Confused about my integrated AirSource

[KnotKrazy]

As a new diver, I am still learning some very basic stuff and wanted to ask if someone on the SB might give me a heads up about my integrated "octo".

I just recently purchased a new regulator (my first) to go with the Seaquest Balance BC with the AirSource I purchased 6 months ago.

The Seaquest owner's manual says "To acheive optimal performance, the AirSource should be adjusted to correspond with its respective first stage. This is due to the varying intermediate supply pressures of different first stages".

So this is what's confusing me.

I have asked guys at two different dive shops about this comment in the owner's manual and they tell me they have never heard of doing such a thing. They tell me you just hook up the Air Source to any first stage and you're ready to go?

Is it not necessary to tune the Air Source? Or is it just a plug and play system?

KK

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

There was definately some slight tuning that my local dive shop gladly helped me out with after I had purchased my regulators. What the actual work entailed, I couldn't tell you...

 

[mtnredhed]

Maybe yes and maybe no...

Lets say the AirSource has been adjusted at the factory based on an intermediate pressure of 135 psi (fairly common). Now you're probably good for +-10 psi. Higher pressures may cause the second stage to freeflow, and lower pressures will make it breath harder.

There are some regs out there that use higher IP's (in the 150-160 range) to improve second stage performance, but it's not a good design technique, and tends to be hard on valve seats.

I think before I'd "plug and go", I'd call the manufacturers' tech lines and ask the specs on my first stage, and the design input pressure for the AirSource. In all likelyhood you shouldn't have a problem, which is why you got the answers you got.

 

[Lead_carrier]

If you got a SeaQuest, AquaLung, or ScubaPro reg then everything should be just fine. Off the top of my head I can't think of any of them that shouldn't be adjusted to an intermediate pressure 135 psi.

 

[KnotKrazy]

Thanks for the info. It gives me something to go on now.

 

[Turtle Diver]

I used a Seaquest Balance with an Airsource and an Aqualung Titan LX for several years. It was never "adjusted" that I know of, and it worked fine.

 

[KnotKrazy]

I used a Seaquest Balance with an Airsource and an Aqualung Titan LX for several years. It was never "adjusted" that I know of, and it worked fine.

I suspect that the note in the Owners manual is more of a CYA statement for Seaquest...