Improper Regulator Rinsing?

[RonDawg]

During a beach dive a bit over a month ago I noticed that my octo (Aqualung ABS) was doing a bit of freeflow as soon as I turned on the air. Pressing the purge button made the octo REALLY freeflow so the solution was to leave the air off until we made it to the beach, when my buddy would turn the air on; if it continued to freeflow in the water I would have then aborted the dive. The octo wasn't freeflowing at all once in the water, so I didn't think anything more of it.

However when I went to Monterey a week later I had the same problem. Fortunately the captain had a spare octo and simply switched it out with mine for the duration of the dives.

As soon as I got back home to LA I dropped off my reg set with my LDS (Sport Chalet). The set was only two months old so any problems should be covered under warranty. Both the Monterey boat captain and the LDS clerk thought it simply needed an adjustment. So when I got the reg set back from Sport Chalet, I was rather surprised to see this written under the "Tech Notes":

Salt build up inside octo causing freeflow. Salt deposit found inside second stage. Reg system not properly rinsed after dive. :06:

Now considering this reg set was only purchased in June and had exactly 9 dives on it, I was pretty surprised to hear that enough salt had built up in both the octo and the primary second stage (Mares Abyss) to cause a problem with the octo (but not the primary 2nd). As with the rest of my equipment it was rinsed in fresh water after each day's diving. Yet somehow my efforts weren't enough.

So how does everybody else clean their regs? Is a simple rinsing enough or should I soak the reg (something a few have NOT recommended without it being connected to a bottle, which I currently rent for each dive)? Should I add something to the water like vinegar (which in another thread was also NOT recommended due to its interaction with chrome and plastic parts) or Simple Green?

 

[ShakaZulu]

I soak both of my regs in warm water, rinse the first stage, then dry them off. Will be interested to hear what other scuba dewds do....... salt buildup can occur within hours after the dive.

 

[Ann Marie]

I always rinse my regs, gauges, and computer (AquaLung Legend LX, Apex Egress, Sunnto Cobra and Compass) inside the house in the kitchen sink with warm water. All my other gear gets rinsed in a container in the driveway. I put the dust cap on the first stage and immerse everything. So far so good!

 

[Boat]

I always rinse my regs, gauges, and computer (AquaLung Legend LX, Apex Egress, Sunnto Cobra and Compass) inside the house in the kitchen sink with warm water. All my other gear gets rinsed in a container in the driveway. I put the dust cap on the first stage and immerse everything. So far so good!

I was under the impression soaking the first stage with just a dust cover on was a bad thing. I wonder what it would do if water seeped in?

I soak all my gear in a big plastic bin except for the regs. I hold the 1st stage higher than everything thing else...rinse it....then the 2nd stage and octo. Leave them hanging to dry with the 1st stage higher.

 

[redacted]

What did you want the tech notes to say? "Adjusted too aggressivly when new." I think that is much more likely the cause than contamination of the LP seat/orifice with salt deposits. Even small amounts of sand which you will inevitably pick up in SW should not have been the main culprit.

With a simpler 2nd stage that does not have too many places for SW to hide, a good flushing in FW should be enough. A good soak is more necessary if there are places in your rig that may hold SW and do not permit much flow (like underneath hose protectors, balanced barrel poppet design 2nds, and 1st stages). I usually soak mine under pressure. But if a tank isn't handy, I'll make sure the dust cap seals well and soak away. But the best answer is hook it to a tank where soaking and purging can dilute and displace those things you don't want living in your reg.

 

[Ann Marie]

I was under the impression soaking the first stage with just a dust cover on was a bad thing. I wonder what it would do if water seeped in?

I soak all my gear in a big plastic bin except for the regs. I hold the 1st stage higher than everything thing else...rinse it....then the 2nd stage and octo. Leave them hanging to dry with the 1st stage higher.

How do you clean your 1st stage if it is higher than everything else or if it is pressurized? If I remember correctly, and I will check it out later, AquaLung recommends leaving the gauges pressurized, but if that isn't possible, than do not purge your set while rinsing in the water and make sure the dust cap is on. After rinsing, I reattach my regs and purge them in hopes of drying a little more completely. I'm off to check and see if I can find any info on aqualung.com. If I do find something, I will post it.

 

[Ann Marie]

Got this information from aqualung.com:

User Care & Maintenance
It is important to provide the proper preventative maintenance in
order to ensure the best possible performance and maximum life of your
Aqua Lung Regulator. The following maintenance procedures should be
performed routinely after each use to ensure that the regulator is cleaned,
inspected, and prepared for the next use or for storage.
1. Whenever the regulator is removed from the cylinder valve, it is
important that the dust cap is installed over the regulator inlet fitting.
This is critical to prevent the entrance of moisture into the first stage.
This cap is normally attached to the first stage yoke and may therefore
be wet. Wipe or blow the dust cap completely dry before securing it
over the inlet fitting. Check to ensure that the O-ring is seated securely
inside the dust cap.
2. As soon as possible after diving, the regulator should be rinsed thoroughly
with fresh water while it is attached to a cylinder and pressurized
with air.
3. Rinsing alone, however, will not sufficiently clean the regulator. To
clean the regulator as thoroughly as possible, it is necessary to soak it
in warm (not over 120°F) tap water for at least one hour.
Regulator Owner’s Manual 25
a. The preferred method is to attach the regulator to a charged SCUBA
cylinder, open the cylinder valve to pressurize the regulator, and
thoroughly soak both the first and second-stages. Pressurizing the
regulator will effectively prevent the entrance of moisture and/or
contaminants into the regulator while it soaks.
b. If it is not feasible to soak the regulator while it is attached to a
cylinder, it may be soaked unpressurized - provided that the dust cap
is securely sealed over the inlet with its O-ring intact, and the second
stage purges buttons are not depressed while the regulator is submerged
or wet.
NOTE: When soaking or rinsing an adjustable model regulator
unpressurized, check to ensure that the second stage adjustment knob
(VAK) is turned completely “in” (clockwise) to prevent moisture from
entering the valve and LP hose.
CAUTION: DO NOT depress the purge button, loosen the first stage
yoke screw, or turn the second stage adjustment knob all the way “out”
(adjustable models) if the regulator is submerged unpressurized. Doing
so will allow the entrance of moisture, and will require that the regulator
be returned to an Authorized Aqua Lung Dealer for service.
26 Regulator Owner’s Manual
4. While the regulator is soaking, move the vane adjustment switch
on the second stage (if present) back and forth several times
from the “MIN” (or “—”) to the “MAX” (or “+”) settings. You
may also turn the valve adjustment knob (adjustable models)
slightly back and forth—no more than 4 turn. This action will
help to loosen any salt or mineral deposits that may remain
lodged in the second stage.
5. After the regulator has been properly soaked, it is important to
rinse it vigorously by flushing the mainspring cavity of the first
stage regulator (non-environmentally sealed models only), the
second-stage mouthpiece, and the openings in the second-stage
front cover with a pressurized stream of water. This will remove
the deposits of salt and minerals that were loosened during
soaking. If the regulator is not pressurized, do not press the
purge button while submerged. Pushing the purge button at this
time will allow moisture to enter the valves, and will require
that the regulator be returned to an Authorized Aqua Lung
Dealer for service..
6. Wipe the regulator as dry as possible and hang by the first stage
to ensure that all remaining moisture drains from the second
stages.

Since I don't have a pony bottle, soaking the 1st stage while pressurized in the kitchen sink is out of the question.

 

[RonDawg]

What did you want the tech notes to say? "Adjusted too aggressivly when new."

No but I was surprised to hear that enough salt deposits built up over such a short time period (remember 3 months old/9 dives) to cause such a problem. Again both the boat captain at Monterey, and the clerk at my LDS, thought it simply needed an adjustment.

Again it's not like I NEVER cleaned the things. I'm just wondering what I'm doing wrong.

 

[Dryglove]

I soak both of my regs in warm water, rinse the first stage, then dry them off. Will be interested to hear what other scuba dewds do....... salt buildup can occur within hours after the dive.

Ditto for me. I dont worry about soaking my first stage since it is a sealed diaphram type first stage(atx200). I would assume the piston style 1st stages(mk20, etc) would need a good soaking though.

 

[Boat]

Thanks for the info Ann, greatly appreciated. I do have a pony setup so I'll start doing the "soak" thing under pressure Again, thanks...Boat