Mixing first and second stages from different companies

[el_dragon]

Any thoughts on the pros and cons of mixing first and second stages from different companies? For example getting a first stage from Scubapro to work with a second stage from Zeagle. Other than the easier maintenance if both are from same company can I assume interoperability between the brands? What other negatives are to be considered?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Greg Barlow]

Any thoughts on the pros and cons of mixing first and second stages from different companies? For example getting a first stage from Scubapro to work with a second stage from Zeagle. Other than the easier maintenance if both are from same company can I assume interoperability between the brands? What other negatives are to be considered?

Thanks in advance for your input.

The main concern is making certain that the suggested operating intermediate pressure for the second stage falls within the range of the first. The second stage must then be adjusted to the correct cracking effort while pressurized from the first stage. For example, if the first stage is adjusted to 140psi (above ambient pressure) and you attach a reg that was properly adjusted to a first stage set at 130psi the second stage would likely free flow from the pressure increase. If the reverse were true, then the initial inhalation effort would be too high.

Greg