breathing effort difference between 2 first stages...help

[LeadTurn_SD]

I'm reading on other forums that the HOG second is a Balanced 2nd stage. Phill Ellis, Joel from Tech Diving Limited and others are stating that the 2nd stage is in fact an pneumatic balanced 2nd with venturi and breathing adjustment knob!

I tried the same setup with my old Mares Mr12 and it breathed as good as the Viper too!

Jeremy

I'll be interested to hear what the final "diagnosis" is. You've isolated the problem to "something wrong" with the Oceanic PX3, since the HOG 2nd performs well on two other 1st stages.

The MR-12 also has a DFC port.... and although I do believe the DFC ports can improve airflow, my expereince with my own Mares regs is that any difference between the DFC and non-DFC ports is so small that most folks can't detect the difference. Maybe at depth and high work-load.... but probably not sitting in a garage.

The Oceanic reg has something wrong. I agree with others that either IP set too low, or an airflow obstruction exists (clogged filter?), or some other problem.

Best wishes.

 

[halocline]

I'm surprised that HOG's own website does not described a balanced 2nd stage as such. That's a pretty big oversight, unless I missed something obvious on the page.

 

[cerich]

Funny about the air balanced spec on the HOG reg. Some sites say air balanced while others don't. Maybe Chris will chime in and let us know.

As far as 2nd stages go, it funny that MY (read, I have owned at some point in time) favorate and best breathing regs have been:
1. Mares Abyss
2. Apeks AT50
3. Dacor Viper
4. Scubapro G250 / Balanced Adjustable's
5. HOG

It's funny, I think the Abyss is NOT air balanced but was my best breather ever. Also that the Viper is inexpensive and not air balanced and it's been a great breather as long as it's adjusted right.

Maybe the 2nd needs to be adjusted using the same like the Viper. I remove the LP hose, press the purge, insert a hex wrench and move about an quarter counter clockwise to make breathing easier, then test. If it free flows, I make a very minor adjustment to the right until it doesn't free flow anymore.

Jeremy

If Chris had seen or known about this I would have earlier.

Teh HOG is balanced.

You live 20 mins away from where I do, less than a hour from where I work. I will be happy to help you out, not only am I the EDGE guy but I have taught the service clinic for the other regs you mention/have (Viper First stage should be d12 or d16 and the PX3 from Oceanic)

 

[cerich]

I'm surprised that HOG's own website does not described a balanced 2nd stage as such. That's a pretty big oversight, unless I missed something obvious on the page.

no dude, you didn't miss anything, I did.

fixed now.

 

[cerich]

If we're going to start a friendly wager, my bet is on IP and the HOG is unbalanced.

I'll take that bet.

How much?

 

[redacted]

I'll take that bet.

How much?

I think you might have an inside track.

Chris Did I see something about Hog changing the LP seat they were using in the 2nd stage? I thought I saw something about changing out the "blue" seat. Can you tell me anything about that, in a PM perhaps?

 

[Couv]

yeah....I'll take a piece of that action too. ...just the balanced/non balanced second stage part as we still don't know the IP of the discrepant first stage.

Seriously, Cerich, I hope the OP takes you up on your offer. I (we probably all are) am interested to hear the diagnosis.

Couv

 

[cerich]

I think you might have an inside track.

Chris Did I see something about Hog changing the LP seat they were using in the 2nd stage? I thought I saw something about changing out the "blue" seat. Can you tell me anything about that, in a PM perhaps?

The Blue second stage seat used in the first two "runs" was quite soft, it worked fine but because I wanted (and have) a metal orifice I felt it would not be as durable as a harder seat. So I tested a harder seat. It works and I have switched to it. No big deal.

 

[cerich]

yeah....I'll take a piece of that action too. ...just the balanced/non balanced second stage part as we still don't know the IP of the discrepant first stage.

Seriously, Cerich, I hope the OP takes you up on your offer. I (we probably all are) am interested to hear the diagnosis.

Couv

me too. The IP on the D12 is more consistent than the IP on the PX3, "but" the PX3 has great flow, with a balanced second it shouldn't be a issue. They are both good first stages.

I used and still have loaned out PX3's with GT3's as my personal tech regs when I was a Oceanic Rep., so I like them and have confidence in them.

 

[halocline]

Maybe there's something wrong with the oceanic 1st stage then, like a clogged filter. Who knows.