Mares Axis Octo freeflow

[sailnj]

Mnflyboy once bubbled...
with my Axis Backup when using a scumball. Ended up using that "stupid octo holder" that came with the unit and the freeflow stopped. LDS and other threads on this board say that you need to drill a small hole in scumball to let water into the mouthpiece and equalize the pressure, or something like that. I like my Axis, breathes nice and easy.

Jaye

I second that - the "stupid octo holder" virtually seals the mouthpiece so I don't even know how it could free flow with that on. It's actually convenient to hang the octo on the bc by it but if it was needed in a pinch I'm not sure if the mouthpiece would survive being ripped off the "stupid holder" . I hope it would since Mares supplied it but I havent tested it out yet.

 

[taat2d]

Faust why don't you take a trip to New York so you could help me out? I can say that every time the LDS has adjust the octo for me, they haven't done anythign to the first stage. I think they were adjusting the height lever you were talking about. I have a friend who's does this kind of work and I'm gonna have him take a look at it for me. He suggested using lock tite. He say's there is 2 screws? One lets you loosen the whole thing-a-ma-jig? Then you adjust the lever height with the other screw? I have no idea. But anyway he said that if both screws are lock tite with the blue lock tite the adjustment should hold. Any truth to this or should it be left alone?

 

[ifukuda]

taat2d,

It sounds like the IP on your reg is set too high.

If you recently, purchased your reg, your LDS probably did not bother to bench test it before handing it over to you. If you had this reg for a while, or if you purchased it used, it probably has not been properly serviced.

What I'm concerned about is the fact that your LDS simply cranked down the sensitivity of your octo for a freeflow problem that is as significant as the one you describe. I'd take the reg back to the shop, and (politley) demand that the shop PROPERLY fix the problem (rather than simply hiding the symptoms by adjusting the octo to the point that it's almost unbreathable). And make sure to tell them upfront that the LDS should comp any service charges because the reg was not properly setup to begin with.

Do NOT adjust the octo yourself. It shouldn't be adjusted until the IP is properly adjusted. And you would give the LDS an excuse to charge you for the re-adjustment of the octo if you've messed around with it.

FYI: I dive with a V16 first + Epos second. I've had techs adjust my IP anywhere between: 115 - 140. At 115, the reg would never freeflow. At higher IP's the reg seems breathe slightly better at depth (70~100ft).

 

[taat2d]

I use the Orbiter for my primary. It breathes easy and I've never had a priblem with it. They are both almot like brand new. And you're right I bought them the handed me the box with everything in it and I was off and on my way none the wiser. I bought the whole set up last June and I have the fisrt 2 years with free service. But I have brought it back to them 5 times for this freeflow problem and they do the same thing every time. I also emailed Mares and they never bothered to reply to my email. I have a friend who works in the industry and hopefull tomorrow I can get him to look everything over for me. I'll report back and HOPEFULLY have good news on this. And thanx.

 

[ScoobieDooo]

Wow taat2d,
That MARES has pretty impressive Customer Service, huh?

 

[taat2d]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
SCOOBIE wassup?? I missed you last night dude. I was lonely on the puter. I'm so pissed about this whole thing it's not even funny anymore. Tomorrow I got a friend whos gonna take a look at my regs. If it can't be taken care of once and for all I'm gonna sell everything on Ebay and I WILL NEVER EVER buy any Mares products again. Their Customer Service SUCKS!!!!!

 

[ScoobieDooo]

Sorry Dude,
Chemistry this semester is killing me...I have loads of studying to do! Cations, Anions, Protons, Electrons, Atomic Mass, Atomic Weights - ARGGHHH!

What WILL I ever use all this for anyways?

 

[taat2d]

HUH???


LOL

 

[ifukuda]

>Quote by ScoobieDoo:
>Wow taat2d,
>That MARES has pretty impressive Customer Service, huh?

Actually, almost all manufactures suck when it comes to replying to email inquiries. I don't think I've ever gotten a reply to any email inguiry from any SCUBA gear manufactuer. It's much easier to just call. I've called Mares before, and their rep was reasonably helpful...and even pretented to be deeply apologetic when I mentioned that I never recieved a reply to my email inquiry.

But, taat2d's problem is the LDS's fault. It doesn't take a lot of time to adjust the IP (and perhaps replace the HP seat in the 1st stage). Any regulator sitting in some LDS's inventory for a year needs to be bench tested and adjusted before giving it to a diver that is going to rely on it for life-support.

taat 2d,

If you're going to get rid of your Mares reg and get a Poseidon, don't get it at the same LDS. If they can't (or are unwilling to) properly service your Mares reg, what makes you think they can service a Poseidon?

 

[taat2d]

Oh deffinitly not!! If the problem isn't fixed I won't be going back to that LDS. It's not even that close to me. And i feel like every time I go in there they're stroking me with this problem. But, I'm just talking to relieve some stress. I actually like the way my Orbiter breathes. Worse case senario I'll keep the Axis for a backup and I'll buy a new octo.