apeks hard to breathe

[waterwraith]

I have a brand new Apeks ATX50 regulator. I have had several dives with it and on each dive (freshwater 75-85°F) when I am lying on my back or standing straight up and down the reg gets harder to breathe, not horribly so, but the resistance is substantial. I have tried the Venturi adjustment and the fine tune knob and nothing has worked. This problem occurs at all depths. In a standard position the reg breathes like a dream. Is this normal for this reg or do I need to have it tuned. My ATX40 octo also does the same thing.

Any info from the very few apeks users on this board would be appreciated. just kidding.

 

[WaterDawg]

Most (if not all) regs breathe worst in any non diving position.

 

[Charlie99]

All regs do this to some extent. The bigger the distance between your mouth and the diaphram on the front of the reg, the bigger the effect will be.

 

[GDI]

All regs will have a difference in breathing performance when in any other position than the face down scuba position. If the difference is really that great make sure that your IP is adjusted correctly, about 135 psi, and that the 2nd stages are set correctly other than that it most likely is working fine

 

[waterwraith]

Thats strange because I have never had a reg breathe hard in the vertical position before and face up the reg usually just vibrates more. I will have the IP checked when I have them serviced next week. thanks for the responses.

 

[rescuediver009]

vibrations? I never had that with mine. As mentioned it is common for regs to breath not so good when upside down. I don't know about straight vertical. A good way to troubleshoot for youself is to take the pressurized reg and open all the knobs and venturis and hammer the purge button hard and fast. if the reg freeflows until you close the venturi or put your finger in front of it, you are likely getting the right supply of gas. Also how does it breathe on the surface? This is when the diaphgragm should vibrate. Has this been going on long or did it just show up?

 

[ppo2_diver]

I've had no problems with my ATX50. Even upside down it breathes fine. When I demonstrate buoyancy for my classes, I'll hover upside down for a couple of minutes. Students get a kick out of that. My Apeks stays dry and easy to breath.

 

[Charlie99]

I've had no problems with my ATX50. Even upside down it breathes fine. When I demonstrate buoyancy for my classes, I'll hover upside down for a couple of minutes. Students get a kick out of that. My Apeks stays dry and easy to breath.

There should be little, if any, difference in cracking pressure between vertical heads up, and vertical feet up.

Cracking pressure will be lowest when you are face down and the front of your reg and the diaphram are at the lowest point.

Cracking pressure will be highest when you are on your back, looking at the surface and the diaphram is at the highest point.

Charlie Allen

disclaimer: I'm not a professional reg tech, but I have stayed in a Holiday Inn and if you look at how the differential pressure across the diaphram works to open the 2nd stage valve, it's obvious why the above statements are true.

 

[waterwraith]

vibrations? I never had that with mine. As mentioned it is common for regs to breath not so good when upside down. I don't know about straight vertical. A good way to troubleshoot for youself is to take the pressurized reg and open all the knobs and venturis and hammer the purge button hard and fast. if the reg freeflows until you close the venturi or put your finger in front of it, you are likely getting the right supply of gas. Also how does it breathe on the surface? This is when the diaphgragm should vibrate. Has this been going on long or did it just show up?

I have tried opening all the knobs and venturis when you press the purge it freeflows until you close the venturi. The atx50 breathes fine at the surface and there is no vibration. I have had vibrations in other brands of regs (TUSA, Dacor)the only problems with the atx50 have been standing vertical and lying in the horizontal position facing the surface.

 

[rescuediver009]

I have tried opening all the knobs and venturis when you press the purge it freeflows until you close the venturi. The atx50 breathes fine at the surface and there is no vibration. I have had vibrations in other brands of regs (TUSA, Dacor)the only problems with the atx50 have been standing vertical and lying in the horizontal position facing the surface.

Ok man sounds like there is somethng wrong with the reg. the only other user error I can think of is that your tank valve is not all the awy open. I don't mean to insult your intelligence by any means, just trying to think of all the possibilities. Otherwise I would take it to your LDS and have it looked at. Worst comes to worst you get it warrantied. Just make sure that you are consistant and clear with your problem (i.e. it always does it in those positions)
IT is definetely a gas supply volume problem though. There is enough pressure to initiate the breath, but the reg has a hard time giving you the gas you need so it does it in spurts. Definetely not supposed to happen with an Apeks. I know mine is better than I could want.

Good luck,