TRIDENT DRYSUIT VALVES are designed for the special needs of
commercial divers. The TRIDENT Exhaust Valve is a manual valve
which gives the diver complete control of their buoyancy at all times.
The TRIDENT valves are designed to give optimum air flow, with the exhaust
valve capable of exhausting more air than can be injected by the inflation
valve plus the expansion of air volume during ascent. They are serviceable
and repairable, with parts available at Authorized Dealers and the factory.
Trident Dry Suit Valves are made of an "Engineering" grade plastic
which is 30% fiberglass filled for the greatest possible strength.
SERVICE TIPS:
GENERAL, FOR ALL VALVES;
1. Remove both valve Back Caps. A rag can be wrapped around
the Back Cap to improve your grip.
2. SLOWLY pull the valve bodies from the front of the dry suit,starting at one side, so as not to damage the gasket on the suit.
Clean all residue from the valve body threads. Inspect the
raised ridge around the hole on the outside of the dry suit for
any damage. This is the primary water seal and if it is damaged,
you must apply enough Silicone Grease to fill the damaged area
when re-installing the valves.
3. When Re-installing the dry suit valves, apply a small amount ofSilicone Grease to the back sealing area of the valve bodies and
spread it thinly and evenly over the flat area and in the groove
before re-installing the valve in the dry suit. The back cap must
be tightened as tight as possible by hand.
A. AC-100-E EXHAUST VALVE;
NOTE: In most cases water leaking into the suit
through the TRIDENT Exhaust Valve is caused
by either a build up of salt crystals or sand or mud
on the valve flap and platen, or by a foreign object,
such as seaweed or thread from clothing or under
wear becoming lodged between them.
If the valve has not been used for some time, it can "take a set" and
may not function properly. If so the valve diaphram must be replaced.
SERVICE VALVE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Remove valve from suit as described above and leave off the
Back Cap.
2. Soak the valve in warm soapy water for 15 minutes.
3. Flush the valve by holding the back side (threaded part) tightlyunder a faucet, using a finger to push upward on the operating
button. Then turn on water (warm, but not hot, if possible) full
flow and rotate the valve body with the free hand as the water
flushes through the valve. Flush for several minutes then test
the valve seal as outlined below.
4. Test the exhaust valve by pushing the back (threaded part) firmlyagainst a soft smooth surface such as the skin side of a wrist seal
or the palm of your hand then pushing the operating button fully
down. The button should stay depressed and a vacuum should
form at the back opening of the valve. If there is not an air
tight seal on the back of the valve, try wetting or applying some
silicone grease to the test area. The operating button should
remain depressed (it may rise slightly at first, as it sucks the
testing surface into the back) for 20 to 30 seconds at least.
5. Try flushing and then test again if the first test does not work.If the valve persists in leaking, contact your dealer or KME
for inspection and any necessary repairs.
B. AC-100-I INFLATION VALVE;
The TRIDENT Inflation Valve will not leak water
into the dry suit as long as it is pressurized by the
L.P. hose from your air source. Water can only
leak into the dry suit around the inflation valve if
the valve is not tightened properly in the suit.
The usual cause of air leaking out of the valve, or
the valve button sticking, is worn or damaged
O-rings, which should only be serviced by KME
or an authorized KME Dealer.
TEST INLET VALVE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Remove valve from suit as described above and leave off the
Back Cap.
2. Connect the L.P. Inflator Hose on your regulator (on your
air tank, as the air source) to the valve.
3. Turn on the tank valve to source air to the system.
4. Immerse the valve into a pail of water or a filled sink.
5. Rotate the valve slowly under the water and look for
any bubbles exiting the valve body.
6. Next, turn the valve to a button up position in the water
and push the button in slowly. Let it return, rotate the button
about 1/8 turn and push in again. Do this procedure for
360 degrees to check for the button sticking in all positions.
Watch out. The air exiting from the back of the valve will
splash quite a bit.
7. If the valve checks out as OK, reinstall it in your suit. If not,
you must arrange to have the valve inspected and serviced.
WARNING! Since the TRIDENT Inflation Valve is a "pressure
vessel". NO service is authorized to be done except by a qualified
service technician at an Authorized Dealer or by KME at the factory.