GCS Question

PhilSiswick

Hi All,

A very quick question, as I've not been able to find the answer anywhere. I'm moving to GCS to connect my bailout cylinder to my BOV. I was thinking of adding a female connector to my dil reg, so that I could plumb it into onboard if I wanted to (shallow, no bailout dive, not that I do those).

Looking at the female connector, it doesn't look as if it should be taken underwater unconnected, as the collar stays back. Is that correct?

I'm not planning to switch underwater.

Many thanks, as ever, in advance, for your sage guidance.

Cheers,

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Phil

No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007

I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007

www.hugsac.org.uk

Scubascooby

I think you mean a male connector on the reg and a female on the hose
that is supplying the gas.

I don't think the collar controls the valve and it should be fine as long as there is pressure in the ip hose.

What I have never been able to find out is if the GCS male nipples are also safe to leave exposed underwater. On the AutoAir they always said not to leave it disconnected underwater because water will enter the second stage.

I have always found the AutoAir to be very difficult to connect when it is pressurised, more so than the CEJN fittings. Is the GCS version any easier ?

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"dove" is NOT the past tense of "dive"

Padowan

I have exactly the setup tou describe, a female on mt b/o cylinder and another on my dil reg for shallow stuff, the one on the Dil is fine to dive with disconnected, it all seals up fine.

You do need to disassemble the GCS connectors fairly regularly and clean off the crud/scale build up and give them a good lube, then then connect/disconnect reliable and easily.

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Padowan

The GCS is no easier/harder than the autoair, and I agree it's much easier when depressurised, but regular maintenance keeps things acceptable.

I was under the impression that the male part also sealed when disconneced? Although thinking about it, and knowing how the 2 parts mate, if it does close off, it's only by a spring, that can be counteracted by the gas pressure - and if gas pressure can open it, then water pressure could also. Not sure on that.

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PhilSiswick

Thanks all - very much appreciated. I'm getting ever more adventurous at servicing dive gear - another piece to go in the ultrasonic cleaner on a regular basis!

Just to clarify, I have a female connector on the reg on my bailout cylinder and a male connector on the hose to my BOV, so flow direction is correct.

Cheers,

__________________
Phil

No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007

I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007

www.hugsac.org.uk