"disposable regulators" vs servicing?
- Thread starter DrWilliam
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Get a pressure gauge that you can plug into your inflator hose like this one. When pressurized, purge the reg and watch the pressure. It’ll drop when you purge then it should hit around 140psi (or whatever your manufacturer specs in range) and stay there. Creeping is just that, you’ll see it slowly rise up to a higher pressure say 160 psi. If you see that it’s time to get serviced.
thbcthomas
Contributor
Write him a direct message and ask about his 2024 schedule. I believe that he does two or three a year. usually over a weekend . . .
Don't buy inferior regulators and buy yourself a new unknown every 3-4 years.
So, you paid $75 a stage to service 6 regulators. How often do you do this? I am guessing you are doing it too often. Every 3-4 years may be more than enough if you are doing 80 dives a year.
Buy yourself a $12 IP gauge to evaluate the 1st stages on a regular basis, and then mark the calendar for 3 years out. If the IP shows problems of drift or creep, do the service sooner.
Is that really such a cost burden? At a 3-year interval that is $25/year/reg.
Self-Service is only the answer if you enjoy doing that sort of thing.
And read this:
scubaboard.com
So, you paid $75 a stage to service 6 regulators. How often do you do this? I am guessing you are doing it too often. Every 3-4 years may be more than enough if you are doing 80 dives a year.
Buy yourself a $12 IP gauge to evaluate the 1st stages on a regular basis, and then mark the calendar for 3 years out. If the IP shows problems of drift or creep, do the service sooner.
Is that really such a cost burden? At a 3-year interval that is $25/year/reg.
Self-Service is only the answer if you enjoy doing that sort of thing.
And read this:
Regulator Inspection and Checklist (Rev-8)
Discussion of this thread can be found here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html First off, I would like to acknowledge my friends who have done more than their share in developing this checklist. Due to my laziness and resistance to answering...
Also read over this thread:
scubaboard.com
The short version is with a little care and monitoring, you can safely extend the service intervals. Possibly for many years.
Your opinion regarding regulator service intervals
Let's assume you're starting with a properly tuned and functioning first and second stage regulators. The manufacturer suggests servicing every two or three years or after so many dives (let's say 100) whichever comes first. Do you typically adhere to that policy or do you service "as needed"? I...
The short version is with a little care and monitoring, you can safely extend the service intervals. Possibly for many years.
Cthippo
Contributor
You can get Palantec reg sets on Amazon with a first and two second stages for $160. IMHO they are great regs, breathe fine and you can either treat them as disposable or order service kits, also on Amazon. I have used a number of different regs and I can't tell a difference in how they breathe.
Don't buy inferior regulators and buy yourself a new unknown every 3-4 years.
So, you paid $75 a stage to service 6 regulators. How often do you do this? I am guessing you are doing it too often. Every 3-4 years may be more than enough if you are doing 80 dives a year.
Buy yourself a $12 IP gauge to evaluate the 1st stages on a regular basis, and then mark the calendar for 3 years out. If the IP shows problems of drift or creep, do the service sooner.
Is that really such a cost burden? At a 3-year interval that is $25/year/reg.
Self-Service is only the answer if you enjoy doing that sort of thing.
And read this:
Regulator Inspection and Checklist (Rev-8)
Discussion of this thread can be found here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html First off, I would like to acknowledge my friends who have done more than their share in developing this checklist. Due to my laziness and resistance to answering...
No, I was paying about ~$200-$250 per reg every 3 years. My question was that for about that much I could by a reg, 2 second stages, plus a whole hose kit for ~$500 and sell the old reg kit for ~$250. So buy for $500, 3 years later buy new for $500 and sell used for $250, thus breaking even and always having new.
So to service a single tank setup you’re paying 750? For 1 first stage and 2 second stages?
It was the outrageous price that I was quoted to get two Atomic regs serviced here in Australia that triggered me to buy a couple of special tools and OEM service kits and service them myself!
Never looked back... even with the cost of buying the tools I was still in front!
However be warned it rapidly becomes an addictive hobby and the number of beautifully restored reg sets will grow exponentially
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