Apeks and Nitrox

[fabitolindo]

Hi,

I just bought an Apeks at20 reg. The manual says that it can not be used with nitrox... Can it ever be "cleaned" for nitrox (40%) in an althorized shop?

Fabito

 

[O-ring]

Most Apeks are good with Nitrox blends up to 40% O2 right out of the box, but I am not familiar with the AT20. Have you checked their website?

In many situations regs can be "converted" for Nitrox use and I think that Mares are not Nitrox out of the box, but Dacor are, but they use the same damn o-rings, etc. anyway so who knows. The dive industry seems to not be able to make up its mind here...

 

[VTWarrenG]

fab,

You've stirred up the hornets' nest of the diving industry -- several factors, including liability, are involved in the classification of regulators as nitrox-capable.

In general, just about any regulator is, out of the box, capable of delivering nitrox up to about 40%, regardless of what the dive shop or the manufacturer might say. There is no need to oxygen clean a regulator that will only see sub-40% nitrox. (Tanks and tank valves are a different story.)

Directly taken from Apeks' website:

Q. Can my Apeks' regulator be converted for Oxygen/Nitrox service?
A. All Apeks regulators as standard are suitable for use with up to 40% O2. The following models can be converted for nitrox use with over 40% oxygen ( up to 100%); T40D, TX40, T50D, TX50, TX100, T20, ATX200, ATX100, ATX50, ATX40, AT20, Late 5000ST and Sentinels. Older piston 1st Stages cannot be converted.

Another, unrelated word of caution: don't use a titanium reg for nitrox service. Titanium is a Class II combustible metal, and does not belong in a pressurized high-O2 environment.

- Warren

 

[O-ring]

I think the manual may be wrong or someone is blowing smoke...it sounded funny to me...

Q. Can my Apeks' regulator be converted for Oxygen/Nitrox service?

A. All Apeks regulators as standard are suitable for use with up to 40% O2. The following models can be converted for nitrox use with over 40% oxygen ( up to 100%); T40D, TX40, T50D, TX50, TX100, T20, ATX200, ATX100, ATX50, ATX40, AT20, Late 5000ST and Sentinels. Older piston 1st Stages cannot be converted.

Here's the source - Apeks UK

 

[VTWarrenG]

O-ring,

Jinx.

- Warren

 

[O-ring]

Does that mean I can't talk or I can't post?

 

[VTWarrenG]

Shhhh... you're jinxed!

- Warren

 

[Iguana Don]

This has been discussed to GREAT extent in the past. (I will get the links posted)

According to the US Navy, ALL regs used for anything above 24% should be O2 cleaned.

Also it is impossible to O2 clean a 2nd stage. So if your LDS wants to O2 clean your 2nd stage.........RUN and don't look back.

ID

 

[VTWarrenG]

ID,

The Navy's SOP is inconsequential to the civilian dive industry. There is no need to oxygen clean a reg that will see only sub-40% nitrox. The CGA agrees.

- Warren

 

[O-ring]

There is no need to oxygen clean a reg that will see only sub-40% nitrox.

Unless the manufacturer and/or LDS wants to make money selling you "nitrox" parts and labor to service the reg...