Do you get your equipment serviced....

[Boogie711]

I left my regs in to be serviced last weekend. Didn't have the BC serviced, I ask as well, does everyone do this? As far as I can tell, mine's in perfect condition, is 2 years old and well looked after.

I bought my tank last year, haven't used it yet, it's completely empty - do you recommend a VIP before I dive with it?

If you bought it last year and it's sat empty, it's not a bad idea to VIP it for two reasons.

A) Just for peace of mind. You don't want stuff to have gotten in there while you weren't paying attention (water vapour, rust, spiders, small kittens, etc.)

B) Your VIP sticker may expire mid-season, which is a pain in the butt. Get it done now.

 

[H2Andy]

question:

does the corrosion issue apply to a NEW empty tank?

at any rate, annie... you shouldn't store a tank empty. the sages reccomend that you leave a few 100 psi in there to keep rust out.

 

[metaldector]

I do only regs and tanks. The BC doesn't require any service unless the oral inflator is causing problems or a leak is detected. I visually check everything prior to packing for a dive and again at the dive site. Since I dive almost every weekend year round my gear is never sitting very long. In winter the dives are all fresh water springs, so salt isn't a consideration. Summer is ocean diving with fresh water rinse. I personally clean the second stage once a month but let the shop service the 1st and 2nd in December when I have no time to dive.

 

[simbrooks]

What is considered the season??? Some have mentioned that prices increase during the season, so what is that time of year? Here people seem to dive all year round, dont think the prices i have seen in my LDS's change through the year, however time taken to get them through a service might increase around the spring prior to the summer of diving, or of course in the fall, prior to the winter season (missing the summer part due to extreme heat and humidity - still pondering whether to dive then myself).

 

[Lead_carrier]

Our shop charges the same anytime,$20 per stage, regardless of season. The only time the price varies is when you bring it in and tell me that you are on your way to the airport and you expect me to service it before takeoff, then we will put a rush fee on you. Unless you're willing to pay for my plane ticket to deiliver it to you. In which case I'll probably do the service for free.

 

[simbrooks]

Our shop charges the same anytime,$20 per stage, regardless of season. The only time the price varies is when you bring it in and tell me that you are on your way to the airport and you expect me to service it before takeoff, then we will put a rush fee on you. Unless you're willing to pay for my plane ticket to deiliver it to you. In which case I'll probably do the service for free.

I would also be happy to be a "caddy"/courier of sorts for a plane ticket to a nice place to dive.

 

[ElectricZombie]

I service most of my regs every year. I have a few that I never seem to use and they don't get serviced.

I'm probably going to stop servicing them every year because when I take them apart, they always look spotless and the o-rings look/feel fine. I take extremely good care of my regs, so this probably would not be a good idea for someone else who does not take good care of their gear.

 

[Cudabait]

Annie,

I doubt you'll be able to get a LDS to fill the tank W/O a current VIP.

Regards,

 

[dc4bs]

Just curious - I've never heard of annual service for BC's. What do they do? My first BC lasted around 13 years and never had anything done to it other than a good washing after each dive. My wife's lasted longer without any servicing either.

Depends on the BC and the manufacturers reccomendations...

The spring that holds the air dump valve closed could get rusted or weaken for some reason so it may need replacement once every several years is one example I can think of.

With a well maintained BC, this "shouldn't" be an issue, but then again...
If the spring IS shot, it could ,in theory, fail mid-dive and then your BC would not hold air.

OR it could simply not hold the valve closed as tightly. Then your BC would work just fine as long as you didn't put too much air in it... EG: the bladder is rated to 35 Lbs of lift but since it won't hold as much pressure, it may only lift 25-30 Lbs before beginning to vent air.

The inflator hose and valves and the bladder itself are also gone over (for wear and tear etc and any lifeforms inside, etc...) as well as the outer shell for holes, tears, etc...

Like I said, alot depends on the type and make of BC.

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And now, just because I can, I'll type it one more time: "etc..."

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Having said all that, I've never had anyone other than me tear apart my BCs and clean/reasemble them yet and they seem to be in perfect working order...

The only thing I'd be curious to find out is what the 'correct' pressure before venting on each one is and how close to that pressure my BCs really hold nowadays.

 

[pasley]

question:

does the corrosion issue apply to a NEW empty tank

Yes it does. But when you purchased the tank they should have done a VIP. I have read here and other places about brand new tanks with some "flash" rust in them. New tanks does not necessiarly mean mfg yesterday, could have been in wharehouse or shipping for a while and do they ship them empty or with pressure? No expert, but for a few bucks, better safe than sorry.

As for the BC, it seems simple enough, but hey, why not get it gone over professionaly too. It is cheap insurance and maybe, just maybe you will catch a problem before you find it at 100 FSW.