Atomic SS1 After Service Free Flow

[GameBuoy]

I took three Atomic Aquatics SS1 octopus/BCD inflator combos in for service after having them work flawlessly for quite a few years.

Got them back and they all were fine when I tested them on a tank in preparation for our upcoming dive vacation. However, during the dive vacation after a few dives, two of the three started free-flowing from the purge valve when the air was opened. The dive shop adjusted the pressure setting in the second stage of the SS1 to get them to stop free-flowing but now one seemed set so high that it doesn't free-flow when the purge valve is pressed.

What was odd was that they came back and seemed fine but after several dives/days they started exhibiting problems (one after the first day, the other after the third day, then the first again after two more days).

I can take them back to the shop to get them adjusted but my problem, and question, is how can I tell if they are truly fixed or if they will start free-flowing again after a few more dives (when we may happen to be out of the country again)?

I want peace of mind that they are in working order and I won't have problems on my next trip after X # of dives.

Welcome helpful insights...

Thanks

 

[happy-diver]

Are you ready to invest some time in dumkopf avoidance

Post in thread 'Atomic SS1 schematic / manual?'

Sep 3, 2021

The manual can be found at Vintage Double Hose
Vintage Double Hose - Information
Scroll to the bottom of the page-->Manuals & Catalogs--> agree/continue-->Manuals & Catalogs-->select Atomics and find your regulator.

• Couv

• 

perhaps make an investment in a screwdriver and spanner

Ther are a million good people on here to walk you through if at least to recognise the issues

 

[TravisD]

Can you turn the nipple that the LP hose connects to by hand? I had one that did a similar behavior - the internal guts were not seated correctly and turning the nipple changed the adjustment. Happened in the middle of a dive week...

 

[lexvil]

Take them back and have them adjusted, while waiting for them to finish read the manual that Happy posted.

 

[GameBuoy]

Are you ready to invest some time in dumkopf avoidance

Post in thread 'Atomic SS1 schematic / manual?'

Sep 3, 2021

The manual can be found at Vintage Double Hose
Vintage Double Hose - Information
Scroll to the bottom of the page-->Manuals & Catalogs--> agree/continue-->Manuals & Catalogs-->select Atomics and find your regulator.

• Couv

• 

perhaps make an investment in a screwdriver and spanner

Ther are a million good people on here to walk you through if at least to recognise the issues

The link to the SS1 repair manual doesn't work. I signed up for the website and still have not received a reply/validation email, either.

Would welcome the manual if you can post it, an alternate link or DM.

Thanks

 

[TravisD]

DM sent...

 

[rsingler]

So what the OP described sounds like this:
They were tuned too light to start. They then started to leak due to the LP seat taking an Impression, despite that freefloating orifice. Must have been way too light, which is odd, because the SS1 housing halves actually have to be unscrewed a bit to reduce cracking effort below 1.4". Or maybe the lever nut was just 1/12 turn too tight.
In any case, when they were "retuned", the shop just screwed in the orifice and didn't open the faceplate to raise the lever. Now the cracking effort is stiff, but the lever is unsafely low. Hence the poor purge. Does the reg rattle when you shake it when pressurized?

My suggestion, find another shop. That poor purge means the reg might not keep you alive at depth with thick gas. The valve isn't opening far enough because the lever is too low.

"It ain't rocket science, but it sure is precise!"

 

[GameBuoy]

I've sent them all in to Atomic to adjust/service. Thanks...

 

[happy-diver]

Well if you are unable to navigate working links this is how it was written

 

[GameBuoy]

Well if you are unable to navigate working links this is how it was written

I don't even understand your reply. Your links did not/do not work and the website isn't accepting new users:

I assumed the goal of this forum is to join a like-minded group of divers that might help each other, not be snarky and act superior. But clearly as a new poster (but 40+ year diver), it seems I have gotten it wrong.

Or maybe I didn't - thank you rsingler and TravisD.