Intermediate Pressure Guage

[driftwood]

There is a current thread on how often a reg should be inspected,
Regulator annual inspection.

LeisurePro is selling IPG's for $18.70, Intermediate Pressure Gauge Plugs Into The BCD Quick Disconnect Hose | LeisurePro

Easy to learn what the gauge is telling you.

 

[spectrum]

Buy a spare for that price!

 

[CT Sean]

SCUBA Repair Tools - Dive Gear Express has it for 7.95

I bought one a little while back but though the gauge was a bit small so I replaced it with a 2 1/2" Ashcroft from Ebay like this one Ashcroft 0 300PSI 2 1 2" DIA 1 4"NPT Lower Pressure Gauge 25W1005 H 02L NEW | eBay
(though I found a 1/8 NPT fitting so no adapter needed)

 

[Zung]

Bigger can be slower, especially if it's oil damped, like the one in the middle: it has a response time that's noticeably slower than that of the regulator, and that could make the evaluation of the reg a bit more difficult.

 

[guruboy]

SCUBA Repair Tools - Dive Gear Express has it for 7.95

$14.15 with shipping for me. Still cheaper though. Look like they are the same thing/model.

 

[chrpai]

For years I knew what an IP gauge was and that I needed to have one and yet I never got off my rear to order one. My wife got cancer and I gave all my gear away. When she got better I set out to buy everything and an IP gauge was on my list as required gear.

This is one of those things that I think every diver should understand and have one in his save a dive kit. And yet you rarely see an LDS carry it. I have my theories on why but I'll stop there.

In short, if you don't have an IP gauge. Go order one right now.

 

[3D diver]

I have no logical need for such a thing...so, of course, just ordered one.

 

[CT Sean]

It's not oil filled and the needle reacts pretty darn quick to pressure changes (such as purging the reg)

 

[chrpai]

I have no logical need for such a thing...so, of course, just ordered one.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html

6. Intermediate pressure check. Get a scuba regulator intermediate pressure gauge: Intermediate Pressure Gauge Plugs Into The BCD Quick Disconnect Hose from LeisurePro.com

Find out what the IP range should be for your regulator (most are ~ 135 +/- 10 psi.) Connect your regulator to a tank and open the tank valve. Connect the IP gauge to the LP inflator hose, and lightly press the purge a few times to "cycle" the regulator.

The intermediate pressure should dip whenever the air is flowing, and immediately return to the acceptable range and remain steady. If it tends to climb (creep) that indicates there is a problem with the first stage that must be corrected. It's not a bad idea to leave the regulator pressurized with the IP gauge connected for several minutes to check for slow IP creep.

Now you do.

 

[3D diver]

I'm an engineer, so love accumulating data & I'm a tool guy, so rarely pass up a tool I might need.

The value of having this information is obvious, though I've been (naively?) assuming my annual service would keep the IP in line.

I don't suppose anyone monitors this while actually diving?