Maintenance of a Dacor ExtremeElle

Question
Mike,

I have over 200 dives on this bc and really like it other than cleaning it. The self-inflator is a 1/2" small hose in the pocket. I did not get an owners manual with the bc. Can I safely pop off any of the exhausts to really get inside and clean it?

Thanks!
Kathy  

Answer
Hi Kathy

It sounds like you've really gotten your money's worth out of that BC!  It's a nice BC and, as you probably know, Dacor no longer makes the ExtremElle.  As with most manufacturers, they're constantly changing models in order to keep sales moving.  The ExtremElle was produced around 2000-2001.

More to the point of your question...you can safely remove any of the exhaust valves on your BC as long as they have a screw-top crown.  The main exhausts are made this way.  If you haven't removed them before, they may be a bit tight due to some salt deposits in the threads.  Soaking the BC in some warm water should dissolve the deposits and make unscrewing the valve covers a bit easier.  inside the exhaust valve is a gasket and a spring-loaded disc with a rubber cover.  The spring isn't strong but be sure to remove the valve slowly so you can see how it goes back together.  When replacing the cover, don't screw it on too tightly or it will be very difficult to remove later.  

You can rinse the BC using a number of products.  Don't completely fill the BC with water.  You'll only need to put one or two quarts of water in the BC to do the job.  Warm water with a teaspoon of baking soda is a good way to deodorize and kill bacteria.  Just swish it around and let it sit in the BC for about 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly.  You can also use commercial scuba products made for this purpose if you like.  Kathy, if you don't notice an objectionable odor from the air in your BC, you can just rinse it with fresh water occasionally.  Be sure to drain it thoroughly and partially inflate it when drying it.    Inflating the BC will keep the sides of the bladder from sticking together.  When cleaning the inside of your BC, be sure not to use anything which produces suds or you'll be rinsing it for a month!!

The little self-inflator in the pocket is probably too small to be an effective way to rinse the BC.  I'd suggest removing the shoulder dump on the right shoulder, if present, or unscrew the connection where the corrugated inflator hose connects to the shoulder dump valve on your left shoulder.  If a lower rear dump valve is present at the bottom of the BC, you can remove it as well.

As a final suggestion, when draining the BC, replace all valves and inflate the BC.  Then rock the BC back and forth to move all remaining water to a low point.  Then open the dump valve at this low point and the water pressure will help push the water out of your BC.  We frequently turn the BC upside down and let the water run to the corrugated hose and dump it through the low-pressure inflator.

When you've reassembled the BC, inflate it completely with air and check for leaks at the valves you disassembled.

Kathy, I hope this answers your question.  If you need additional info, please write back.

Happy Diving!!
Mike Giles
Mike's Dive Center
mikescuba.com