Apex TX50 Raspy Breathing

[RPanick]

I have a TX50 that makes a raspy sound sometimes when breathing at depth, in this case about 40 feet fresh water. I can't make it happen in the pool or even repeatedly at depth for that matter. I can't tell any difference in breathing, its just annoying, and I don't like the idea of anything being wrong when I need it for breathing.

It didn't start happening until I had my regs serviced the first time. We have taken it appart but haven't spotted anything obvious. We also turned down the pressure from 150 PSI to 125 PSI. That seemed to help some but I still get it. The shop still hasn't quite figured out exactly what the preasure should be, which is kind of scary. Seems to work just as well at 125.

My octo a TX40 doesn't do it at all, so I'm pretty sure that its related to the TX50. The setting on the adjustment knob for breathing resistance also have no effect.

Any body have any ideas.
Bob

Any thoughts.

 

[jonnythan]

Why did you turn the IP down to 125? My manual says the IP should be 135.

 

[Greg Barlow]

A raspy sound is a bit odd. Spring harmonics can create some very strange sounds. I've had regs make these annoying sounds, and the solution was often to rotate or flip the springs in the first and second stage. I would return it to the shop and have them carry out these quick tries. I have one deco reg that has had the springs marked with permanent marker so that I can reassemble them in the same orientation. When high pressure air flows over vibrating solids it can create such sounds.

Greg

 

[RPanick]

Thanks for the info, my Apex manual doesn't have anything on what the pressure adjustment should be. The dive shop has gotten some conflicting info. I'll take it in and adjust it to 135 and try the spring trick, that might just explain it.

 

[Greg Barlow]

Thanks for the info, my Apex manual doesn't have anything on what the pressure adjustment should be. The dive shop has gotten some conflicting info. I'll take it in and adjust it to 135 and try the spring trick, that might just explain it.

When I rebuild my own Mares and Apeks regs, I set the IP to 135. It gives plenty of gas flow, yet isn't so high as to generally create adiabatic cooling problems.

Greg