Hog D2 Environmental Seal Burst

[rjack321]

this is true, I've had 3 of them go on me. BUT what we have to remember is that the big mfg's have had bad batches of parts kits come through, Apeks, Scubapro, etc. and HOG just happens to be the most recent one and also occurred at the time that they were getting a lot of publicity for straying from the norm with service as well as the prevalence of the internet so it got blown way out of proportion imho

perhaps, but on the Apeks they tend to creep and leak. The Hogs go bang and blow out the enviro seal. I have never had this issue with a piston reg (most of which are scubapros).

 

[Pao]

I went ahead a put a few dives on it as it seemed to function fine although showing a very small leak a depth.

Doesn't seem like an HP seat failure. No freeflow. Looks more like a leak on the main diaphragm dislodging the environmental diaphragm. Reg was still usable.

 

[Centrals]

I am also wondering if it was HP seat failure as well. If it was the reg would be un-usable.
I have seen plenty bulging(environmental seal) Apeks regs before especially from those who believe if not broken don't fix it. For me it is the telltale signs that the reg requires service sooner but not later.

 

[Pao]

I am also wondering if it was HP seat failure as well. If it was the reg would be un-usable.
I have seen plenty bulging(environmental seal) Apeks regs before especially from those who believe if not broken don't fix it. For me it is the telltale signs that the reg requires service sooner but not later.

I actually use it as a sign that it's time for service ;-)

 

[tbone1004]

Doesn't seem like an HP seat failure. No freeflow. Looks more like a leak on the main diaphragm dislodging the environmental diaphragm. Reg was still usable.

the ones I have seen had dislodged diaphragms due to IP creep, so the HP seat failure was root cause

 

[Caveeagle]

Very interesting thread. I have one of my HOG D1 first stages that I pulled out of service because I noticed pressure building up under the environmental seal/cap. It looked like it was just starting to 'balloon' up, but had not burst yet. I had another 1st stage, so I just swapped it out, and was holding onto the 'defective' unit for the next opportunity to take the HOG service class. I assumed it was the HP seat as well.

 

[Pao]

Very interesting thread. I have one of my HOG D1 first stages that I pulled out of service because I noticed pressure building up under the environmental seal/cap. It looked like it was just starting to 'balloon' up, but had not burst yet. I had another 1st stage, so I just swapped it out, and was holding onto the 'defective' unit for the next opportunity to take the HOG service class. I assumed it was the HP seat as well.

Maybe you can check the IP of that reg?

 

[Pao]

Will the diaphragm "give" before the reg freeflows? I just realized that increased pressure in the environmental chamber could theoretically increase the IP in a balanced diaphragm reg.

 

[bamafan]

I have some dive buddies who have Hog regs and they have had numerous failures. My Scuba Pro piston regs are still working. I have gone 3 or more years between servicing them and they have never caused me to miss a dive.

I just got back from a 10 day cave diving trip in Cozumel over Labor Day and a buddy on the trip had this exact same issue with their Hog regs.

I really don't see the cost savings with these regs. I buy my regs used and I pay a Scuba Pro tech $50 a set to rebuild them. So for $200 or less I have what I feel is a better quality reg. I remember hearing about some of the Hog regs being sent out new and the reg was not threaded to screw in a hose. I am sure the Chinese / Taiwanese regs will continue to get better as time goes on but if you are buying them because they are a good deal it seems to me used Apeks or Scuba Pro are a better deal.

 

[rjack321]

Doesn't seem like an HP seat failure. No freeflow. Looks more like a leak on the main diaphragm dislodging the environmental diaphragm. Reg was still usable.

The HP seat doesn't seat right, the IP goes sky high, the main diaphragm pulls out from under the sealing edge which then sends the enviro chamber pressure sky high and the enviro seal tears or bursts. Seems like a common failure mode on these.
For whatever reason, when the HP seat fails and the IP shoots up the 2nds don't want to leak off the excess pressure/gas.