Who will service the regulator yourself? Any Pro can advise?

[Bob DBF]

Well it depends on how good a mechanic you are.

I never took my regs to a shop unless I had a problem with them, its amazing how long they will go without "required" maintainance. Just keep them clean, rinse them off and don't abuse them.

I started repairing my own gear because the shops won't / can't because they were too old, and because of surf entries where I found that pulling apart a second would remove the sand better. However, I have always been a technician / mechanic, read a lot and know when I am over my head in a project. I just gradually increased the complexity of the gear that I would work on.

I have a fairly complete set of mechanics tools and have manufactured some special tools for work on dive gear. If you don't, it behoves you not to round off nuts, break out screw heads, bust parts, and strip screws as it will cost you a lot more when it finally gets to the LDS.

The Repairing your own Gear forum is good, http://www.frogkick.dk/manuals/ for tech manuals, as well as searching Google for the issue with which you are dealing.



Bob
-----------------------------------
It's SCUBA not brain surgury

I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.

 

[Thalassamania]

If you can fix a leaky toilet you can fix a regulator. As to life support, in recreational diving (at least) your life support is your ability to make a free ascent.

 

[Wookie]

Do you have any data on regulator failure related accidents as a function of "professional" service, DIY service and no service? How about information on qualifications and training required to become a regulator technician?

I have LOTS of anecdotal evidence that suggests that regulators returned from service from the LDS without being tested in the pool will fail as soon as the vacation starts. The chances of failure are directly proportional to the distance from shore, the number of spare parts available on the boat, and the price paid for the trip. If you have one fail, the chances that a qualified technician is available, has parts, and the proper tools to repair it is inversely proportional to the above. AWAP, you have been out with me and seen regulators fail on the first dive and listened to the passenger exclaim loudly that "it just came back from service". I know once it was the guy setting next to you. He had a Dacor.

My best advice is to make a deal with your LDS. Tell them you will buy your regulator as long as they let you look over their shoulder when it is being repaired, they give you a copy of the service procedure, and a parts blowup of the regulator in question, and sell you the kit when you leave town. Inflater regulators are notoriously difficult to set properly (Air Source, Air 2, SS1, etc.), so I'd let the tech do it. If you have a really really good relationship with the LDS, they may sponsor you for the regulator technician class when it comes to town. That happens sometime between $10- and $20 thousand spent.

YMMV

 

[Thalassamania]

Or better still, buy a HOG, take their class and repair it yourself. It's a good, solid, high performance reg and the manufacturer has no heartburn making sure that sort of trip tragedy does not take place.

 

[Wookie]

Or better still, buy a HOG, take their class and repair it yourself. It's a good, solid, high performance reg and the manufacturer has no heartburn making sure that sort of trip tragedy does not take place.

I meant to say that too. when it comes time to service it, sell your HOG on EBAY for more than you paid for it, and buy a new one. If I wasn't so invested in Atomics, I'd have HOGS for sure.

 

[Thalassamania]

The only way to change the manufacturer's mistreatment of their customers (which respect to parts and service courses) is to make HOG the best selling regulator in the world. They'll change their tune faster than you can say NITROX.

 

[Akimbo]

I encourage all divers to be able to repair their own regulators just to learn how they work and that there isn’t any magic inside. You may choose to dissect and repair a used regulator from a garage sale rather than the one you dive with, but the experience is valuable beyond words.

Many manufacturers will overhaul a regular at the factory. It is often a little more expensive but your probability of getting all the right parts and correct re-assembly is much higher. Compare that to a dive shop with some kid facing a wall full of plastic parts drawers in between filling tanks. A few shops are pretty good, but most use the same bench for repairing regulators and outboards.

I am far more inclined to service a regulator after it starts to leak by returning it to the factory than “service” it every year or two at a dive shop.

 

[Thalassamania]

When I need a reg serviced and I can't do it myself, and can't get it done by the manufacturer, I use Professional Scuba Repair.

 

[Gilldiver]

I love the “it’s life support gear and must be repaired by a professional” line of talking. A regulator is a set of pressure reducing valves, all it is/ all it ever will be.
Now, the most important Llife Support or Safety” equipment that you will do, or be exposed to, are car breaks. How many of those cars coming at you at 40-70+ miles per hour had their breaks repaired/maintained by the driver or a shade tree mechanic? Are you nervous about the quality of the breaks of the avg SUV with a bumper about level with the bottom of the glass of your door?
I wonder what would be some posters attitude to a licensed and factory trained auto mechanic walking up to them while they changed the break pads on their car and saying that they had no business doing so to any safety equipment on their car?

After all, the breaks on their car are responsible for their safety, the safety of their family, and the safety of many, many others on the roads that they might hit and kill if the breaks should fail.

 

[redacted]

My regulator is not essential for life support. If you think yours is, you might be doing something wrong.