Bourdon Tube Gauges Need 2/3 face value of OP?

[Cacia]

OOPS, Bordon Tube, thanks Thall. maybe a mod can change the title? At least I did not type radon.

I finally bought a new gauge (pressure) to replace a failed SP mini gauge. (Reads 300psi high for about two years now).

I bought it from a reputable deco-stop tech diver for a good price.

The SP repair guy (seems very knowledgable) gave me a lecture about how it is not for a tank of an operating pressure of 3-3500 psi because the face value does not exceed the operating pressure by 1/3 and this means the accuracy with a bordon tube will not be acceptable. He drew a picture and explained how bordon tubes work, bend etc.

Then he asked why the console is not kosher in some worlds. And he said a bordon tube gauge with nothing to absorb shock is a bad idea. Then he moved on to Halcyon tubing...oh my! and compared to SP and explained about the tiny seep holes. (indicators for bigger trouble inside)
Moving right along...he then blasted me for my Sea Cure because the mouthpeice impedes the venturi design and restricts the air inlet quite a bit. He says if you buy a SP600 and step the opening down, with another mouthpeice, you really shoot yourself in the foot and the reg won't function as designed. He suggests if I really want the Sea Cure to rip the inner ring (like a water restrictor in a shower head) out with needle nose and cut the phlange back with an exacto knife.

I am crushed.:11:

 

[do it easy]

Catherine, my dear friend, :mooner: I think that in both cases, the performance will be sub-optimal, but that it will be enough.

The whole Bourdon tube thing is about right. I've heard that they read best in the middle third of the range. However, when the pressure drops, so will the needle, although not as accurately. You'll have to rely on backup measures- like not running your tank too low :no or wiggling the HP hose to gauge how much gas you have left by how limp the hose is. :11:

As for the reg and Seacure, maybe it might not be as ideal, but it's not like it's unbreatheable. If you stick the Seacure on there and you start to get CO2 headaches, then maybe you should think about changing it, although I don't think that you'll notice the difference.

 

[Cacia]

thanks.

I will try the new SP mouthpeice---it is longer and more substantial now.

Bourdon tube...oh yea a bell ringing from DM course.

He worried me about the Halcyon tubing a bit. So...I followed everyone's advice with the service call.. now my list has grown. I di get to see inside my reg, water baths, pneumatic balanced reg, etc....kinda fun. The diaphragm looked pretty good but sort of milky instead of clear...but no precipitate or anything.

the performance will be sub-optimal,

... but I don't want sub-optimal.

 

[onfloat]

Apeks come with a Sea Cure mouth piece.

Most gauges are considered inaccurate at the upper and lower 10% of the total value of the guage. That's why you try not to take a tank below 500psi (10% of 5000). They are most accurate at dead center and go from there.

 

[sea nmf]

C-

Have you tried the Comfo-bite mouthpiece? If not, I'll bring you one to lunch tomorrow. I like it way more than the Sea Cure. Everyone has their favorites, I know.

 

[Cacia]

I would like to see it.

people (like TonY!) are kinda blowing me off about this.

But...look at the size difference in the air inlet and think how it could affect flow. Mikey seemed very convinced that it is a big mistake to buy a nice reg and slap one of these one. (hey..I like the mouthpeice, but I plan to rip the yellow ring out)


poor image, sorry.

 

[do it easy]

I think that Mikey's perspective is that it would be like buy a high performance car and putting cheap tires and cheap gas in it. You may not win any races, but it will get you to the store and back.

The Comfo-bite is not as comfy as the Seacure, but it is not as massive and has the advantage that you can donate it more easily since it is not molded to your teeth.

 

[Cacia]

ooohhh. thanks. I thought the new SP mouthpeice felt very good.

I am having those put on both regs.

 

[grazie42]

If you think it doesen´t deliver enough air with your mouthpiece, then just "crank up the output" a bit and go dive...problem solved?

 

[Cacia]

yea, one would think.