HOG Regulator Issue

[Jbell8289]

Took the reg to my LDS (divers supply macon) they fixed the problem and showed me how to fix it should this occur again or if i decide to tune it the way many of you described with a slight hiss.

What do you mean by "all the way down"? Is that the easiest or hardest breathing position? That is, all the way out or all the way in?

the easiest breathing position = all the way out, lowest cracking pressure, hissing

Your reg is probably fine. I think some manufacturers actually specify a slight free flow with the adjustment knob all the way out. You could get it adjusted but unless it's free to do so, I wouldn't bother. As long as you can adjust the leak out easily, just dive it for a while. Eventually it will get worse and then you can get it serviced.


It's possible that it's just a simple adjustment of the orifice, sorry I don't know the details on this reg. But, if it's a standard barrel poppet reg like the G250, you just remove the hose, look inside where the hose was connected, and you'll see either a slot or allen fitting. That's the orifice. You could depress the purge, then turn that fitting a little, maybe 1/4 turn, clockwise. That should stop it.

This is exactly what the issue was, the technician at divers supply showed me how to adjust it, depress the purge and use a 3/16 allen wrench turned clockwise is for less flow and counter clockwise is more flow, might try and play around with it a little since it will be a while b4 i go diving again.

You've already gotten good answers, but one more can't hurt to help put your mind at ease

If what you are describing is that the regulator "hisses" softly with the adjuster knob at the easiest-breathing setting (full counterclockwise), and you can stop the "hiss" by turning the the adjuster in (clockwise) 1/8 - 1/4 turn or so:

arty: Celebrate! arty:

You are one of the lucky few that have received a regulator from the factory that is tuned the way many regulator techs tune their personal regulators... For maximum possible performance. A slight freeflow that is easily stopped by turning the adjuster knob in slightly is a perfectly tuned second stage, and other near-identical 2nd stages (Zeagle, Apex) say this is "ok" in their repair manuals.

If you really need maximum air flow during a dive, you know that you can crank the knob all the way out and you'll be getting every bit of air the 2nd stage can possibly deliver.... But you'll normally dive with the knob turned in about 1/4 turn, otherwise there will be a slight "leakage" of air in between breaths.

Best wishes.

darn and i just got it tuned down....oh well might have to try and give it a little adjustment on my own

Don't the HOG regs come with instructions on tuning?
If they don't, they should. I realize that they're marketed towards the tech crowd, but I'd be willing to bet that, due to the great price, lots of divers who've never seen the inside of a reg might buy one.

IMHO, I think that a complete overhaul manual should come with the regs, too.

No it did not but i wish it had, thinking about buying reg savy so i can get better at these things, i have been taking mine apart and learning the workings of it though.. very elegant and simple machines if you really look at it.

Thanks again for all the help everyone!!!!

 

[SwimJim]

There is no "2nd stage IP". IP stands for intermediate pressure and is the output pressure of the 1st stage. You can adjust the cracking effort of the 2nd stage "match" the IP of the 1st stage, but fine-tuning IP is probably not going to do anything in this case, because the 2nd stage (I assume!) is air-balanced, meaning it will compensate for slight fluctuations in IP.

But, you do raise a good point, in that it would be a good idea to check the IP and make sure its nice and stable and within the manufacturer's specified range.

You are correct. IP stands for INTERSTAGE PRESSURE and has nothing to do with the second stage. If the interstage pressure is above about 170 psi the second stage will leak. It's designed to do that. A check of the IP is important. It is unlikely however in a new reg that the 1st stage will be real out of whack. The problem or non issue here is the adjustable 2nd. I think the previous posts have cleared up the issue here. If the manufacturer didn't bother with an adjustable 2nd stage and made it right in the first place, this thread would not exist.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Took the reg to my LDS (divers supply macon) they fixed the problem and showed me how to fix it should this occur again or if i decide to tune it the way many of you described with a slight hiss...... darn and i just got it tuned down....oh well might have to try and give it a little adjustment on my own

Hi Jbell8289,

If the tech just screwed the orifice in enough to stop the hiss, there is probably no need to tune the reg any "hotter" than this.... it will be so close to "perfect" tuning that you'll be unable to tell the difference when you breath it underwater. I honestly can't tell the difference between a reg that is tuned to hiss slightly, and another identical reg that is tuned to just barely stop the hiss. They both will breath really well. With the reg that hisses softly I just know I can't get it any better

But if you do decide to re-tune it, and just in case the tech did not tell you:

1.) "A little goes a long way" when adjusting the orifice in your 2nd stage (the orifice is accessed by removing the hose). Think in terms of 1/12 of a turn (30 degrees), which is often how "fine" the tuning is between softly "hissing", and just barely stopping the "hiss".

2.) Always depress the purge button whenever you adjust the orifice! By depressing the purge you lift the soft seat away from the orifice as you turn it, and avoid prematurely wearing out the seat.

Have fun with your new regs!!

 

[divad]

If the manufacturer didn't bother with an adjustable 2nd stage and made it right in the first place, this thread would not exist.

Fart.

 

[Jbell8289]

Hi Jbell8289,

If the tech just screwed the orifice in enough to stop the hiss, there is probably no need to tune the reg any "hotter" than this.... it will be so close to "perfect" tuning that you'll be unable to tell the difference when you breath it underwater. I honestly can't tell the difference between a reg that is tuned to hiss slightly, and another identical reg that is tuned to just barely stop the hiss. They both will breath really well. With the reg that hisses softly I just know I can't get it any better

But if you do decide to re-tune it, and just in case the tech did not tell you:

1.) "A little goes a long way" when adjusting the orifice in your 2nd stage (the orifice is accessed by removing the hose). Think in terms of 1/12 of a turn (30 degrees), which is often how "fine" the tuning is between softly "hissing", and just barely stopping the "hiss".

2.) Always depress the purge button whenever you adjust the orifice! By depressing the purge you lift the soft seat away from the orifice as you turn it, and avoid prematurely wearing out the seat.

Have fun with your new regs!!

thanks for the advice, good to know im not crazy for wanting to do it myself lol