2.stage leak?

[steedv]

hoi!

Fixing to start diving as soon as I get my license, I've already bought my own scuba gear. Hook'd the 1.stage and valves to the tank today, just to check for leaks. My AL LX 2nd did a small amount of "breathing". Not like I would imagine a free flow to be, just a constant weak stream of air. 2nd has been unused for 3 years now... Tried the Octo, felt just right.

Q: Is my LX broke?

 

[redacted]

Broken - unlikely. Might just need a little adjustment. If that does not fix it then it may need and "annual service". Also, the real problem could actually be the 1st stage.

 

[herman]

I agree, after 3 years of non-use and who knows when the last time it was serviced, it most likely just needs to be serviced and tuned. I would think a routine annual service is in order.

 

[steedv]

Complete gear was new 4 years ago. Used only ones for 45 mins...

Thanks for the input. I'll have a pro look at it.

Adjustment? How? I should probably just get the complete kit to a service dude.
Trying to learn as I go, what causes this?

 

[Superlyte27]

One of two things is happening.

1. The second stage needs to be adjusted. There is a cone that sits on a rubber seat, the cone is not pressed hard enough against that seat and air is leaking by. A simple adjustment (done by a certed technician) can fix that in less than 5 minutes.

2. The Intermediate Pressure of the 1st stage is too high. This is most likely because the 1st stage needs a rebuild. Same thing that happens with the second stage, where a brass cone is embedded into a teflon seat. Air is leaking by because the seat is going bad.

It doesn't matter if this thing is brand new out of the box. If a regulator has been sitting for a few years, those sharp cones are cutting into the rubber/teflon seats. When you pull the seats out, you'll see the evidence of the cone imprinting into the seat. This is how the air is leaking by.

Ultimately, it's used gear to you and it's a life support system. Get the stuff serviced.

 

[herman]

The adjustments are fairly easy to do but do require a bit of knowledge to do, certainly something you can learn if you are the least bit mechanically inclined. If you are interested in how regs work a couple of great books on the subject are "Regulator Savvy" and "Maintance and Repair of Scuba Regulators". They can be found at www.scubatools.com and www.airspeedpress.com

 

[steedv]

Thanks for the answers. I'll be sure to have it fixed.

 

[tphelps]

As an Equipment Specialty Instructor, I would say that your intermediate pressure is off. Depends on what style of regulator you have but most likely it is the valve seat at the end of the piston. Over long term use or corrosion can cause the seat to make an imprint of the valve and not seal all the way causing hair to constantly stream in. Usually you dont have to replace the seat, you can just flip it over and are good to go for a quick fix! An intermediate pressure gauge should tell you whats wrong. On most regulators, if it is over 150psi then it is off. Im not a trained technician, thats just what I have notice from the regulators I have looked at. Hope that helps!

 

[elan]

As an Equipment Specialty Instructor, I would say that your intermediate pressure is off. Depends on what style of regulator you have but most likely it is the valve seat at the end of the piston. Over long term use or corrosion can cause the seat to make an imprint of the valve and not seal all the way causing hair to constantly stream in.

How can you see over the internet that the IP is off?
IIRC his 1st is a balanced diaphragm and its normally open thus it does not make an imprint on the seat nomatter how long they stay on the shelf.

But the second stage is normally closed and they do get imprints on the seat. LX is a balanced 2nd and likely use a rivet type of seat that is not flipable.
In any case 4 years is quite long period and I would just take it in for service.

 

[redacted]

How can you see over the internet that the IP is off?
IIRC his 1st is a balanced diaphragm and its normally open thus it does not make an imprint on the seat nomatter how long they stay on the shelf.

But the second stage is normally closed and they do get imprints on the seat. LX is a balanced 2nd and likely use a rivet type of seat that is not flipable.
In any case 4 years is quite long period and I would just take it in for service.

He did say he is "an Equipment Specialty Instructor". That is even more special than an Equipment Specialist. Aren't they just amazing.

Four years in good storage conditions is really not a long time for a regulator. I would have no concerns diving such a regulator after a good inspection.