Annual or longer regulator service?

[dman]

How many do any annual service on their regulators no matter how many dives you make between servicing? It seems lately that I get maybe two dive vacations a year with three to five two tank dives per trip. Last year we went in November and haven't gone since. My LDS that sold me the gear says do servicing (replacement kit from the mfgr and their labor = $85.00) every year no matter what. How about some opinions?

 

[HowardE]

This equipment is your life support underwater. I think $85 / year is worth that.

Just last week, someone on our boat didn't dive, because of non-serviced gear. There was some kind of corrosion on the low pressure inflator, which caused a free-flow situation. This person was S.O.L. for that dive, because they didn't have their gear serviced.

The point is, annual service is not a bad idea... It's not a ploy by dive shops to make more money. Even if the equipment isn't used a lot, it should still be properly maintained.

 

[SeaFlea]

I too do two trips a year which amounts to less than 50 dives. I think if you have a parts overhaul every two yrs. and properly care for your equip., it is perfectly fine. Not to mention my Atomic reg is set on a two year service schedule by the manufacturer.

My 2 cents.

 

[farrakhan]

The one year philosophy also apply's to many warranty claims. If the gear isn't serviced yearly the warranty voids. This isnt true for all brands but I know for some it is true.

 

[Vie]

My Scubapros and Apeks are serviced annually.

Most manufacturers recommend annual servicing regardless of the amount of use. Obviously a reg that is used constantly (i.e. rental reg) should be serviced more often—I’ve heard every 100 dives being quoted.

Apeks recommends that, “The 2nd Stage should be serviced annually. The 1st Stage should have the intermediate pressure checked and filter changed annually and be fully serviced every 2 years.”

Atomic Aquatics recommends that their regs should be inspected annually and fully serviced every two years/300 dives.

 

[dman]

Thanks for the responses.

Farrakhan - Yes my LDS said to keep the warranty it had to be serviced annually. Come to think of it I believe the kit is free under the warranty and the $85.00 is for the labor. I have always had both regs serviced prior to the first trip of the year. Will do so again this year before our trip in january to Bora Bora.

Both regs are Tusa and haven't had a bit of problems with them. After I bought them from my LDS I found outr I could get them cheaper online - big surprise - but his service price would be double. In the end, I did buy my two kids regs online and have had them serviced at a different LDS that charged the same whether I bought from them or not.

 

[BrianS]

Actually, like most items, the less you use it, the more often you should get it serviced. Since the moving parts are not moving as often.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Second stages normally need service as in most designs the second stage seat is pressed against the second stage orifice constantly - even when the reg is not being used.

Some second stages use a poppet design that relieves this pressure against the seat - but they are also a lot more complex and benfit from an annual service anyway. Plus the system is more or less open which allows creepy crawly things to find their way into places where you do not want them. Some other designs use a key or pin to keep the purge slightly depressed to accomplish the same task of keeping the seat off the orifice in a lower tech way. But these do again leave the system open which can cause dust and insect issues.

First stages do not have shelf life issues, but are more prone to corrosion problems in inadequately rinsed, so skipping a year may not be cost effective in the end.

$85 for labor on a reg set is a little on the high side, but not really outrageous. I am not sure what you pay to go on one or 2 tropical trips per years, but we average $1500-$2500 per 7 day trip from where I live to anywhere nice. So unless you are getting really good deals from your travel agent, $85.00 is a drop in the bucket campared to the prioce of the trip and more importantly is extremely cheap insurance to ensure the reg will work on the trip.

I do not recommend a service right before a trip as if an adjustment issue or other problem occurs, it will be on the first dive or two after the annual service. And issues do develop from time to time even with the best techs and the most careful service. Most are a 2 minute fix, but it's hard to do when the customer is 200 miles away.

One option for the infrequent diver who does not want to shell out for a full service is to get a flow check. This will involve an inspection and flow test on the bench to ensure everything is operating properly. Cost is around $10-$20. It offers cheap insurance without having to worry about slight freeflows, etc caused by a new seat breaking in on the trip, or a variety of other things and is a better option for the last minute traveler