Power inflator malfunction

[speleocrone]

Does anyone know what could cause a power inflator to suddenly inflate without being pressed?

[bletso]

That would be the failure of one internal o-ring, but it should have been giving you indications before.

Dale

[gasdiver]

Sand or grit under the button can cause it to slowly inflate. A spring failure may also cause intermittent rapid inflation.

[a64pilot]

I've had one do it before, and on mine I think it was a failure of a spring. Unless I'm mistaken, mine was actually very similar to a schrader valve (tire stem valve). It's been years ago, but mine failed slowly. That is it just kept leaking into the bladder, no sudden inflation

[phillip1]

I have had that happen to me too, the button got stuck on and I had to disconnect the hose asap, almost hit the ceiling hard.

[T. Bix]

I had this happen to me last year with my (then) brand new HOG wing. There is an internal O-ring that jambed against or between the button and the schrader valve. I've removed the offending seal and HOG has switched to a more standard inflator.... I've been meaning to ask Chris about a replacement but I fixed it myself and I doubt that it would be warrantable anyway. But the symptom was the same slow inflation and a lot of "WTF is going on with my bouyancy?????" "I know I can manage better than this"....... and some "why am I dumping air when I didn't add any???"

BTW: What brand of wing is it?

[jvos]

I had one freeze up on me a few years ago, in Florida. Adding air to wings on the surface. It was 17 degrees F. No problems in the water.

[huxley]

wrong size o ring after you bring it in the shop, had that happen years ago. Gueso ring was a little to big and it did not shut off after you use the inflate button. sometimes it worked sometimes it jammed.
I leave the backup inflator of my dual bladder unhooked but strapped to the inflator hose. In case I will need it I can connect it but don't have to fear that it will inflate accidentally.

[chrispete]

Had one do it this past year with no warning, and not from sticking while inflating. Pulled it apart and an o-ring had gone.

[FW]

Mine usually leak awhile, before they get to the point of uncontrollable inflation. I have learned to fix them before that happens