MK17 / G250V free flow

[pheel]

thanks DA,

as for the free flow under ice, since it happened only on the first dive I do assume that I may have done something wrong (and we all learn from those experience). However, a free flow at 110' @ 42F upsets me. Not that I thought this reg was bulletproof but at least not that sensitive.

I'm even wondering if something have changed with design of G250V

p

 

[Web Monkey]

as for the free flow under ice, since it happened only on the first dive I do assume that I may have done something wrong (and we all learn from those experience). However, a free flow at 110' @ 42F upsets me. Not that I thought this reg was bulletproof but at least not that sensitive.

There's no such thing as a bulletproof regulator.

Any hardware can fail to operate as you expect it to, and a freeflow in cold water shouldn't be an unexpected event. It only takes a minor mistake to cause one, even with a sealed regulator.

I would suggest not diving in 110' of 42 degree water until you have a dive plan, training and a buddy that can safely accommodate failures, because they will happen.

Terry

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I agree. The ability to shut down your valve and bail out to a pony or other fully redundant system is also very nice. A couple minutes of non-use will normally thaw a freeze flowing reg.

My preferred reg for non-technical cold water diving is still a double hose reg as both first and second stages are 'sealed'. That along with the enormous surface area of the metal cans on most of them promotes very efficient heat transfer and makes them virtually bullet proof in very cold water.

 

[pheel]

thanks for yours replies.

 

[a22shady]

Sorry to hear about your luck, Sucks when a Diveshop talks/Treats a customer like that. It lets you know how much the trully appreciate you. My G/F and I have have that same settup and have dove it over a year here in the northeast. While we have never done Ice diving we have dove in colder waters coldest being 37F and no deeper then 60'. We always leave the knob about 80% Open and have never yet had any problems with free flowing or not. My only other thing if your thinking maybe it was something you did not do is maybe the Tech servicing them did not set the reg up properlly we all mistakes and things can happen.

 

[elan]

I agree. The ability to shut down your valve and bail out to a pony or other fully redundant system is also very nice. A couple minutes of non-use will normally thaw a freeze flowing reg.

My preferred reg for non-technical cold water diving is still a double hose reg as both first and second stages are 'sealed'. That along with the enormous surface area of the metal cans on most of them promotes very efficient heat transfer and makes them virtually bullet proof in very cold water.

Yeap I had my RAM in 36F water and I had the second stage leaking air on a constant base for 40 mins, despite the constat air flow neither second not the first stage froze.

I'm not sure a regular diaphragm reg leaking air on a constant base in such a cold water has any chances of surviving

 

[pheel]

Sorry to hear about your luck, Sucks when a Diveshop talks/Treats a customer like that. It lets you know how much the trully appreciate you. My G/F and I have have that same settup and have dove it over a year here in the northeast. While we have never done Ice diving we have dove in colder waters coldest being 37F and no deeper then 60'. We always leave the knob about 80% Open and have never yet had any problems with free flowing or not. My only other thing if your thinking maybe it was something you did not do is maybe the Tech servicing them did not set the reg up properlly we all mistakes and things can happen.

Thanks for your input. Glad to hear this reg is doing the job for you. We are planning to go back to the quarry this saturday to see if mine does the same thing @ 110'. We'll have a pony this time

 

[a22shady]

Well good luck hopefully all works out well, Always diving with a Pony/sling bottle is definetly a smart Idea or atleast having doubles. From what I have been told a lot of people swear by this reg but it's mechanical and anything can fail. hopefully this next dive goes off with out any problems. If you decide to look at other Reg's I also Dive with the Atomic M1's which are a sealed Piston but have not had them in water below 42F yet.

Let us know how it goes your next dive.

 

[pheel]

Yesterday my buddy went to the shop with his reg. The owner/tech called SP and they suggest lowering the IP from 135 to 125 psi. Apparently, tech diver who go deeper are getting their IP lowered down to 110.

Again they also suggest turning the adjustment knob to its maximum, so the spring is fully compressed.

We'll see, my reg IP won't be lowered for now. I'll give you some news monday when I'm back from the quarry.

p

 

[pheel]

Well, we went down to the bottom of the quarry, 127' @ 42F. No free flow for both my buddy and I. Might I have to do with the knob, however I found it safe not to touch it when we where at the bottom

p