Aqualung reg problems

[Cdncoldwater]

I would agree to take your regs off the boat daily and rinse them, a hassle at times but worth it IMO. The service tech shouldn't be the issue but like every trade there are good and bad ones. A LDS should be able to get you spare diaphragms if you have a good relationship and they are willing; AquaLung is not supportive of user servicing.
Where are you located, that would help with folks giving recommendations other than shipping for service. My LDS services them and I'm one of the techs there but we're in New Brunswick, Canada.

 

[keyshunter]

We have 5 Titan LX's, 3-old style firsts (as old as 25 years) and 2 new style firsts. The get used hard here in the Keys where we do several dive trips a week from May thru September. Rinsing is minimal, usually consisting of a daily hose rinse and a very occasional soaking. On the boat, they sit in the sun for many hours. We have never had a second stage diaphragm or balance chamber go bad. In fact, other than an o-ring or seat that needed replacement, the only problem has been that 2 purge covers have destructed.

 

[Couv]

I cannot add anything to the excellent information and diagnosis already posted. My advice is to learn to service (at least the second stages) yourself. Join us in the DIY forum.
Do It Yourself - DIY

 

[uncfnp]

I have to agree with most all the above. We own a total of 9 Agualung second stages and the only time we have to replace a diaphragm was when someone that wishes not to be identified damaged it while servicing (it was the lever). Our originals are 10 years old and showing no signs of wear.

Now I keep a spare.

 

[jd950]

It is just odd that within about a year we started having the counterbalance cylinder issues and diaphragm problems after so many years with no problems at all. When this started, LDS tech told me he was seeing problems with the cylinders and he wondered if Al had gotten a bad lot from a supplier, but at that point my reg was already several years old, so that seemed unlikely. Part was out of stock for months and I had to substitute with something else for a while.

It baffles me that three have gone south in the course of a year, so I guess I will take RSingler's advice and have the remaining ones replaced. The diaphragms I can see being a poor service skill issue, not that it makes me feel much better. When the first one was torn, LDS said it was so rare I needn't worry about it....it would probably never happen again. Then it did, on another reg.

Since every time I dive it means I am on a trip somewhere, and sometimes a long way from home on an expensive trip, and sometimes with no repair or parts available on the island, having gear fail in a way I cannot repair or work around is a real drag.

I am in Colorado and have primarily used a couple LDSs that are fairly close to me. I suppose I can just switch to the one I have not been using for service over the past several years. Both of those shops are real sticklers on the AL and SP rules, apparently living in fear of losing the "authorized" status if they violate, so I doubt I can get any diaphragms from them.

Annoyingly, one son's Scubapro reg has had no problems. Now I have to hear about that endlessly.

 

[rsingler]

Tip to tip spread on the Legend lever is 14.6mm.

With the stretch before the diaphragm punctured, your measure of 12-13mm between holes suggests that the lever was indeed the culprit.

 

[Centrals]

The central(harden) part of the diaphragm should be wider than 15mm at least. Because it is the area where the lever is touching.
Take a look at the tip of the lever and see if they are scratched. Polish it with very fine sand paper gently. And do not bend or widen it accidentally.

 

[Couv]

I cannot add anything to the excellent information and diagnosis already posted. My advice is to learn to service (at least the second stages) yourself. Join us in the DIY forum.
Do It Yourself - DIY

Never mind about joining us in the DIY forum. I just discovered @rsingler is putting together a dynamite Regulator Service Course via Zoom. Regulator Service Technician Training - Unrestricted That is the way to go.

 

[Centrals]

I really do believe the OP should take a careful look at the contact area between the lever and the diaphragm. It is not that difficult to remove the cover of the 2nd stage and measure the distance between the tips of the lever and also the diameter of the central part of the diaphragm. Very important if the diaphragm is NOT a genuine part.

For Apeks reg the lever should be just slightly below the rim of the casing. I would imagine the same for Aqualung.

Have to examine those parts closely. And it is really not rocket science.

Good luck

 

[halocline]

2. The LDS that services our regs has a new tech they brought on about two years ago. I have no idea about his experience, skills or attitude.

I believe that this is the problem. It is very rare to see holes in the diaphragm that were not caused by either bugs eating them or bad technicians causing them. I have some very old 2nd stages where the diaphragms have eventually broken down, and what they do is get a little sticky as the silicone starts to degrade.

It's true that tropical heat and humidity, and especially any UV from strong sunlight, will degrade silicone, but it typically takes way more time than what you have described. And your description of the way you care for and store your regs sounds excellent, so I think it's very unlikely that there's a problem in storage.

I'm not sure what the issue is with the 'counterbalance cylinders' (we call them balance chambers) but they don't usually cause a free flow. Usually what happens is there is a little slow dribble of bubbles as the pressurized air leaks into the body of the 2nd stage. Free flows are caused by either a bad seal at the main seat in the 2nd stage or unstable intermediate pressure coming from the 1st stage. If you can be more specific about the issues with what you describe as the counterbalance cylinder, maybe we can help you figure it out more.