Doing your own reg service

[Graeme Tolton]

I have no problem spending money at a LDS (just ask my wife!). However, sometimes I feel like I should have been kissed first. Such is life. I am not quite ready to set up my own compressor, so I take the good with the bad. My biggest reason for now taking care of my own regs is that I am using so many of them.... doubles and a stage or two, sums up to a lot of regs regularly being used.

 

[scc135]

where does one even get started with servicing your own regs?

 

[redacted]

A good start: SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR by Vance Harlow

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

where does one even get started with servicing your own regs?

As awap mentioned, start by reading. Vance Harlow's book is the place to start.

Then possibly some more regulator "theory" with Pete Wolfinger's book "Regulator Savvy":

Scuba Tools - Regulator Savvy Book

Then ask lots of questions (here and in the DIY forum). I've found the folks in these forums to be extremely generous with their knowledge and very willing to help.

You should have some basic mechanical skills, and will probably need to purchase a few tools.

My personal path to the "Dark Side" was to read a lot first, then I bought a couple older, well-used regulators on ebay to practice on, and I purchased gauges & tools as I needed them.

Best wishes.

 

[herman]

where does one even get started with servicing your own regs?

I agree with awap and Leadturn, buy both of the books, read and understand them and then grab an old reg to play with. Another good place to learn is to down load the service manuals off the web and study them. Scubapro MK-2 or 5, any Sherwood (except the SR-1) or any USD/Aqualung (except the Calypsos) are great regs to start with. They are fairly inexpensive used, are easy to understand, you can get parts for them (although it can be difficult at times) and once you have it rebuilt you have a solid reg to use. There are a few special tools that make life easier but most can be home made or purchased fairly inexpensively.

 

[Zung]

Or read through this thread.
It'll let you get a feel whether this is for you or not.

 

[Blastman4444]

MK2's and 190's are on ebay cheap I found several for $50 even with gauges, and octo's. Even if I have them serviced seems like these are good regs.

 

[Downing]

You should have some basic mechanical skills.../QUOTE]

This is where I always run into problems, lol.

As Dirty Harry once said, "A good man knows his limitations."

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

You should have some basic mechanical skills...

This is where I always run into problems, lol.

As Dirty Harry once said, "A good man knows his limitations."

Don't sell yourself short.

The actual mechanical skill needed to do a typical annual service? I've seen folks compare it to doing a brake job on your car, rebuilding a carb, fixing a small engine...

I'd say those folks are vastly over-qualified.

Think more along the lines of being able to read and understand your dive computer manual, combined with changing a lightbulb and fixing a leaky fawcet, then advancing to replacing the innards of a toilet tank and replacing a light switch, and your a bit closer... well the plumbing is actually harder and certainly more scary, so maybe stick with the lightbulb analogy....

Seriously, it is not that hard. The large scuba manufacturers just want you to think it is....

I waited over 30 years before I attempted servicing my own regs, and the experience, while highly satisfying and enjoyable, was very anticlimactic.... "That's It?!!?? I waited years, and That's It???"

Best wishes.

 

[Downing]

Thanks for the encouragement. I think I posted this info already in this thread but my T2's up for service this fall and my LDS offers a one on one course where you service it yourself while under the watchful eye and assistance of the tech guy.

I'm hoping for a similar "That's it?" experience.

I'm not that great with plumbing, but I can change a lightbulb with the best of them.