Help Fixing My Reg

[Teller]

Let me start by saying I am not Regulator Tech by any means at all. I have an old IST Reg I bought when I was 15. i have had it about ten years but have not used it for any diving in about 5 years. It has just been sitting around my garage. I wanted to try and learn how to take a reg apart and put it back together and figured since I had no use for this reg and since it's not worth much it would'nt be a big deal if I broke it or couldnt figure out how to get it back together again. Well I took it apart and I got it back together again but everytime I hook it up to a take it just free flows. It's not a big deal cause I dont need the reg it's really just pissing me off because I cant figure it out. Does anyone have any idea what I could have done wrong when I put it together.

 

[ianr33]

Take the front cover off the second stage,see if it freeflows then. If it does not the height of the lever that the diaphragm pushes on is too high (Effectively the same thing as pushing the purge button in all the time) It is adjusted by a slotted screw that you access by taking off the LP hose.

If thats not it check to make sure you put all the pieces back together!

 

[herman]

I am not familure with that reg so its a little hard to troubleshoot via the internet. My best advise is to buy, study and understand these 2 books. If you do, odds are all you will easily figure out what is wrong with the reg. Here are the books. "Regulator Savvy" which you can get at Scuba Tools and "SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR" which you can get at Airspeed Press Homepage - Books For Serious Divers Both books are great in themselves and the 2 combined will give you a solid foundation for learning reg repair......and a couple of photos of the reg would help. Tell us what the IP is doing.....and if you have no clue what that is, get the books, read and then ask again.

 

[Couv]

Let’s back up just a bit. Have you taken both the first stage and second stage apart? Either way, you must first determine if you are getting the correct Intermediate Pressure to the first stage. Before doing anything to the second stage you MUST have correct IP. If you don’t know if your fist stage is putting out the correct pressure, hook the second stage up to a first stage you know to be good and go from there. Here is a link to a checklist the Usual Suspects have put together.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4320058-post14.html

Good luck and keep us posted.

Couv

 

[Teller]

Take the front cover off the second stage,see if it freeflows then. If it does not the height of the lever that the diaphragm pushes on is too high (Effectively the same thing as pushing the purge button in all the time) It is adjusted by a slotted screw that you access by taking off the LP hose.

If thats not it check to make sure you put all the pieces back together!

Adjusting that screw did the trick but I am not sure about the IP that someone else metioned. Oh well just an old reg that ill never use again. Thanks for the help

 

[Ed Palma]

I agree with couv. First thought that got into my head was in incorrectly adjusted IP. Can you send more info regarding the reg? A photo would be helpful.

 

[halocline]

If I'm reading this correctly, you took apart and put back together your reg, yet you don't know what IP is or how to measure it? Or did I miss something?

Where in TX are you, maybe someone can help.

 

[widget]

(Effectively the same thing as pushing the purge button in all the time) It is adjusted by a slotted screw that you access by taking off the LP hose.

Sure, but doing that also puts more pressure on a worn seat, increases resistance on a worn poppit spring and overcomes an increased Intermediate pressure - all of which will increase breathing resistance, cracking pressure and purge button effeciancy, so Yes, I agree its a possible cause, but unless it was the primary problem, by just increasing tension on the adjuster, you can actually create a few others you never had to begin with.

As a rule of thumb, a good test would be to remove the face plate and diaghram as well as the LP hose, - adjust the tensioning screw outwards until you can blow freely through the opening, now screw the adjuster in until there is a seal and you cannot overcome the spring tension, now tighten the screw a further half a turn, connect up the air and test, if it still freeflows tighten a further quarter turn, test, if you have to tighten more than a further full turn - chances are your issue is either a worn (damaged) LP seat or a too high intermediate pressure.

If you have no free-flow, adjust the tensioning screw outwards until you get a free -flow then a further quarter turn in - all good and no free flow - install the diaghram and face plate, if you now have a free flow its a purge arm height issue, if not as a field repair you are probably set to go.!

 

[knowone]

This is a mirage. This is a mira This is a mi This is a This is This Knowone can help.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

DUI_Diver,

See post #3 by Herman. Buy the books, buy an IP gauge.

The starting point of regulator diagnosis, trouble-shooting, and tuning is the first stage IP. Once you've determined the IP is correct and stable, you can move forward with other diagnostic steps. If you don't know the IP any other correction you make might be a "false fix".

Read the books! They will help a great deal.

Best wishes.