Atomic Regulator Maintenance...

[mts0628]

Hello All:

So, I am just perusing the SB and I read across a thread about Atomic Regulators. A poster stated,

One advantage the Atomic does have is a 2 yr service interval instead of annually like almost everyone else.

Now, what makes Atomic so special that they could get away with a 2 year service interval? Are their replacement parts better than other regulator's replacement parts? I wouldn't think that the non-replaceable parts have anything to do with it, but honestly, I dunno anything about Atomic regulators. Could and would someone please enlighten me?

With kindest regards from North Carolina,
Thomas

 

[Hallmac]

Hi Thomas,

To answer your question, There is nothing materially special with Atomic regulators at all.

Atomic simply requires they be overhauled every two years and foregos the annual safety check.

It is my belief that it is a calculated marketing strategy.

The other companies, require the safety check as a way to limit liability from law suits due to user neglect. It is more to show the courts that they are doing what they can to insure diver safety and prevent civil actions.

 

[tc]

True but it is probably due more to the seat on the second stage (at least on the current models) having the pressure released on it when it's removed from the tank. That keeps it from loosing its shape/getting scored as quickly as others that keep pressure on it during storage,

 

[Rick Inman]

Actually, the Atomic reg has a kind of a reverse poppet, where it is open in the off position, so the seat doesn't take a set as quickly as other regs whose poppets are closed when off. So says Atomic...

Edit: Opps! Was posting at the same time as TC. What he said.

 

[tc]

Too slow Rick.

 

[herman]

Nothing. Pretty much any reg if properly maintained can go a long time between servicing. By properly rinsing, drying, storing and being very careful not to get water inside the reg it will not likely need a rebuild for a long time. Annual servicing is mainly for service revenue for dive shops and to prevent failures that are directly caused by the diver. If anything, annual services cause more failures than they prevent. There are plenty of regs with 3,4,5 or more years between servicing that are still going strong. Now I don't necessarily recommend that long, esp. for divers who do not do their own service work but fact is if it is not abused, a reg will keep on going a long time. Abuse it and it may should be serviced after every dive.

 

[hudson]

What TC and Rick said, plus I'm fairly sure I saw somewhere that they have some preconditions such as "less than 50 dives a year" and regulator be inspected yearly for proper function.

 

[diversteve]

It's 300 hours so unless you're doing some really long dives...lol

It is recommended however that maintenance include an annual safety inspection to be performed by an authorized Atomic Aquatics dealer or by the factory. Factory or authorized dealer servicing is required at intervals of 300 dive hours or 2 years, whichever occurs first.

 

[Hallmac]

True but it is probably due more to the seat on the second stage (at least on the current models) having the pressure released on it when it's removed from the tank. That keeps it from loosing its shape/getting scored as quickly as others that keep pressure on it during storage,

Actually, the Atomic reg has a kind of a reverse poppet, where it is open in the off position, so the seat doesn't take a set as quickly as other regs whose poppets are closed when off. So says Atomic...

Yep

So says Atomic

Just curious, is the second stage poppet the only consideration in yearly inspections? If it was then I would agree. What about the first stage, hoses..ect? If the reverse poppet design was the only unit that routinely went that long without service and continued to function it would speak for itself. Most units today will withstand several years of use and continue to function correctly. Atomic recommends overhauls on the same schedule as the other manufactures.

Just thoughts, don't mind me....

 

[diversteve]

You might ask Darcy - she's their only "official" SB contact afaik - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/darcyatomic.html