just started pumping

Yes, that is teflon tape, I think. It may not say so on the spool, but if it is real flimsy and easy to stretch it will do the trick. Use very little and stretch it around the threads on the fitting. I have noticed that the fitting on the top of the tube seems to loosen up after a bunch of uses and washings in warm water. Easy enough to snug it up again.

The “O” ring is a much more common cause of leaks though, especially if it gets washed.

The tape you guy’s are talking about “I think” is like the kind that’s on the threaded area of the gauge where the gauge screws into the pump it self and the male coupler that’s on the pump ( LA Pump’s only ) this tape was on the pump they sent me did anyone else’s pump have this tape on it?

N2H;

That is the same tape on the LA Pump gauge connection.

Thanks Avocet8, Since it’s the same tape it should stop any leaks on Rolo’s connection unless it’s the “O” ring but he can always buy a new coupler from LA Pump. By the way Avocet8/ThunderSS I wash my pump 5 days a week after every use with dish soap and there are no prob’s with my “O” ring’s yet, plus I dry after every wash. How long till prob’s start?

Just as soon as that dish soap takes enough of the body out of the “O” ring. Lube the thing up once a week with a very, very small amount of lube and you should never have that problem.

Also, if the connector is defective on a new pump, they will probably replace it free of charge.

Thanks ThunderSS,

Mine’s still functioning perfectly after 5 - 6 x week uses during the 20 months I’ve had it.

This should be in Helpful hints From Heloise:
I wash my cylinder with Dawn Ultra immediatly after I finish using it and I dry all outside and inside surfaces. The Dawn cuts the Vaseline I use at the flange end as a sealant. Somebody once told me that Vaseline somehow breaks down acryllic over time. I don’t believe that, but not a good idea hygiencally to leave any lube or Vaseline on the cylinder.

I also use dawn it’s the only thing that will cut threw the Vaseline, hand soap won’t work. As to the Vaseline eating up the tube, I’m not worried about the tube it’s getting the Vaseline on the couplers and the hose, is what I’m afraid of.

I never used Dawn, dam it sounds like it works better than Palmolive does. I never used Vasoline or Baby Oil Gel more than a couple of times. It was a bitch getting the dam stuff out of the tube, maybe I’ll give it a try again and test the Dawn out. J&J Baby Oil Gel would be ideal if the clean up problem was taken care of.

Vasoline did fog my acrylic, which means it basically got in to the small pores and it took repeated cleaning to finally get it out. I don’t know that acrylic is damaged by oil based products. Be something interesting to find out. I don’t think any kind of lube that is good for your dick will hurt the “O” rings though, but soap will eventually dry them out.

I am surprised that Avocet’s has not acted up in 20 months of use.

I use AstroGlide. No fuss, no muss, and easy water clean up. Also, I’ve experienced no problems getting a good seal. Just my two cents.

Sincerely,

Terran

Thanks guys, your help is most appreciated, I will experiment in the coming weeks with the hints you have provided and let you all know of my progress.

To diverge a little, I read a warning on Tom Hubbard’s site that stated that pumping may cause temporary impotence. Since I have started pumping I have been able to attain good erections whilst masturbating ( I have not had sex since commencing pumping), has anyone here had any issues with erections since pumping. Just curious as to why Tom would post that, maybe he is just being cautious???

Regards Rolo

It might happen during the extremes of pumping to long/ to high of a pressure, but I’ve never had impotence from pumping, maybe the other will chime in? I thought pumping is prescribed for impotence, I seriously doubt pumping causing impotence in anyone when done right. :)

Never had any problems with ED at all and I was going way overboard when I first started pumping. If you stick with Avocet’s guidelines, you will do just fine. Just pay attention to that gauge and remember to limit the amount of continuous time that you are under vacuum.

I had ED before I started pumping. Now, with some help from Viagra, I’m in the league of you younger guys again. Pumping restored my lost nocturnal erection pattern. It’s a rarity not to wake up with morning wood whereas wood used to be the rarity. Watch your pressures, avoid the temptation to overdo, and you will have no problems.

Hey Guy’s, I dug this up from a buried post from ThunderSS in the pumper’s forum. It’s about acrylic tubes and petroleum based lubes. ( Use a quality lubricant, not petroleum based, which damages the acrylic finish on the tube ). So I guess Vaseline will hurt the acrylic tubes. Here is a link to the post. :)

Pumping info