Caring for first stages with DIN connection

[InTheDrink]

Hi,

What's the best way to care for DIN regs after diving. With my previous env. sealed AL Int. A clamp regs I'd leave them soak for a few hours in soapy water before rinsing and hanging to dry.

Is this approach ok with DIN regs?

Thanks,
John

 

[RJP]

As long as you have the type of DIN caps that actually seal against the O-Ring - and screw them down tight - there's no problem soaking them. (Or at least I should say that I haven't had problem with four regs over 4-5 years.)

 

[spectrum]

Hi,

What's the best way to care for DIN regs after diving. With my previous env. sealed AL Int. A clamp regs I'd leave them soak for a few hours in soapy water before rinsing and hanging to dry.

Is this approach ok with DIN regs?

Thanks,
John

Nothing can trump positive pressure to keep water in it's place. I always connect my rigs and soak them under pressure. I use either pail with the cylinder standing at the side then hose rinse the 1st, cylinder and hoses or sink the whole system in a barrel. This any connector format.

Remember that the regulator & din threads are exposed to salt water and can crust up over time. When you notice that get on them with a toothbrush and a cleaning agent to get them back to chrome. Do the valve and cylinder ports. Be sure to blow the valve dry when done.

Take extra care to keep sand and grit away from the DIN threads.

Pete

 

[InTheDrink]

Thanks RJP & Spectrum,

I'm VERY glad I asked the question now as I've been soaking them with only dust cap on for the last month which I don't think is water tight. They certainly don't screw. Hmmm. Will get some screw caps and wash them pressurised for the time being.

Thanks guys,
J

 

[InTheDrink]

Ah, one thing I should ask - given I've been soaking them essentially unprotected, is there anything I need to do now to check no damage done? Definitely no sand or anything has got in there but they've had probably 6 or 7 24hr soaks.

Thx,
J

 

[RJP]

Blow air through 'em from a tank, and see if it comes out wet. Assuming it's been fresh water you're probably OK, though soap wouldn't be great.

 

[Hatul]

I bought a couple of screw-in caps and keep them on land when I dive so they're always dry.

At times I dump the whole scuba unit pressurized into my Rubbermaid tank and soak.

If not, rinse the Din to tank valve interface with fresh water, remove the reg, dry with a cloth and put the screw-on cap on the reg. The users' guide on my Atomic reg advises not to soak because of the seat saver- a good rinse is sufficient.

It's also important I think to soak the steel tanks and let them dry especially around the boot.

One more thing, before connecting the reg to tank it's a good idea to bleed some air from tank as sometimes the first bit of air has water trapped in the valve.

Adam

 

[Hatul]

Blow air through 'em from a tank, and see if it comes out wet. Assuming it's been fresh water you're probably OK, though soap wouldn't be great.

Here's the advice I was given. A little fresh water inside the reg is no big deal, just flush with tank air to blow it out.

Others have recommended removing the SPG before blowing air to keep water from the bourbon tube in the SPG. Remove the SPG hose, plug the high pressure port and blow the air through the reg by pressing on the purge.

If salt water gets into the reg you need to have it overhauled and cleaned.

Adam

 

[InTheDrink]

Blow air through 'em from a tank, and see if it comes out wet.

Hey RJP - I blew out the first stage. Erm, quite a lot of ater vapour, maybe 2 seconds worth came out from each. Rather more than I was expecting. Anyhow, all dry now. I'm going to get these Apeks Din Dust Cap | Regulators,Accessories | Simply Scuba UK

Assuming it's been fresh water you're probably OK, though soap wouldn't be great.

Well I'd joke about the fact that I used L'Oreal shampoo (cos I'm worth it) rather than soap but the fact the one of the reg hoses was pressurised (a bit) when I unscrewed it from the first stage (and nowhere near the tank) does make me wonder as I've never seen this behaviour before) whether I need to have them looked at. I'm pretty confident that no salt water has got near them but wondering what the gunk in shampoo might do/have done. Probably worrying about nothing but guess better to do the worrying this side of the water.

J