Buoyant1
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Usually a pool dive, but only because my LDS has winter classes and I can slide in on them!
First Regulator Use after Service
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Not to pick nits, but the OP didn't say anything about "necessary", he merely asked what we do. Of course, we typically want to explain why we do it.
The key words in your point are SHOULD and IF. Most double checking SHOULD be unnecessary IF things were done properly, in just about every aspect of life. As a customer, I might get my reg back in perfect condition, and I might TRUST that is the case, or I might do a checkout dive because I do not KNOW this is the case. When the crosswalk sign says WALK I *should* be able to cross safely but I still look both ways first. It's a simple matter of personal responsibility.
I think the point about QC is simply that all humans make mistakes, and anyone who claims otherwise might be viewed warily. There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Just based on the posts in this thread, I have to wonder if I received a reg back from you and found it was free flowing, would you recite your testing procedures and insist there was no way it could have left the shop that way?
Well i dive h valves and never have serviced both my regs at the same time so i have no problem doing any dive with them
If I was planning to go on a boat charter or dive trip and my regulators had just been serviced (by someone other than myself), I'd probably just cycle them a couple dozen times and check the cracking pressure of the second stage in some water in the sink.
I also like the method of breaking in the new seats by leaving the regulators pressurized for a period of time (like an hour). After that, checking cracking pressure would be enough to reassure me that a free-flow wouldn't inconvenience me later during a dive.
I wouldn't bother with a "test" dive.
However, my regulators are simple piston first stages and simple second stages with only internal adjustment poppets, so major problems are unlikely, IMHO.
I wonder, do more complicated regulators present more of a concern immediately after servicing? Any issues there?
Dave C
Your total assertiveness that you will deliver something without a mistake implies that you dont see the possibility of a mistake; therefore you will not be looking for the possibility of a mistake. One of the first steps to a good quality assurance program is the acknowledgment that mistakes do and will happen. If you dont believe that mistakes and errors will occur, guess what, they will get by without anyone checking for them.
No one will ever double check a product as long as you are under the illusion that mistakes will not occur. We are all human we make errors. At least most of us acknowledge that we are.
We can put quality assurance systems in place to check for mistakes and errors, but you first have to be aware that mistakes will happen. It also helps to identify the most common types of mistakes.
I am aware that regulators are very simple mechanisms and we dont often seem to need a high level of quality control for its service, but the basic principles of QC still apply.
After servicing any of my regs. I TEST DIVE them of course in a controlled setting....this is really the only way to approach serviced regs smartly IMO. 'Anyone' contending that they can or should trust a professional reg. tech's work 99% is just not providing safe and good advise to fellow divers and consumers.
R
redacted
Guest
While basic functkioning is clearly a worthwhile test and cracking pressure is so easily done, I know I would have to check, by hand, to make sure everything seems tight and do a vacuum test. Those checks will catch errors that can blow up into big problems UW.
I suspect that my adjustables and my balanced adjustables have lower parts counts than your "second stages with only internal adjustment poppets" 2nds. So I'm not sure exactly what is more complicated. Those user adjustments make it possible for the diver to correct some cracking pressure adjustment errors. But I do agree, the more pieces parts that have to be reassembled, the more opportunity for error. Thankfully, most reg behave pretty badly if all the parts are not put back in the right place (there are some exceptions). Unfortunately, that does not necessarily mean it has benn correctly reassembled.
Every diver should have ready access to an IP gauge to properly inspect a reg. I don't know why shops don't have a tank and a gauge sitting out for customers to use. Actually, I'm afraid I do know why. Many would prefer that their customers do not have enough knowledge to use one.
Can someone define "regulator service"? Is it test and inspection? Is it cleaning, test and inspection? Are parts removed and reinstalled with existing or new? Does a manufacturer's recommended "service" mean replace all parts?
For me to follow this thread or similar, I need to know how service is defined?
DET
For me to follow this thread or similar, I need to know how service is defined?
DET
DET.... I to have not read the complete thread...but I am betting that an annual or required regulator service for many of us is having your reg. visually inspected, torn down and cleaned....all worn parts replaced and o-rings replaced and appropreatly lubed, reassembled....tuned and bench tested.
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