Air pressure control for DIY reg service?

[Jimmer]

I worked for the company that makes Praxair's regulators.

Was that Victor/Thermadyne?

 

[Jimmer]

Henrik, here are the two I was thinking of:

Victor high pressure piston regulators, SR4 series,

Model: SR4J-580, 200-3000 psi output, Part # VIC781-1448
Model: SR4K-680, 300-4500 psi output, Part # VIC781-1470

 

[dlndavid]

Was that Victor/Thermadyne?

Parker Hannifin, Veriflo Div.
We private labeled for lots of companies like Praxair, Air Liquide, Air Gas.
Our local competitor was Tescom.

 

[HenrikBP]

Victor high pressure piston regulators, SR4 series,

Model: SR4J-580, 200-3000 psi output, Part # VIC781-1448
Model: SR4K-680, 300-4500 psi output, Part # VIC781-1470

Thanks Jimmer.

I did a quick search .... :shocked2:

$560 - $900 for those regulators. I'll have to keep searching - or just buy another cylinder

Thanks for the help and suggestions guys.

Henrik

 

[Couv]

If you are only servicing your own regulators Awap has the right idea. Buy a few tanks, (Craig's List is your friend) and that is all you really need. Besides, if you get a high dollar variable regulator, what air source will you use? What fittings will you have to mount your regulator on to it? I know you can get the adapters, but at a cost of more of your diving $ out the window. If you are a "fly and dive" warm water wuss like me, you may find it cheaper to rent a couple of tanks when ever you want to do a rebuild.

One thing about IP gauges. Some have a small orifice in order to protect the gauge. While this is a good idea to extend the life of the gauge, it is a bad idea when you are checking for lock up and creep.

couv

 

[captain]

With most all present day regulator first stages being balanced I really don't see much value in checking IP throughout the entire tank pressure range. If the first stage seat doesn't leak at full tank pressure it is unlikely to leak at lower pressures and IP is unlikely to change.
I have a regulator on my bench that I can adjust from 0 to 300 psi, I use it mostly to check the accuracy of the low end of the SPG range and to set IP on non balanced diaphragm first stages found in vintage two hose regulators because these are best set at 300 psi tank pressure and I don't usually have a tank laying around at 300 psi..

 

[HenrikBP]

Couv: you (and AWAP) are of course correct. Trying to hack something together myself is just going to be expensive, frustrating and may still not work as I'd hope. But as I wrote, the logistics are tricky. I own a pony bottle and have thought about getting an HP100 which might work well for local diving around here - I'm still researching that part though. But in short, bottles will have to be my air source.

And thanks for the IP gauge hint. I bought my gauge from scubatools.com, but will have to check the orifice.

Captain; all good points. This is - obviously - a learning experience for me, and your point about the balanced first stages makes perfect sense. Thank you.

About SPG testing; how do you guys go about knowing you have accurate pressure settings to compare to what the SPG is showing?

Thanks again all

Henrik

 

[Couv]

Captain has been doing this a long time. Go into the advanced search/regulator forum and pull up his handle then read his excellent post. Doing the same with DA Aquamaster, LuisH, Awap and Pescador will be time well spent.

If you bought your gauge from Scuba Tools, you can be sure it is what you need. My tip about the small orifice is for people who buy a gauge from the pneumatic tool section in a hardware store and adapt it.

c

 

[HenrikBP]

Captain has been doing this a long time. Go into the advanced search/regulator forum and pull up his handle then read his excellent post. Doing the same with DA Aquamaster, LuisH, Awap and Pescador will be time well spent.

Thanks Couv; I've spent quite a bit of time doing just that the last couple of months. It has indeed been very educational and time well spent. I have a small collection of "clippings" of wisdom on a variety of regulator topics from all these gentlemen. So thank you all.

I'm sure will have more questions once I start getting my hands dirty for real

Henrik

 

[captain]

About SPG testing; how do you guys go about knowing you have accurate pressure settings to compare to what the SPG is showing?

Thanks again all

Henrik

I have a 0 to 600 psi test gauge that I compare my SPG's to and also check the activation pressure on my J reserve valves.