Mark X Dual Balanced Lever Height Issue

[Zung]

Ouch!
There goes the once in a life time opportunity of using a 5 cents awap seat in a balanced reg.
You're stuck with the Trident seats that cost a wopping $2. But I wouldn't worry about the shimming: I'm sure it'll work just fine.

 

[Couv]

I tried to modify an old style blue poppet to accept the rivet seat-but failed miserably. By the time I was able to drill deep enough into the head (which turns out to be black painted brass) the head comes off.

However, I'm with Zung on this one. Why not just modify a puck seat to fit into the gray poppet?

I do admire the spirit in which it was done and I'm envious of the success you had.

 

[Zung]

Actually, there're a flaw in my math: the awap seat is flippable, so the net cost is 2.5 cents .
Possibly, that's the reason why my only 156 with that river poppet is currently my favorite rig.

 

[NotSure]

I tried out my modified poppet yesterday and it is definitely going to need some shimming in order to work properly. The small difference in the seat thickness makes a huge difference in the lever geometry. I was able to get it to work, but it required the orifice to be almost bottomed out and the knob screwed in half way. I will try shims and give an update, but it's obvious to me now that I should have gone with the expert advice I got here. Now I need to go buy a cheap micrometer so I don’t have to use trial and error to find the right shim thickness.

 

[NotSure]

After quite a bit of experimenting with this regulator I now believe that my lever issue pedates my ownership. I returned this regulator to the configuration I recieved it in and still have the same issue. Someone must have replaced the lever with an old style G250 lever and then when they had issues, just decided to sell it. Aparently the lever slot in the air tube on the Mark X is slightly different than the 109/BA. I now believe my problem can be fixed with the proper lever. I believe that I need a lever with a flater foot angle like the one on the right in the photo I stole from couv below. This lever would probably be the one that gave you too low of a lever height in the normal adjustment range in the average 109/BA. If anyone has one that they would be willing to trade for ? or cash, PM me.

 

[Couv]

PM sent.

 

[NotSure]

Before I get to the part were I admit I just couldn’t see the forest for the trees, I just want to thank couv for all of his help. I think I needed to try a different lever to get me looking in other directions. My suspicion that this regulator was nonfunctional when I received it did turn out to be the case, but I suspected the wrong part. It turns out that the lever never was the problem and neither was my modified poppet. The photo below of the spring that came with the reg. (top) along side one from one of my other Balanced Adjustables makes it easy to see were my problem was. I don’t know if this is just a bad spring, the wrong spring, or just one someone got out of an old ball point pen. With new spring installed my modified poppet has a slightly crisper crack at about 1.0 in. than my other BA’s, but just fine, not as noticeable as a 109. I have definitely learned that a close examination of all parts compared with known standards is a must when working with regulators that may be thirty or more years old. This is the third Ebay regulator that I have received that had potentially serious issues. I hope no one out there dives with Ebay bought regs. without first going through them carefully or taking them to a pro.

 

[Zung]

The metal parts are gorgeous! Worth it even if it came without a spring!

 

[Couv]

Well done on finding the problem. Thank you for posting the updates up to the finish line. One favor to ask, I like your digital dial caliper, how about a close up shot of the length and gauge of the correct spring so we have it for posterity?

I second Brother Zung's statement. That is a beautiful 109 you have. I've been keeping my "show piece" in bubble wrap afraid to sell it or dive it. Time to pull it out and add it to the fleet.

 

[ams511]

He

The knob is also different from a BA.
View attachment 122586

I have seen this kind of knob before on Balanced Adjustables and early G250s. I think they were used between the full metal knobs and the kind with the plastic knob.

BTW: There is a file online called "Grim Reaper Regulator", which was a transcript from a 2007 caving diving seminar. Two points the author made was 1) Don't copy what was inside and 2) Check the regulator before you service it. If you cannot find it online and want it let me know and I will send it to you. Ebay regs are like a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get.