Changing a HP hose and LP Hose.

[jsamsock]

I was wondering if any one could give me a run through about how to change both a HP and LP hose. Seems to be pretty simple, but just want to make sure I am not missing anything.
Thanks,
John

 

[fisherdvm]

Make sure that you have the right hose to the right port. HP port often has a stamp on it. Thread size does not always tell you the right place.

Older regs often have reducing adapter to the HP port to adapt a larger female fitting from the first stage to the smaller size of HP hose. If you see a longer than usual hex fitting on the hose end, it might be an adapter plus the hose. Use two wrenches to loosen up the adapter, so you can fit it on to the new HP hose. You can accidently put an LP hose on to the HP port of an old reg if you don't pay attention. That might blow the hose.

Check and make sure the O ring is still good. Grease it with lube if you like. Finger tight the hose to the first stage, and then add a slight 1 finger bump to the wrench, like about 1/10 of a turn, using 1 finger if you are a man, and 2 fingers if you are a sissy.

You might want to change hose only one at a time, so you have the regs in the configuration you are familiar with.

Don't pressure test the reg until all connection are secure. Otherwise, you'll blow an O ring if the hose is not seated tight.

 

[fisherdvm]

Since diving gears are life support equipment, it is best to have it done at a PADI facility. Only PADI facilities can guarantee that the hoses are connected in the right way, so you can dive safely. I always have my snorkels serviced yearly before I dive.

 

[mselenaous]

Changing hoses on a reg is easy if you have a "scuba tool" (one with the scuba most commonly used sizes of wrenches, allen wrenches, oring picks, etc). Scuba tool is like AMEX - never leave home without one.

Since diving gears are life support equipment, it is best to have it done at a PADI facility. Only PADI facilities can guarantee that the hoses are connected in the right way, so you can dive safely. I always have my snorkels serviced yearly before I dive.

I agree with dive gear is life support equipment, but would substitute PADI facility for "manufacturer authorized service facility". Irregardless of their training agency affilation, (there are also Naui, SSI, & other training agency facilities that service gear), you really want your gear checked by an authorized service facility for the brand of your gear. Check the gear brands' website or call their customer service number to find the one nearest you. Those facilities have sent their technicians to training classes on that specific gear and can do warranty work, probably have all the parts needed in stock or can get them quickly.

Just my $0.02

 

[Laustimus]

I'd have your sarcasm meter serviced

 

[driftwood]

Since diving gears are life support equipment, it is best to have it done at a PADI facility. Only PADI facilities can guarantee that the hoses are connected in the right way, so you can dive safely. I always have my snorkels serviced yearly before I dive.

Good, OMG save from your first post. Got to be careful speaking the truth! BTW, you are right.

 

[peterbj7]

I "thanked" Elena for the second part of her post, but I disagree with the first. IMO scuba tools are never the right size or the right fit and always cause damage. I use a couple of cheap wrenches, a special tool if it's needed (Scubapro LP hoses have a non-standard "nut" at the 2nd stage end), and a bicycle multi-hexkey tool. Everything fits properly, no corners get rounded off.

No-one's mentioned the insert at the SPG end of the HP hose. It's very important that you don't lose this, and almost as important that you replace both tiny O-rings every time you change a (HP) hose. Clean away all old grease and use a small amount of silicone grease on both ends of the insert. You can use silicon grease even if the reg will be used with nitrox, or even with pure oxygen (though be careful to use the right lubricant where there are greater volumes of gas passing). Do NOT install the insert without grease as the O-rings will fail very quickly, whenever the console is turned on the hose.

How long do people get out of hoses? IMO they now last a very short time - I just had to replace a customer's 2nd stage hose on an almost new regulator that had only done 30 dives - there were pin-prick holes apppearing at intervals down the hose. I have regs that I've owned (and used) for over 20 years which still have the original hoses.

I presume the comment about having a snorkel serviced annually was a joke? As to a lesser extent was the statement that only a PADI facility actually knows what it is doing?

 

[jasonchen]

Make sure that you have the right hose to the right port. HP port often has a stamp on it. Thread size does not always tell you the right place.

 

[fisherdvm]

(there are also Naui, SSI, & other training agency facilities that service gear

Who is Naui, and SSI? Are they trustworthy agencies?

 

[herman]

I "thanked" Elena for the second part of her post, but I disagree with the first. IMO scuba tools are never the right size or the right fit and always cause damage. I use a couple of cheap wrenches, a special tool if it's needed (Scubapro LP hoses have a non-standard "nut" at the 2nd stage end), and a bicycle multi-hexkey tool. Everything fits properly, no corners get rounded off.

No-one's mentioned the insert at the SPG end of the HP hose. It's very important that you don't lose this, and almost as important that you replace both tiny O-rings every time you change a (HP) hose. Clean away all old grease and use a small amount of silicone grease on both ends of the insert. You can use silicon grease even if the reg will be used with nitrox, or even with pure oxygen (though be careful to use the right lubricant where there are greater volumes of gas passing). Do NOT install the insert without grease as the O-rings will fail very quickly, whenever the console is turned on the hose.

How long do people get out of hoses? IMO they now last a very short time - I just had to replace a customer's 2nd stage hose on an almost new regulator that had only done 30 dives - there were pin-prick holes apppearing at intervals down the hose. I have regs that I've owned (and used) for over 20 years which still have the original hoses.

I presume the comment about having a snorkel serviced annually was a joke? As to a lesser extent was the statement that only a PADI facility actually knows what it is doing?

I totally agree with you about the scuba tool, fine for a last resort but not something I would recommend for normal repair work.

On the hose, were those holes all over the hose and was it leaking? If they were all up and down the hose, those small holes are supposed to be on the hose and have been on hoses years, esp on HP hoses. They are a safety feature than allows any air that escapes from the inner layers of the hose to escape from the hose rather than over pressurizing the outer covering and causing a rather exciting hose explosion. They are on most hoses although many are really small and go unnoticed. It's not too uncommon to see a HP hose bubbling like an air stone in an aquarium, the holes are doing their intended purpose.