good" thing about my solenoid shorting against the valve body and creating 3-6 volt surges between the Hammerhead on my wrist and my 15.5 plumbing is that it attracted three rather large scalloped hammerheads. These sharks checked us three closed circuit divers out very closely. This would not be so odd offshore or on a seamount, but we were on a shore dive in Kona! This was taken yesterday....
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31st January 2007, 10:01	#2 (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: 2,871	Re: What make is the O2ptima solenoid? Other recommendations... The solenoid used in the optima is a custom ordered part.. Its not a normally available product.. The body is stainless but the innerds are a ferrous metal.. Just get the right snaptite (wires molded to coil) and encase it in epoxy (and plasticdip) and you'll have plenty of trouble free hours on it.. Quote: (Originally Posted by teksimple) After several hundred hours underwater, the Snap-tite solenoid on my 15.5 needs to be replaced. I guess I could get another one of those and REALLY make the lead connections oceanproof this time, but then... today I peeked into Jim Holt's O2ptima head--fresh back from Dive Rite-- and saw that the little solenoid in there appears to have a stainless valve body. Is is really stainless, or is it just because it is nice and cozy inside the head and hasn't been exposed to the ocean like my poor Snap-tite (below). Anyone know the specs on the O2ptima solenoid? Who makes it? Is it stainless or is that just an illusion? The only thing "good" thing about my solenoid shorting against the valve body and creating 3-6 volt surges between the Hammerhead on my wrist and my 15.5 plumbing is that it attracted three rather large scalloped hammerheads. These sharks checked us three closed circuit divers out very closely. This would not be so odd offshore or on a seamount, but we were on a shore dive in Kona! This was taken yesterday.... __________________ 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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31st January 2007, 10:36	#3 (permalink)
paulraymaekers rEvo's daddy Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: belgium Posts: 1,432	Re: What make is the O2ptima solenoid? Other recommendations... Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) The solenoid used in the optima is a custom ordered part.. Its not a normally available product.. The body is stainless but the innerds are a ferrous metal.. Just get the right snaptite (wires molded to coil) and encase it in epoxy (and plasticdip) and you'll have plenty of trouble free hours on it.. hello joe, see you're back :-) nobody can tell me where to find the jaksa solenoids?? regards paul __________________ www.rEvo-rebreathers.com .... the earth is flat, Elvis is alive, and radial scrubbers give longer dwell time than axials...
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31st January 2007, 10:44	#4 (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: 2,871	Re: What make is the O2ptima solenoid? Other recommendations... Quote: (Originally Posted by paulraymaekers) hello joe, see you're back :-) nobody can tell me where to find the jaksa solenoids?? regards paul I believe the one that is used on the Meg is a custom part ordered directly from the manufacturer.. The part number is not in their normal parts listing.. JAKSA Solenoid Valves __________________ 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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31st January 2007, 10:54	#5 (permalink)
rdmmdr designer of death Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: kerman,california Posts: 372	Re: What make is the O2ptima solenoid? Other recommendations... call kevin he could probably help, i know that he stocks the snap tite rick
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3rd February 2007, 09:22	#6 (permalink)
teksimple Enlightened Alpinist Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back in Hawaii Posts: 491	Re: What make is the O2ptima solenoid? Other recommendations... Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) The solenoid used in the optima is a custom ordered part.. Its not a normally available product.. The body is stainless but the innerds are a ferrous metal.. No manufacturer names, huh? So what would it take for that manufacturer to accept an "abnormal" order for just one or two of those things? I was holding off ordering a Snap-tite from Kevin until I explored that avenue. Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) Just get the right snaptite (wires molded to coil) and encase it in epoxy (and plasticdip) and you'll have plenty of trouble free hours on it.. I guess I should not complain if "plenty" is a few hundred hours. That solenoid casing was brand new 18 months ago, and WAS encased in epoxy. Prior to me peeling it off and taking the photo above, the epoxy was completely waterlogged and actually provided an excellent conduit for the seawater that was shorting one of the leads against the valve body. On oceanographic ships we used to splice underwater instrument cable connections using Scotchkote and 3M self-bonding rubber splicing compound. These splices would carry the 250 volts required to operate those large CTD's on multiple dives to several thousand meters. Perhaps no one has tried this method on a wet rebreather solenoid yet? Last edited by teksimple : 3rd February 2007 at 09:46.
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3rd February 2007, 11:18	#7 (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: 2,871	Re: What make is the O2ptima solenoid? Other recommendations... Quote: (Originally Posted by teksimple) No manufacturer names, huh? So what would it take for that manufacturer to accept an "abnormal" order for just one or two of those things? I was holding off ordering a Snap-tite from Kevin until I explored that avenue. I guess I should not complain if "plenty" is a few hundred hours. That solenoid casing was brand new 18 months ago, and WAS encased in epoxy. Prior to me peeling it off and taking the photo above, the epoxy was completely waterlogged and actually provided an excellent conduit for the seawater that was shorting one of the leads against the valve body. On oceanographic ships we used to splice underwater instrument cable connections using Scotchkote and 3M self-bonding rubber splicing compound. These splices would carry the 250 volts required to operate those large CTD's on multiple dives to several thousand meters. Perhaps no one has tried this method on a wet rebreather solenoid yet? It sounds as if the epoxy did'nt totally cure correctly and probably had some bubbles in it.. I have encase otehr things in expoxy that have withstood years in the water (but obviously no great depths) Maybe for diving an epoxy and something more flexible as a topcoat??.. The wires probably should have been covered with a lubricant then shrink wrapped before epoxing... The valves in the optima are made by kip valves (or at least last time I saw one).. I can confirm shortly when my FX arrives.. Norgren Pneumatics. Motion Control Equipment, Fluid Control Equipment, UK, US, Worldwide __________________ 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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