kind of a silly question

[MSilvia]

I like to look at pretty little fishies and those don't like the cold... so, I would have to move in order to thnk about local diving seriously.

I'm not sure where you are in New England, but if it's pretty fishies you're after, you could always dive southern new england in late summer and early fall when you can see tropical fish while shore diving. I don't give my regs a workout in the tub, but I find diving in New England so enjoyable that it's rare for my regs to go more than a few weeks without use.

 

[OceanicRocks]

where exactly in southern new england are you refring to where you see tropical fish? and are these the nice colorful ones? I was also refering to corals... I like to look at corals too... what kind of corals do you see in new england waters? if any LOL

 

[OceanicRocks]

BTW I'm 1/2 hout north of NYC

 

[Luis H]

As Luis said, yea we're in Maine.


As much as I enjoyed the reefs of Bonaire I find the terrain and plant life of our sites to be much more interesting.


Pete

Just for the record, Pete and I do not share the same opinion on this subject.
If I didn’t know any better I say he suffering from a bad case of narcosis… The diving is decent, but: “much more interesting”…not IMO.

I also like coral reef, sea fans, tube sponges, etc. etc. Sea weed in different shades of brown is...OK.
Maybe I am biased by the fact that I grew up diving in the Caribbean, but I think Pete has a particular positive attitude about our local diving. It is very decent diving and from what I read probably a lot better than many inland spots.

It has been almost 6 month since we were in Bonaire and I am still suffering from PBD.
I will be in Puerto Rico in about 4 weeks. It should be great.

In reference to the tropical fish that were mentioned, my understanding is that they are carried north on the Gulf Stream and end up on the coast of Rhode Island and perhaps eastern Connecticut. They tend to show up in the summer and fall, but will not survive the winter.



Added:
Any local diving will also have the added benefit of helping you being comfortable in the water, which in turn will help you enjoy any vacation dive destination much more. After getting used to diving with a hood and gloves up here, you appreciate warm water diving just a bit more.

Your equipment doesn’t have to get acclimated to the water, but the diver does and it also allows you to re-familiarize yourself with your equipment. I grew up diving in the Caribbean since the early 70’s so I feel very comfortable in the water, but I am still glad I get to go diving in regular basis. It allows me to play with some different dive gear on a regular basis.

 

[beester]

Leave the adjustment all the way out to reduce the pressure on the soft seat. Tape a couple of quarters together and insert them between the purge button and the cover. If that proves too expensive ;-) use a couple of popsicle sticks cut to fit.

c

A couple of weeks ago I was reading the manual for my G250V 2nd stage (yes I know I'm anal)... and the following under store procedures seems to be appropriate.

When storing SP G250V 2nd stage keep it in a dry and dark place yadeyadeyade...

1) Set venturi assist valve to Pre-dive
2) Set the cracking pressure valve to fully open
3) Push purgebutton slightly inwards and turn to left (counterclockwise).

Anyway...I checked and indeed... by slightly pushing in the purge button and turning left the purge button would remain pushed in (S logo would be tilted to the left). So the SP G250V has a standard 'purge valve depresser' Up until I read this thread I didn't realise that this realy is a good feature...

Maybe other regulators (other brands) have the same feature?

 

[Luis H]

Anyway...I checked and indeed... by slightly pushing in the purge button and turning left the purge button would remain pushed in (S logo would be tilted to the left). So the SP G250V has a standard 'purge valve depresser' Up until I read this thread I didn't realise that this realy is a good feature...

Maybe other regulators (other brands) have the same feature?

That seams like a nice simple feature. I bet many people that never read the instruction manual would never find out about it.

Scubapro used to provide a small paddle and then a key to push the diaphragm in on the metal adjustable (109), but it seems far more convenient to have that feature built in (and I would not use anything that would maintain the diaphragm cover deformed in a 109 anymore, read my post #17 above). It also seems simpler to depress the purge button than Atomics retractable volcano orifice (granted that is a noble idea also, but it adds one more o-ring seal and moving parts).

 

[Couv]

Depressing the purge valve is basically a good idea, but I feel it was more important in the days when we wanted to extend the service interval as much as possible (3 to 5+ years or more). I don’t feel it is as critical if you intend on servicing it and replacing the LP seat every couple of years or so.

An important exception (which I believe may apply to you) is the Scubapro Metal Adjustable 109 (or Balanced Adjustable) second stage. IMHO I would not depress the purge button in fear to permanently set the diaphragm cover. The second stage seats (poppet) are readily availed for this regulator, but the diaphragm covers are not. I much rather preserve the diaphragm cover in its relaxed original state than risk damaging it in a deformed position.

Some of my diaphragm covers are well over 30 years old and I would like them to last another 30 years (at this point they are in great shape). I don’t think we will see replacement covers in the future.

This does not affect the OP, but it is something to keep in mind for any owner of a Scubapro Metal second stage.

Well,

Darn it....now I'll have to go dig out my regulators when I get home and comply. I did not even consider the issue with the diaphragm covers, so I'll have to see if I have them distorted. In addition, I know that I have a couple of old metals that I just aquired that need the diaphragm covers replaced due to dry rot. If you have a tip on a suitable replacement please pass it on...same for the exhaust tees.

Thanks Luis,

couv

 

[OutSpokenAnonymity]

one thing you mentioned that I cant believe no one else brought up was the part about periodically using your reg in a bucket... and how the first stage wouldn't get wet. Water doesn't really effect the second stage, but water (under pressure) does effect the first stage. That said a couple inches of water in a bath tub would not cause any of the effects of water under pressure (raises the IP). Therefor... playing with a reg in the bathtub may be fun, but does little. It might be a good idea to take a few hits off of your regs every few months to make sure nothing is stuck together (I guess it COULD happen) . As far as depressing the purge without deforming the diaphragm, Id say just remove the face plate and diaphragm, I like the idea of a Popsicle stick with some quarters on it (looks kinda like a breaker bar) rubber banded to the second stage pushing in on the lever. However those Delta 4s can be kinda a pain in the rear to open because the beauty ring is so smooth its hard to grab and unscrew.

You can always buy an Atomics which has a wave washer preventing the adjustable orifice from smashing into the soft seat. Then its problem solved for you (if there ever really was a problem)

 

[Luis H]

Opening the second stage and pressing directly on the lever would work, but I wouldn’t go to that much trouble. As I mentioned earlier, if you service your regulator at least every two or three years it should not be much of a problem. Especially with a balanced second stage were the spring force on the poppet/ seat is relatively light.


I own around four balanced adjustable in good diving condition (several more for parts) and it would be too much of a hassle to keep the second stage open for storage.

I am for the most part a proponent of the philosophy that “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it”. Therefore, based on the light spring pressure on the balanced adjustable, I hope to get at least 5 years but maybe close to 10 between rebuilds before I can measure any degradation in performance. I do store them with the adjustment knob all the way out and inspect them regularly.


Couv
I read somewhere that Scubapro was making a generic exhaust “T” that fits the Balanced Adjustable. It may not be ideal, but it is supposed to work.

I am not sure of a source for the rubber diaphragm covers. I will ask my LDS. I think I may have one (maybe two) NOS, but I am saving it as a last resource. I have bought several BA second stages that the chrome doesn’t look that good just for the parts. If I ever needed them I can also have them re-chromed (we do that a lot with double hose regulators).

The lack of a diaphragm cover would be the only reason why these regulators may be taken out of service in the next several decades (while on the mean time all the newer plastic fantastic regulators may have long being recycled into soda bottles, lol).

 

[Couv]

snip ....I will ask my LDS. ....

Thank you

The lack of a diaphragm cover would be the only reason why these regulators may be taken out of service in the next several decades (while on the mean time all the newer plastic fantastic regulators may have long being recycled into soda bottles, lol).

I have a couple of older G250ies that I am hanging on to until I get parts for my metals....If I can get the covers and exhaust tees I might steal your idea and take my regs down to the local plating shop and see what they can do for me.

couv