Atomic Z2 for deco/stage bottles

[tbone1004]

@Cyborg Pirate in normoxic trimix depths, EAN50 is more valuable and flexible than 100% for decompression but it's also a standard gas to add to O2 for anything deep

@kensuf fair enough. I clean everything and use O2 clean lube because it's what around, but there is no reason to buy O2 compatible kits for the second stages so I don't bother. No fire risk on them at the pO2's for diving

 

[kensuf]

I also don't see any reason to go higher then 40% other then the O2 bottle

You may eventually. 50% is a great deco gas to add on top of oxygen, especially for dives in the 130-150' range.

 

[Andrew Donn]

An Atomic Aquatics Z2 wouldn't be my first choice for a stage/deco bottle and here is why. The Z2 and the rest of the atomic aquatics line of regulators come equipped with what they refer to as a seat saving orifice in the second stage. What this means is that there is a small spring that moves the sealing orifice away from the low pressure seat when pressure is relieved from the system. This helps prolong the life of the LP seal because the seat is wearing when ever the two are in contact. In the case of a stage or deco bottle you typically dive with the regulator system charged and pressurized but turned off in the case of a free-flow or other inadvertent activation. In a regulator with a seat saving orifice, any purge of the second stage caused by current or a bump of the purge button results in depressurization of the system and activation of the seat saving orifice. This opens up the second stage and allows salt water to flow into the second stage and up the LP hose and into the first stage as well.

 

[divezonescuba]

The seat saving wave washer spring on the orifice only gets activated if the ip is very low. You can see how this works with a properly tuned second stage when you depressurization it. After turning off the valve, you push the purge valve to depressurization the system. Just before is is completely depressurization, the wave washer spring pushes away, leaking the last few psi out.

This only happens when the system is almost completely depressurized. A fully pressurized 2nd stage purge cover would have to be accidentally bumped quite a few times for this to happen. I am not sure you would be any better off with a different reg if the same thing actually happened.

I use M1s and St1s for my non-100 % o2 deco bottles and have not had a problem with this issue.

I had a conversation about water going back in the hose with Glynn Palmer who conducts the atomic service classes. He did not think that this was a problem on the surface such as when rinsing a second stage. What happens at 100 meters, who knows.

Of more concern to me is the fact that z2s do not have rotatable turrets like the higher end Atomic regs. For that reason, I would not use z2s.

Interestingly enough, the simple Diverite 100% o2 reg can be pivoted around in similar fashion although it is a piston design.

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

The seat saving wave washer spring on the orifice only gets activated if the ip is very low. You can see how this works with a properly tuned second stage when you depressurization it. After turning off the valve, you push the purge valve to depressurization the system. Just before is is completely depressurization, the wave washer spring pushes away, leaking the last few psi out.

This only happens when the system is almost completely depressurized. A fully pressurized 2nd stage purge cover would have to be accidentally bumped quite a few times for this to happen. I am not sure you would be any better off with a different reg if the same thing actually happened.

I use M1s and St1s for my non-100 % o2 deco bottles and have not had a problem with this issue.

I had a conversation about water going back in the hose with Glynn Palmer who conducts the atomic service classes. He did not think that this was a problem on the surface such as when rinsing a second stage. What happens at 100 meters, who knows.

Of more concern to me is the fact that z2s do not have rotatable turrets like the higher end Atomic regs. For that reason, I would not use z2s.

Interestingly enough, the simple Diverite 100% o2 reg can be pivoted around in similar fashion although it is a piston design.

Not having a rotating turret isn't really an issue having the 5th LP port coming straight out of the 1st stage. Lays flatter while stowed and easily flex for the hose to bend and come up to the face. This is my current set up on my 30cf pony bottle I sling carry when I solo dive. I haven't ever had an issue with it in this configuration nor any issues with water getting into the hose during a dive. I open valve pressurize and test the system, enter the water and close valve (just to make sure entering water I don't have the 2nd stage flow and relive the pressure in the system)

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

But.... this is why I am asking questions.... tech diving is a whole new ball of wax. So taking what I know and what others know and applying that to my training is what I am after

 

[tbone1004]

@Cyborg Pirate the 5th port is pretty useless on stage/deco bottles. Having the swivel turret is nice because it allows you to use a shorter hose and not risk a kink

 

[Doby45]

I use this and it is perfect with a 40" hose..

Balance Piston Din First Stage

 

[tbone1004]

I use this and it is perfect with a 40" hose..

Balance Piston Din First Stage

that's what I use on my O2 bottles. My stage and deep deco bottles are Poseidon 3960's because they sit a bit closer to the valve outlet

 

[Doby45]

that's what I use on my O2 bottles. My stage and deep deco bottles are Poseidon 3960's because they sit a bit closer to the valve outlet

Correct, sorry I did not clarify, 50% O2 and up..