Question First Regulator Question

[davehicks]

I appreciate everyone’s input and I’m grateful for how helpful this board is.

To give some more details, yes I got a fantastic deal online on a 2 new Scubapro regs, second stage and octos for myself and fiancée. I brought those unassembled parts to my LDS, then purchased 2 Shearwater Swift transmitters ($400/ea) and 2 LPI hoses for the BCD connection from them. They charge a $75 fee each for service which includes a bench test. I’m not sure of the value of the included services and most don’t apply since my stuff is brand new, but their bench test does sound pretty comprehensive - I’ve pasted it below.

I felt it was a little expensive after seeing some of the comments here and thought the best approach might be to assemble it myself and just pay for the $25 bench test. However, I don’t have a BCD or air tank and I called them today and within that $75 fee they offered to allow me to come in and use one of their BCD’s and tank to test out the regulator in the pool. So I thought that seemed fair and I’m now comfortable with the deal. I do have all the necessary tools and plan to take the courses on how to maintain my equipment in the future.

Service includes:

• Pre-testing to identify any unforeseen issues prior to service
• Disassembly and reassembly with new service kits to manufacturers’ specifications
• Hydrostatic cleaning of all regulators
• Fine-tuning with our magnehelic testing equipment
• Replacement of all worn parts
• 100% final testing of all serviced and repaired equipment by a technician different from the staff member who serviced your equipment
• “Diving” your dive computer in our new pressure pot to test accuracy and seal
• New hose protectors
• Free BC leak test

That's all pretty good for $75 (per reg set?). Since you are just getting started, you should probably go for it. Ask to watch and learn what they are doing if you can. I am sure they are not going to disassemble your regulators for that price, nor should you want them to. It is fair odds they will make them worse rather than better if they do. But checking for free flows and a little tuning might be in order.

However, you don't need most of that going forward. After you get a little experience under your belt considering picking up a used & recently hydro'ed 19cf pony bottle to keep around the house for bench testing your gear. Buy a $15 IP Guage. Read and understand the Regulator Inspection Checklist.

Thread 'Regulator Inspection and Checklist (Rev-8)'

Aug 6, 2010

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Discussion of this thread can be found here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html

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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 the same questions time and time again, I created the first checklist. But the Usual Suspects (Awap, @Luis H, @herman, and @halocline) and a gaggle of others I stole ideas from deserve most of the credit.

Those of you who are already familiar with this checklist will...

• Couv
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Regulators

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This will help you understand how your gear works, and when you should bring it for service. No, you don't need to service the regulators every year if you monitor them.

 

[ImpotentSeaSnake]

I’m sure they didn’t completely service the regulators for $75. The kits alone would be double that.

Correct that list is just for labor, not parts.

 

[ImpotentSeaSnake]

I want access to your LDS. That is an amazing deal.

Service and Repairs

www.denverdivers.com

 

[lexvil]

Service and Repairs

www.denverdivers.com

To bad you are so far away, I would do for 1/2 of that and guilt would make me give your $ back, especially if you had just dropped $800.

 

[Umuntu]

This sounds like complete service not just assembly. You got an awesome deal here.

Most of which is not needed.

I’m not sure I would want the shop to find an excuse to open up a new regulator.

 

[BoltSnap]

Most of which is not needed.

I’m not sure I would want the shop to find an excuse to open up a new regulator.

I got the impression that he bought some of it used but the op can clarify.

 

[inquis]

Service includes:

The list posted above is not what is performed for the $75 assembly & bench testing fee. On their website, those bullets are introduced with the words, "The Denver Divers’ approach to service and repair includes:", so it's merely a list of general principles that might apply depending on what you have done.

The OP bought a $400 swift transmitter from this shop. Installation & hookup to a tank should be included. Taking an extra 60 seconds to connect the LP hoses gratis is an easy way for a business to establish a good rapport.

 

[ImpotentSeaSnake]

I got the impression that he bought some of it used but the op can clarify.

Yep, brand new gear.

 

[halocline]

Correct that list is just for labor, not parts.

They didn’t service brand new regulators, come on. That list you posted is for all the procedures that you do when rebuilding regulators, typically after a year or more of use. There is no way-none- that this shop or any other would completely service 2 regulator sets for $75 labor. That’s six stages, and a typical labor charge would be more like $50 per stage. It means completely taking each stage apart, replacing all the internal soft parts, cleaning, and reassembling. And there is no way any competent shop would completely service brand new regulators unless they really wanted to scam a customer.

So I imagine what they charged you the $75 for was attaching your transmitters and any hoses that needed to be attached (this is literally as easy as screwing in a light bulb) and pressurizing the regs to make sure there are no leaks, and checking to see if IP and cracking effort are within specs. 5 minutes would be a long time to do this for each regulator set. If they have more advanced testing machines (unlikely) maybe they could do some flow-testing, but that is so not necessary for a new regulator.

You spent $800 in this shop if I’m reading things correctly, is that right?

 

[Joel S.]

Yep, brand new gear.

picking up some bcds and regs from my local dive shop , they offer free assembly, testing, pool time for us to get use to it..
(nothing fancy 2 kits , spg, mk11 evo/c370, hydros pro with air2, some purple panels for wifey.. heh)

this will be our first gear purchase as well, rented in Cozumel at Dressel, and our other dives have been with included gear with sandals.. we only use "their" bcd and regs, have peregrine computers ands the rest.