New Apeks Question

[MuddyFox]

I received my new ATX200 from the dealer today. Mighty nice. However I do have a few questions as I have never bought a new reg before. The user manual didn't provide the info I need.

1. The ATX40 octo 2nd stage came unattached from the hose. What is the proper procedure for connecting it? Can I just screw it on as it appears? Do I need to blow it out? Do I grease it? Also, to I tighten it down with a wrench or just finger tight?

2. I removed the dust cover of the first stage and looked where the filter would be. Either the filter is pure white or there is some kind of cover in there... which is it? The regulators that I have seen all have grey filters.

Thanks!

 

[scottbeach]

Apeks regs have white filters, at least my TX-40 does. I noticed that too because my wife's Aqualung Titan LX is a grey mesh.

 

[raxafarian]

MuddyFox once bubbled...
2. I removed the dust cover of the first stage and looked where the filter would be. Either the filter is pure white or there is some kind of cover in there... which is it? The regulators that I have seen all have grey filters.

Thanks!

I thought the same thing... that they left some kind of cover in there... but that's the way it's supposed to be... pure white.

 

[Scubaroo]

Regarding the second stage, two things:

1. Attaching the hose to the first stage - this must be done up with a wrench. Do it up by hand, and then just give it a nudge tight with a wrench. The Apex regulators are usually chrome (in black or silver) plated brass, and brass is pretty soft relative to some other metals, so don't screw it hard with the wrench.

2. Attaching the hose to the second stage - this can be done finger tight, but I like to give it the tiniest nudge with a wrench just to lock it in place.

Use a *tiny* light drop of silicon grease on the o-rings, or oxygen-compatible grease if using nitrox. The grease doesn't provide the seal, it just lubricates the o-ring which provides the seal, so use as tiny an amount as possible. You could probably grease 1,000 o-rings with an ounce of silicone grease, a little goes an extremely long way, don't over do it.

And Apex filters, as previously mentioned, are white. Handy for seeing when someone's rented you an oil contaminated or rusted tank.

 

[Scuba446]

The proper amount of O-ring grease is about the size of a pin head or so, and rub it in-between your two fingers. Then, rub them all on the O-ring and thats it. Just a fine coating, almost like you just rubbed them with Armor All from cars....just enough to make them look 'wet.'

Good luck!

 

[MuddyFox]

 

[Uncle Pug]

... except I would urge you to get some Krytox, Christo lube or other O2 compatible lube (smallest amount you can purchase) and don't use silicone...

A small tube of Krytox can be had for ~$15 and will last you for a loooooooong time.