Atomic T3 Regulator - Still worth the money in 2018?

[scubafanatic]

There are two ways people get a Ti reg shell out $$$ or find an older Ti that need updating. I have done several that way and personally like the old T1x which cost me less than new Z3 (of course I did all the work).

Seems like a good idea in theory, but over the years I've read sagas of folks here on SB who went that route (or financially explored going that route) and it seemed to be about as expensive (parts and labor) to upgrade an old T1 or T2 as to just go ahead any buy the new current production Ti regulator, so I lost interest in that route and look for 'deals' on SB or E-bay and dive them 'as-is'.

 

[Sibataow]

What concerns do you have with the Titanium regulators and technical diving? I wouldn't use one for a deco regulator, due to the increased oxygen content. However, for backgas, I don't think you'll have any compatibility issues. Do you still use it with a single tank configuration?

Correct on the deco regulator and higher oxygen content. As for the backgas, it really just came down to I wanted them to be DIN and a matching set. Changing it over to DIN and buying another T3 just seemed too expensive in an already expanding black hole for money that is starting technical diving. Especially when it made a great set to keep configured for my single tank recreational trips.

 

[eelnoraa]

What concerns do you have with the Titanium regulators and technical diving? I wouldn't use one for a deco regulator, due to the increased oxygen content. However, for backgas, I don't think you'll have any compatibility issues. Do you still use it with a single tank configuration?

I have heart of story. The diver lost his reg for deco bottle due to oxygen fire on the o-ring. Instead of doing his 20ft stop with back gas, he took off the right post under water and use it for on his 100% bottle. Not sure this is the kind of case is good enough of reason to not use Ti reg for back gas tho. Having that said, why would you want to use a pair for back gas to start with? aside from too much disposable income?

 

[eelnoraa]

Seems like a good idea in theory, but over the years I've read sagas of folks here on SB who went that route (or financially explored going that route) and it seemed to be about as expensive (parts and labor) to upgrade an old T1 or T2 as to just go ahead any buy the new current production Ti regulator, so I lost interest in that route and look for 'deals' on SB or E-bay and dive them 'as-is'.

It really depends on how much you pay for the older Ti reg. Crazy deals come up once in a whole. With a bit DIY, the overall cost can be very reasonable.

 

[lexvil]

It really depends on how much you pay for the older Ti reg. Crazy deals come up once in a whole. With a bit DIY, the overall cost can be very reasonable.

That is the secret, the update is a $70 kit, and do it yourself repack is $12(once you have to tool) I still don’t want to pay the going rate for the ti but if one showed up in front of me at the right price...

 

[eelnoraa]

That is the secret, the update is a $70 kit, and do it yourself repack is $12(once you have to tool) I still don’t want to pay the going rate for the ti but if one showed up in front of me at the right price...

Actually, it is more than what you quoted. $70’is just stainless steel jet seat piston upgrade. Money version is $100. You may not need it if you can locate non jet seat maintainance kit. But this applies to Ti and non Ti if you have a too old of Atomic 1st stage.

Repacking ambient chamber actually cost $30-40 worth of lube. But again, not unique to Ti reg at all.

I think there are a few more items to replace, but I don’t know them on top of my head. I would say maybe total of $150 worth of parts on 1st rage. Maybe our resident atomics experts can confirm.

 

[lexvil]

Actually, it is more than what you quoted. $70’is just stainless steel jet seat piston upgrade. Money version is $100. You may not need it if you can locate non jet seat maintainance kit. But this applies to Ti and non Ti if you have a too old of Atomic 1st stage.

Repacking ambient chamber actually cost $30-40 worth of lube. But again, not unique to Ti reg at all.

I think there are a few more items to replace, but I don’t know them on top of my head. I would say maybe total of $150 worth of parts on 1st rage. Maybe our resident atomics experts can confirm.

Does the “T” use a Monel piston? I thought it used the same stainless piston and it comes with the other o rings in the kit, the conversion kit is pretty much a service kit with the new (15 years ago) piston, correct me if I’m wrong. The ambient chamber doesn’t hold all that much lube, I can do two regs with a 2oz tube and have enough left to use as an assembly lube for a lot of projects. I do use tribolube which only runs $32 a tube or less for t-71 or t-66 for $24, on my stuff I use T66 because I’m never getting it water cold enough to make it sluggish.

 

[scubafanatic]

It really depends on how much you pay for the older Ti reg. Crazy deals come up once in a whole. With a bit DIY, the overall cost can be very reasonable.

Perhaps not quite as cheap to upgrade as you might think (see sample thread below)

Upgrading an Atomic T1x to a T2x?

'crazy' deals are few and far between, I've scored a couple over the last few years on very nice condition units (barely used) but usually those 1/2 price Ti regs have been rode hard and put away wet and have numerous cosmetic scratches/flaws and are not what I would consider bargains.

 

[Scared Silly]

Seems like a good idea in theory, but over the years I've read sagas of folks here on SB who went that route (or financially explored going that route) and it seemed to be about as expensive (parts and labor) to upgrade an old T1 or T2 as to just go ahead any buy the new current production Ti regulator, so I lost interest in that route and look for 'deals' on SB or E-bay and dive them 'as-is'.

For the first stage one is looking at at least updating to the monel piston and sealing the reg. If AA does the upgrade then they replace a couple of other parts, the swivel retainer and the HP seat retainer. At that point AA says the reg can be air or nitrox (where as in the past it had to be one or the other but not both).

Anything after that, which is second stage is purely cosmetic. I replaced the exhaust and purge cover, later was shot. So the cost of a "color" kit. All total ~$250 in parts in including the service kits.

Does the “T” use a Monel piston? I thought it used the same stainless piston and it comes with the other o rings in the kit, the conversion kit is pretty much a service kit with the new (15 years ago) piston, correct me if I’m wrong.

The T2x and T3 use the monel piston so that the reg can be used with both air and nitrox interchangeably. With SS piston one was to dedicate the reg to air or nitrox but not both.

 

[eelnoraa]

Does the “T” use a Monel piston? I thought it used the same stainless piston and it comes with the other o rings in the kit, the conversion kit is pretty much a service kit with the new (15 years ago) piston, correct me if I’m wrong. The ambient chamber doesn’t hold all that much lube, I can do two regs with a 2oz tube and have enough left to use as an assembly lube for a lot of projects. I do use tribolube which only runs $32 a tube or less for t-71 or t-66 for $24, on my stuff I use T66 because I’m never getting it water cold enough to make it sluggish.

I think I haven't been buying the lube at the right place or the right lube. Last time, I paid about $60 for 2oz. I can do almost 2 packing with that. Can you let me know here you get yours?