Corrosion problem?

[MGW1979]

I'm leaving to Cozumel on Friday and was going over my gear to make sure everything was ok. I noticed a few small spots of green on the sintered screen of my reg (Zeagle DS-V) which I foun to be alarming. I've never accidently dunked it with the dustcap off or anything so the only thing I can attribute it to is either a few drops of saltwater that was on the dustcap or something when it was put on. After my last trip about 11 months ago I wiped it down with a cloth with a little bit of alcohol then put the dust cap on and put it away. I suppose the air humidity trapped inside might have also caused it as well.

I'm wondering if I should definately take it in to get it inspected or if it is superficial enough to deal with when I get back. Out of an abundence of caution I'll likely take it in but maybe not if it is not worthwhile...

Any help is appreciated.

 

[mts0628]

I'm leaving to Cozumel on Friday and was going over my gear to make sure everything was ok. I noticed a few small spots of green on the sintered screen of my reg (Zeagle DS-V) which I foun to be alarming. I've never accidently dunked it with the dustcap off or anything so the only thing I can attribute it to is either a few drops of saltwater that was on the dustcap or something when it was put on. After my last trip about 11 months ago I wiped it down with a cloth with a little bit of alcohol then put the dust cap on and put it away. I suppose the air humidity trapped inside might have also caused it as well.

I'm wondering if I should definately take it in to get it inspected or if it is superficial enough to deal with when I get back. Out of an abundence of caution I'll likely take it in but maybe not if it is not worthwhile...

Any help is appreciated.

Hey MGW1979:

Well, to put it simply, do you want to breathe those little green spots that are located on your sintered screen? Sure they may be small but remember there is a direct relationship between ambient pressure and partial pressure. I doubt it will be life threatening, but it surely can't be good for you. Consider this as well: you can see green on the outside; what can't you see on the inside?

Living and diving on the East Coast of the United States, I can tell you about humidity and salt water exposure. Properly rinsed and cared for gear after diving should not corrode metals, well too much to make you wonder. Occasionally you will notice a grayish coating on something, but it is easily removed with a soft cloth and some fresh water. Another suggestion is to remove the dust cap from your regulator, if you can, before diving and store it in your kit bag. Unless you plan on using it underwater for something? Also, an air/gas blower that attaches to your LP inflator hose may aide in removing some water, but some think that the airflow pushes water where it shoudn't be. Use it at your own risk.

And finally, since it's almost a year and you haven't used your regulator, and you see overt signs of corrosion, it would be wise to get it serviced before your trip. After all, your life will be depending on it. I hope this helps.

With kind regards from North Carolina,
Thomas

 

[cbmech2]

I second Tom's advice. It is obviously also bothering you, so I would take it in and get it serviced just for piece of mind. Someday I will make it out of the country to do some diving, but then again I am a regulator tech and wouldn't be in the same situation if my gear were to malfunction. I would take care of it myself. In your case, spending the money to go to Coz and then stressing over the thought of your regulator just isn't worth it.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

The small dots of green are not that uncommon. They are probably from a not-dry dust cap, or possibly from small water droplets accidently blown onto the filter if you blow-dry the dust cap like a lot of folks do after taking the 1st stage off a tank.

If you are talking just a few tiny dots, and not a green, fuzzy mess, probably no biggie. Test the reg as outlined in the stickie at the top of the Regulator section, and pull off the hoses and port plugs and look inside as much as possible. If it passes all of the tests, and everything you can see inside looks shiney and clean, I'd leave it until AFTER your trip. I'd be nervous taking a just-serviced reg on a big trip unless I had a chance to test-dive it 1st.

But do whatever makes you comfortable.

 

[redacted]

A few spots of verdigris on the filter is of relatively little concern. Going on a trip to Cozumel with a reg that has not been checked out in almost a year is of greater concern. And going on a trip with a freshly serviced, untested reg is more scary than both of the first 2 combined.

Check it out yourself, or have it inspected by your local shop if you can't or won't do it. If you really want to insure a problem free trip, take a backup reg with you. OTOH, I'm pretty sure your Coz dive op will be able to handle most problems that could occur with little to no loss of diving.

Enjoy.

 

[MGW1979]

Thanks all, I decided to just take it in to get it checked out. A shop in my area said they could do it in plenty of time. I'll make sure I test it out before getting in the water however!

 

[mts0628]

Thanks all, I decided to just take it in to get it checked out. A shop in my area said they could do it in plenty of time. I'll make sure I test it out before getting in the water however!

Hey MGW1979:

I think you made a wise choice but the other posters had valid points as well. Of course, hopefully you won't just tune up your gear; a year out of the scuba world would also warrant tuning your skills, that way you'll be fresher than fresh when you hit Cozumel.

BUT, I read your profile and saw you were a Lawyer, so now my advice is just use all as is! Just kidding, Lawyers have their special place in the world. I just don't know where.

Have fun on your trip and please be safe!

With kindes regards from North Carolina,
Thomas