How much is involved in rebuilding your own 1st, 2nd stages?

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I am not really interested in learning to do it myself necseearily, However, I talked with my Tech and asked if I could watch (so i could understand how it works, to understand a failure better should one occur) And he agreed to let me watch, and after he dissasemled it, he showed me each part and explained its purpose, and what its failure symptoms might be. It was really a benefit for me to see what/how things worked, and to him, so if i have something wrong, I can tell him what it might be in more detail. Although I am sure that I could do it myself, Our Club gets free annual checks from him, and I have parts for life on Most of my equipment, so he knows there is really no reason for me to try it at home.
 
Sounds like the best of all worlds. If only the rest of us has such sweet deals.

Learning a bit is worthwhile just for the peace of mind that comes with understanding.

Pete



hollywood703:
I am not really interested in learning to do it myself necseearily, However, I talked with my Tech and asked if I could watch (so i could understand how it works, to understand a failure better should one occur) And he agreed to let me watch, and after he dissasemled it, he showed me each part and explained its purpose, and what its failure symptoms might be. It was really a benefit for me to see what/how things worked, and to him, so if i have something wrong, I can tell him what it might be in more detail. Although I am sure that I could do it myself, Our Club gets free annual checks from him, and I have parts for life on Most of my equipment, so he knows there is really no reason for me to try it at home.
 
I am not really interested in learning to do it myself necseearily, However, I talked with my Tech and asked if I could watch (so i could understand how it works, to understand a failure better should one occur) And he agreed to let me watch, and after he dissasemled it, he showed me each part and explained its purpose, and what its failure symptoms might be. It was really a benefit for me to see what/how things worked, and to him, so if i have something wrong, I can tell him what it might be in more detail. Although I am sure that I could do it myself, Our Club gets free annual checks from him, and I have parts for life on Most of my equipment, so he knows there is really no reason for me to try it at home.

I sure wish my dive shop would allow me to watch... I even offered to pay them to let me watch and they said no. Lame. I'm definitely developing some bad feelings about this shop. They act really nice, but I can tell they're not being totally upfront. When I said I wanted to rebuild my reg in the future, all I got was statements like "I wouldn't ever dive with you" and "It's life support equipment... You're gonna kill yourself". However, they have no idea of my capabilities with respect to working on and designing mechanical equipment... Even "life support" equipment. Then I mentioned that I packed my own parachutes for skydiving all the time... They said that parachutes weren't life-support equipment... LOL. Yeah right. Obviously they've never relied on a parachute to save their lives... If they both completely fail, then you've got about 15 seconds to live. Period. End of story. No buddies. No exceptions. Splat. Not to minimize the dangers of scuba diving, but there is no buddy system in skydiving... It's you and you alone that saves your life on every single jump. It just sort of pissed me off, (obviously or I wouldn't be ranting about it) lol. Rant off.

So where can I get replacement parts for an AquaLung Legend LX Supreme and an AquaLung Air Source II?
 
I sure wish my dive shop would allow me to watch... I even offered to pay them to let me watch and they said no. Lame. I'm definitely developing some bad feelings about this shop. They act really nice, but I can tell they're not being totally upfront. When I said I wanted to rebuild my reg in the future, all I got was statements like "I wouldn't ever dive with you" and "It's life support equipment... You're gonna kill yourself".


Ask to see the certificate of training your shop tech has for the regulator you own. Chances are he has no formal training or certification by that manufacturer or for that exact model. Even if he does, attending a 1/2 day DEMA intro tech course doesn't make him any more capable than yourself.

But, to be fair in my statement, there are folks working as regulator tech's who have no formal training that really know their stuff. It's kinda like dive training where they say it's the instructor and not the agency.

So just because they work at the shop doesn't mean they know more than you do or that they are doing it right.

So where can I get replacement parts for an AquaLung Legend LX Supreme and an AquaLung Air Source II?

most of the well known shops on here will sell you rebuild kits. Just contact one of them and chances are they have the kit.
 
Ask to see the certificate of training your shop tech has for the regulator you own. Chances are he has no formal training or certification by that manufacturer or for that exact model. Even if he does, attending a 1/2 day DEMA intro tech course doesn't make him any more capable than yourself.

But, to be fair in my statement, there are folks working as regulator tech's who have no formal training that really know their stuff. It's kinda like dive training where they say it's the instructor and not the agency.

So just because they work at the shop doesn't mean they know more than you do or that they are doing it right.



most of the well known shops on here will sell you rebuild kits. Just contact one of them and chances are they have the kit.

Can you recommend any in particular that you know have good deals on kits for AquaLung? Where exactly do I look on here? Is there any way to see which ones actually sell AquaLung parts?

Also, one of the shop guys said I needed to have my Air Source II tuned to operate properly with my Legend LX... I think he might be right, because I think the IP is higher than normal, right? Or are they just trying to make more money?
 
Can you recommend any in particular that you know have good deals on kits for AquaLung? Where exactly do I look on here? Is there any way to see which ones actually sell AquaLung parts?

PM Sent...

Aqualung doesn't allow individual sell of it's rebuild kits. So don't want to post it here as they are known to harass their dealers.


Also, one of the shop guys said I needed to have my Air Source II tuned to operate properly with my Legend LX... I think he might be right, because I think the IP is higher than normal, right? Or are they just trying to make more money?

The IP on the Legend LX is a little higher than some regulators, but I don't think I had to adjust my AL ABS octo to work with it. maybe you do on the Air Source II.

Regardless, if you bought the regulator setup from him, he shouldn't be charging more money to have it set up right the first time. It should be part of the sale to work right when you get it.
 
PM Sent...

Aqualung doesn't allow individual sell of it's rebuild kits. So don't want to post it here as they are known to harass their dealers.




The IP on the Legend LX is a little higher than some regulators, but I don't think I had to adjust my AL ABS octo to work with it. maybe you do on the Air Source II.

Regardless, if you bought the regulator setup from him, he shouldn't be charging more money to have it set up right the first time. It should be part of the sale to work right when you get it.

I purchased it on eBay.
 
I'm just getting started on servicing my own regs, partially because DA Aquamaster moved and I'm not too interested in having the local guys do it. I truly doubt that it will be a money saver considering the following:
Harlowe book $50 (just got it, i love it)
Ebay repair kits, SP $15-$20 each
IP guage and assorted tools $100-150 (not sure yet what exactly I'll need)

So I'm already over $250, and I'm lucky in that awap has agreed to teach me a few things. But, in the long run, I'll feel better about taking care of my own gear, and I think it will be a fun new hobby. Best, I can toss a few tools and parts in my bag for an extended dive trip and hopefully deal with any problems that might happen while on a trip.

Ebay regs seem to be getting pricey; I saw a G250 go for over $150 the other day. OTOH, there are usually lots of MK5s, the later ones with the beefier yoke and 5 LP ports, for under $50. Tough to beat that reg for reliability and performance. I've also seen D400s for around $75, so a MK5/D400 can be had for under $150 plus the cost of the kits. You'd be hard pressed to get a new reg that performs as well for any price.

One quick question; are there any special tools needed for rebuilding a MK15? And, I'm having trouble finding a kit for that reg, lots of MK10 and MK 20 kits.
 

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