Cleaning SPG's for 02

[lenbro]

I have previously lubed my SPG spools with regular silicone lube. The gauges are brass and glass. Now, I would like to have them o2 clean. Is this possible - or do I need to buy new ones? If they can be cleaned, I will go with viton o-rings and 02 safe lube after cleaning. At the moment, I only plan to do rec. nitrox (up to 40%). Thanks for any information offered.

 

[Dave1981]

The standard is to require O2 clean equipment only if you're using above 40% O2. For rec nitrox you don't need to O2 clean your gear.

A large part of the gas blender course deals with O2 service and O2 cleaning so could be worth doing if it's a subject you're interested in.

 

[SDAnderson]

What Dave said. If it won't be exposed to greater than EAN40, you don't have much to worry about. For future reference, take a cotton swab and gently wipe any accumulated lube/crud from the spg inlet. You want to be very careful not to push the crud up into the innards of the spg where it can impair the function of the bourdon tube. Replace (or service) the HP spindle, wash, rinse and dry the hose (blow the hose out before you reconnect it to the spg) and reassemble. You'll know if you did a good enough job the first time you slam it with 100%.

 

[coldsmoke]

By the time you are breathing mixes higher than 40% it's likely that a new spg will be a relatively insignificant expense. You will need a new (or another) one for your deco bottle anyway, which would be the only thing that would exceed 40% O2.

I would use a new spg and make sure it came free of lube or that an oxygen safe lube was used. You can't really clean them so it's best to just start free of the bad stuff.

Hunter

 

[lenbro]

I will clean and use 02 safe lubes and o-rings on my existing gauge, spindle and hose for use with EAN. I'll by a new gauge if I go tech. for use with higher 02 mix set ups. Thanks for the reassurance that I am on the right track. I'm a better safe than sorry type.