Need help with O2 clean regs for 80% O2

[Peter_V]

I'm taking a Tech diving course in a couple weeks and we are going to be using 80% O2 for decompression, so I need an O2 clean reg.

Rather than renting or buying one, I'm wondering if one of my existing regs can be cleaned, etc.

From online research it appears that my Sherwood regs are out since Sherwood doesn't support using there regs with more than 40%.

I've an old Aqualung reg, a Micra with the old lumpy looking 1st stage (Cousteau? SEA?) and I have an Atomic B1.

Can the Micra/Coustea be O2 cleaned for 80%?

I know Atomic makes the M1 which can be used at 80%. Can the B1 be used at 80%? Will the parts kit from it work in the B1? Do I need to use the M1 parts to use the B1 at 80%?

FWIW the owner of the LDS is also taking this class. While he services some brands of regulators and O2 cleans tanks, he freely admits he's not familiar with O2 cleaning regs for 80% service.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tfsails]

By definition, "O2 clean" means the reg can take 100% oxygen, so 80% is a moot point. Any regs except titanium regs can be cleaned to 100% O2 standards. Just because the manufacturer doesn't support it doesn't mean it can't be done. The exception is probably Poseidon, because they have metric odd-sized o-rings that are hard to match up with viton.

Cleaning the reg must be done in an O2 clean room, with O2 clean tools, and O2-compatible lubricants. Just subsitute viton o-rings in your Sherwood after you clean it and it'll be ok. Same for Aqualung and Atomic.

FWIW, ANY new reg can be used with 40% nitrox right out of the box.

 

[walke121]

I use SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc - Product Catalog - O2 Regulator I know that O2 regs just mean that its not titanium and it has the clean parts and lubes. Most regs should be convertible to 02 clean if done correctly.

 

[Thalassamania]

... The exception is probably Poseidon, because they have metric odd-sized o-rings that are hard to match up with viton.

Metric sized viton o-rings are easily available.

 

[Scared Silly]

I know Atomic makes the M1 which can be used at 80%. Can the B1 be used at 80%? Will the parts kit from it work in the B1? Do I need to use the M1 parts to use the B1 at 80%?

The only difference between the B1 and M1 first stage are two parts, the piston which sees HP and the swivel nut which sees IP (~150psi). On the M1 they are made from Monel instead of stainless steel. On the second stage the only difference is the inlet tube which is zirconium on the M1 and titanium on the B1.

In a discussion with a tech at Atomic they recommend using only the M1 for O2 up to 80% (CYA). But they also noted that the std stainless piston would also work. Similarly for the stainless steel swivel nut. As for the Ti inlet tube on the second stage, at this point the O2 is at the IP (~10atm for 100%). To hedge your bets I probably not use it but I am sure others would say no worries. If it were a Z1 I would say no worries.

 

[chrispete]

Personally my old Sherwoods are O2 cleaned since they are built like tanks and a balanced reg at 20-30' seems to be a terrible waste of money.

 

[Peter_V]

The only difference between the B1 and M1 first stage are two parts, the piston which sees HP and the swivel nut which sees IP (~150psi). On the M1 they are made from Monel instead of stainless steel. On the second stage the only difference is the inlet tube which is zirconium on the M1 and titanium on the B1.

In a discussion with a tech at Atomic they recommend using only the M1 for O2 up to 80% (CYA). But they also noted that the std stainless piston would also work. Similarly for the stainless steel swivel nut. As for the Ti inlet tube on the second stage, at this point the O2 is at the IP (~10atm for 100%). To hedge your bets I probably not use it but I am sure others would say no worries. If it were a Z1 I would say no worries.

My LDS doesn't service Atomics so I called the dive shop up in Tucson (about 90 miles away), they called Atomics and Atomics told them that a couple of the parts in the M1 are slightly different size than those in the B1 and they won't fit.
Of course they could just be blowing smoke..

I was going to use the Micra 2nd to avoid the titanium issue with the B1 2nd.

 

[Gilldiver]

Cleaning the reg must be done in an O2 clean room, with O2 clean tools,

What specs are tools and rooms cleaned too for diving? Or, is this just something you heard?

There is a very stringent Mil-Spec, MIL-STD-1330 http://www.supsalv.org/pdf/1330D.pdf and if I was doing work it, this would be true, that spec is a real tough to meet. But have you ever seen the work benches and areas of just about every dive shop I have been in? My basement is much cleaner and neither the shop or my basement meet the Mil-Spec.

 

[Scared Silly]

My LDS doesn't service Atomics so I called the dive shop up in Tucson (about 90 miles away), they called Atomics and Atomics told them that a couple of the parts in the M1 are slightly different size than those in the B1 and they won't fit. Of course they could just be blowing smoke..

I was going to use the Micra 2nd to avoid the titanium issue with the B1 2nd.

Interesting, as I have never heard this statement before about being different sizes. I have never swapped a monel piston for a stainless piston but to my knowledge all of the regs and their internals are the made to the same spec.

I am basing the above comments on looking at the schematics of their regs.

One suggestion, have you contacted the instructor to see if they can supply/rent you with an O2 reg? That is what we did for our course. Then just use your other regs for your other deco gas.