Question Aqua lung core regulator hissing

[Scoooter961]

My regulator is making a slight hissing noise. Kinda sounds like a leaky oring on a tank. It has 80 dives on it since it was overhauled in January. Here is a video of it. If I wiggle the purge bar it gets worse. Is this something I can adjust until it goes in for service in January?

Hissing saved in Google drive


If the link isn’t working let me know

 

[Scoooter961]

Hissing

 

[Pearlman]

I am a newbie to regulator maintenance and not familiar with the internals of that reg but OTOH if not an O-ring on the inlet side then it could be the soft seat (poppet) and hard seats (orifice) are not sealing properly and the reg may need adjusting - can’t say if it’s the orifice or the spring load or the demand lever. Or perhaps the soft seat may need replacing… assuming the IP from your first stage is good. I’m afraid you will need a regulator technician for that.

 

[Nemrod]

You need to check that the IP is in specification and does not exceed 140 psi (9.5 bar, 8.5 for Supreme if cold water usage is a thing for you). If that checks okay then most likely the LP seat has taken a set and the orifice needs to be adjusted about 1/16 turn inward or possibly the LP seat is damaged/worn/cut.



The LP seat is Item 22 and the LP orifice is Item 15. If you turn Item 15 inward (1/16 or less turn per check), be sure to press the lever down. The regulator will need to be depressurized at each adjustment unless you have an inline tool. If you cannot do these things then it is time to trust it to a "tech" whatever that might mean.

IMO, it is probable this regulator was possibly not adjusted correctly at last service and was set too light. Now that the seat has taken a set it is slightly leaking. This can be accounted for in set up but sometimes the best laid plans go to Hades.

The Core is the same second stage as the Legend minus the adjustable feature. They are solid little regs.

 

[Scoooter961]

You need to check that the IP is in specification and does not exceed 140 psi (9.5 bar, 8.5 for Supreme if cold warter usage is a thing for you). If that checks okay then most likely the LP seat has taken a set and the orifice needs to be adjusted about 1/16 turn inward or possibly the LP seat is damaged/worn/cut.



The LP seat is Item 22 and the LP orifice is Item 15. If you turn Item 15 inward (1/16 or less turn per check), be sure to press the lever down. The regulator will need to be depressurized at each adjustment unless you have an inline tool. If you cannot do these things then it is time to trust it to a "tech" whatever that might mean.

IMO, it is probable this regulator was possibly not adjusted correctly at last service and was set too light. Now that the seat has taken a set it is slightly leaking.This can be accounted for in set up but sometimes the best laid plans go to Hades.

The Core is the same second stage as the Legend minus the adjustable feature. They are solid little regs.

Thanks. I’ll try that tomorrow and report back

 

[Nemrod]

Make adjustments of 1/32 to 1/16 turn per adjustment until leakage stops and then another 1/32 to 1/16 turn. Depressurize between adjustments. Press the lever with each adjustment of the orifice (crown) to prevent cutting the LP seat.

You can check cracking effort by submerging the first stage in water, mouthpiece up. It should flow (a lot) before the diaphragm is more than about 1.8 inches below the surface. That is the farm tech method. A Magnehelic is the correct/precise method.

 

[Scoooter961]

Make adjustments of 1/32 to 1/16 turn per adjustment until leakage stops and then another 1/32 to 1/16 turn. Depressurize between adjustments. Press the lever with each adjustment of the orifice (crown) to prevent cutting the LP seat.

You can check cracking effort by submerging the first stage in water, mouthpiece up. It should flow (a lot) before the diaphragm is more than about 1.8 inches below the surface. That is the farm tech method. A Magnehelic is the correct/precise method.

Do you mean to press the purge valve while adjust it?

 

[Nemrod]

Do you mean to press the purge valve while adjust it?

Yes, or if the cover is removed then press the lever (Item 20). You want the seat retracted from the orifice (crown) when the orifice is adjusted (turned in or out).

Edit to add, not sure what you mean by purge "bar"? This is a demand regulator. The lever is depressed when your demand creates a vacuum in the case that pulls the diaphragm inward depressing the lever which retracts the seat from the orifice (crown) and allows air to flow to satisfy your demand. Yes, if the diaphragm and cover are in place, press the purge, if removed then press the demand lever. We just want the seat retracted from the orifice when it is turned/adjusted.

 

[happy-diver]

rsingler better watch out

The good thing about that hissing is that it hisses into your mouth where the hissing is supposed to hiss

 

[Scoooter961]

Make adjustments of 1/32 to 1/16 turn per adjustment until leakage stops and then another 1/32 to 1/16 turn. Depressurize between adjustments. Press the lever with each adjustment of the orifice (crown) to prevent cutting the LP seat.

You can check cracking effort by submerging the first stage in water, mouthpiece up. It should flow (a lot) before the diaphragm is more than about 1.8 inches below the surface. That is the farm tech method. A Magnehelic is the correct/precise method.

Thanks that worked perfectly! I might have gone a 1/16 total. What happens if I went farther just out of curiosity?