Test inflation of the ExLB System
Step 1: Bleed air system and disconnect hoses
To make the system as lightweight as possible, we will remove the bottles and test inflate the system.
Without the bottles, the system is extremely lightweight (under 15#) and can be hung up, stowed or otherwise put aside for the period of the testing… easier accomplished without bottles.
With the air system bled down, and the bag pulled over the system as in the previous procedure, remove the quick disconnect hoses from the ExLB manifold. Video below shows this procedure including bleed.
Step 2: Unstrap Bottles and remove
Pull the straps away from the velcro tabs and pull the latches undone. At this point, you can also loosen the straps more, but if you leave them this tight, they are a small struggle to get out, but it makes putting them back in a breeze. Otherwise, you have to un-weave the scuba strap and re-tighten properly per the diagram.
Step 3: Inflate using pump or compressor
In this video, we use a shop vacuum in “blow” mode. It gets it 90% of the way there. The only trick is to quickly reset the External Inflation/Deflation Valve (EIDV) center spring post/check valve when it is all the way full. The shop vacuum won’t inflate well through the closed valve spring. If you are inflating with pump, you can omit the step of opening the valve first.
Topping it off with a basic boat pump using the included External Inflation/Deflation Valve adapter. This literally took four pumps over where we got with the vacuum, and you can hear the relief valves lift and actuate properly. This is the condition you want to start the test.
Testing period is recommended to be the written requirement duration of 24 hours. Reality is, you will know pretty quickly if there is a leak. Bag will start to sag and won’t be drum-tight like it is now.
If the bag goes soft within a couple of hours, proceed to the troubleshooting section and begin the leak finding process.
If the bag stays inflated, deflate (simply unzip) and proceed to the “Rigging For Use” section.