Busted diaphragm

[iztok]

On one of the dives my deco bottle regulator started to leak on the 1st stage. When I took it to service they said it was diaphragm that was an issue.

Not being familiar with interiors of regulators that much I wonder of possible scenarios of this happening.

 

[Akimbo]

Since we can't see, why not ask the person doing the diagnosis and repair? While you are at it, have him/her show you how the diaphragm operates the demand lever in the second stage.

 

[iztok]

It was 1st stage that busted.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

On one of the dives my deco bottle regulator started to leak on the 1st stage. When I took it to service they said it was diaphragm that was an issue.

Not being familiar with interiors of regulators that much I wonder of possible scenarios of this happening.

1st stage diaphragms are pretty "tough", so I'd be surprised if it was a tear; more likely is that the diaphragm un-seated, due to being worn, or improperly installed at the last service.

If a diaphragm is reused (I just change them when I service my diaphragm 1sts), it must be checked carefully, and one manufacturer (Zeagle) says never to re-use a diaphragm, no matter how good it looks, because it will not take a reliable "set" the 2nd time it is used.

See if you can get a better explanation from the tech.

Best wishes.

 

[Akimbo]

Since we can't see, why not ask the person doing the diagnosis and repair? While you are at it, have him/her show you how the diaphragm operates the demand lever in the second stage.

Oops, wrong stage, same advice except for the demand lever part. This stuff isn’t magic and is something every diver should know.

 

[iztok]

1st stage diaphragms are pretty "tough", so I'd be surprised if it was a tear; more likely is that the diaphragm un-seated, due to being worn, or improperly installed at the last service.

If a diaphragm is reused (I just change them when I service my diaphragm 1sts), it must be checked carefully, and one manufacturer (Zeagle) says never to re-use a diaphragm, no matter how good it looks, because it will not take a reliable "set" the 2nd time it is used.

See if you can get a better explanation from the tech.

Best wishes.

It was new HOG reg. diaphragm was changed and I couldn't see obvious hole in the diaphragm shown. That was the explanation I got. Hence asking.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

It was new HOG reg. diaphragm was changed and I couldn't see obvious hole in the diaphragm shown. That was the explanation I got. Hence asking.

Did the repair tech specify whether the leak was an issue with the hydrostatic diaphragm (on the exterior; rubber piece in red) or inner diaphragm (sandwiched between the valve lifter and spring carrier)? I'm assuming that you own the D1 first stage rated for cold water use.

Probably the most helpful thing would have been to see, with your own eyes, where the leak was originating. Could you see where the bubbles were coming from?

How long did you own the first stage? How many dives did you put on it? Just curious whether this might be a normal maintenance issue or a defect in the part. Fortunately, the first stage overhaul kit is reasonably priced and can be ordered over the internet...with the blessing of the manufacturer.

 

[iztok]

LDS changed the part at no charge. Good customer service.

HOG D1 Cold was about half a year old and probably had less than twenty dives on it since it was my pony bottle one.

Leak was coming from the middle of the body. If you look at the cylinder there are a few "grooves" around about 2/3rds towards the "red" top. It was inner diaphragm as the exterior "red" one didn't get replaced. It (red one on top) did balloon a bit once when I turned it on on the boat after I noticed bubbling underwater.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

It was new HOG reg. diaphragm was changed and I couldn't see obvious hole in the diaphragm shown. That was the explanation I got. Hence asking.

Was this the first-ever dive on the regulator?

And improperly tightened diaphragm retainer, defective diaphragm, or an improperly installed diaphragm could be the culprit. 1st stage diaphragms can shift or "cold flow" upon tightening; or it may not have been seated 100% when assembled, and a false torque reading was obtained when the retainer was tightened, and the diaphragm subsequently became unseated during use...

If the diaphragm the tech showed you did not have any visible damage (no holes or tears of any kind), it was probably a "seating" problem, either due to diaphragm "defect" or tech error when it was assembled. I'm not sure how common a defect in the diaphragm is, but tech error is common..... maybe during assembly at the factory?

I'm just speculating, and I'm not sure what else to tell you without seeing the diaphragm or 1st stage.

If it is working now, all is good.

Good Luck and Best Wishes.

 

[iztok]

Thanks everyone!

It wasn't first use of the reg it was working before.

I didn't have a chance to try it yet but I did check the schematics of balanced diaphragm and at least learned a bit on internals