do it yourself regulator maintenance

[TwoBitTxn]

I asked a similar question earlier, but I see alot of people posting about working on their own regs. I know there is an equipment specialty offered through the PADI system. Has any one here taken that course and is it worth it? I would love to take the class so I can comfortably work on my own stuff and possibly learn to do the annual maintenance work. I'm sure many of the regs have quirks about them that you would have to learn but I would figure that many of them are similar in ways that one could learn on one or two types and be able to work on many.

Tom

 

[buff]

I was wondering this same thing. I can't see that a regulator is that much work to doing regular maintenance-change O rings. But how would you check the first stage pressure?? or clean salt build up off(don't you need a ultasonic bath??)

 

[100days-a-year]

I hold numerous equipment certs,but my stuff is mostly Scuba-Pro and thier warranty covers parts during an annual if a S-P certified tech does the work.Therefore my LDS gets to do all that stuff,I just do check-ups on it.The total outlay for tools can exceed$500 including the afforementioned ultrasonic cleaner.Christo-lube & viton o-rings ain't cheap either.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

What do the equipment classes teach you and are they worth the $$ that you pay for them.

5 franklins for equip..... I'll pass

$135 to service two sets and one computer a year... I guess that isn't so bad.

Thanks

Tom

 

[Ladydiver]

Hi Folks,

You might find this link useful

Repair 101

Cheers,

 

[Crystal]

I thought this might be helpful too.

http://www.airspeedpress.com

I am currently reading the regulator maintenance book.
I asked some opinions on this board before purchasing it, and all of them were pretty good.
I have only read the first two chapters, but have to say:
pretty good.

Crystal

 

[100days-a-year]

TomV,the classes I took(o2 cleaner,nitrox blender,trimix blender,and equip tech)were to ensure that I was responsible for the performance of all my gear at depths past 250'.The classes included dis-assembly,cleaning ,setting intermediate pressures,re-assembly for oxygen compatible equipment.Mostly I took the classes so I could dive deep without having to rely on an LDS employee as what stood between me and my creator.

 

[kcbdiver]

The basic equipment specialist class from PADI involves every piece of equipment used during diving. It basically teaches preventative maintenance rather than the actual repair process (ultrasonic cleaning, changing parts, etc.) The course will definately lengthen the life of your gear.

As for the do-it-yourself repair person. A basic repair barring any problems involves setting intermediate pressure in the first stage and a flowbench can cost upwards of $3800. An ultrasonic cleaner is about $675, plus you would have to purchase the special tools required to take the regulator apart, the repair kits themselves, and would have to be trained by the manufacturer. Repairing a regulator is a very involved, intensive task. To save $50 a year, is it really worth fixing yourself?

 

[turnerjd]

Ultrasonic cleaning Vs Vinegar

Totally off the point I know, but, whilst ultrasonic baths clean things relatively quickly, if you have the time, a week solution of vinegar (ie the acetic acid you put on your food) cleans bits of diving gear wonderfully. In many ways it is more effective than ultrasound, but it is a lot slower (usually an overnight soak is necessary).

Jon T

 

[rcontrera]

I don't think DIY regulator work is just being cheap. It is something more and more individuals are interested in because there seems to be a lack of interest on the part of many dive shops. There are increasingly more horror stories about taking an almost new regulator into a shop for it's required annual only to get it back scarred up or not working properly.

Just my $.02

Ray