New Diver.....yard sale Regulator?

[herman]

That reg has a long line of great dependable regs behind it, odds are it's a very good find. Don't frett too much about spending another $100-150 on having it serviced because even if you buy it new, it would need almost the same spent on it in a year anyway. You do know regs require annual maintance and that even under warranty, you still pay for the labor.

It will do nicely with nitrox.

 

[Zung]

Beg, steal or borrow a tank, slap it on, SLOWLY turn on the air and see if it works. In the likely case it does, read and go through couv's commandments.

I don't know Mares regs (love their fins), but a balanced diaphragm 1st and a simple downstream 2nd, as the MR12, last a long time and require very little attention. I have a similar Aqualung reg that's 15 years overdue for service, but it still works wonderful; since it's a backup of my backup's, I don't bother.

And btw, if it works, there's no water anywhere in CA cold enough to be a problem.

 

[knowone]

Remember to keep an eye on your glass so when you see it is half full you can make plans to get it refilled.

frogkick

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

As mentioned, Mares MR-12 1st stage is one of the "classics", as is the Aqualung Conshelf. The rebuild parts for the current MR-12 can be used in the older MR-12's.

$20 is a steal, unless it was run over by a steamroller, left soaking in salt water for 7 years, etc. The 2nd stage is a classic, unbalanced downstream design, that I believe just needs 1 o-ring, a nylock nut, and the puck-style soft seat to service (if the diaphragm and exhaust valve are in good shape).

Unless the reg is totally trashed, you've gotten a good deal.

Best wishes.

 

[cperc]

Thanks again. Yes everything is in excellent condition so I will take it down and have it serviced. I just needed a little encouragement since I didn't know anything about the regulator. Thanks again.

-Chris

 

[cperc]

 

[james croft]

The MR12 is a good reg. A Mares dealer can get it going just fine if the advice gave you indicates any problems. Enjoy it. Just because a reg has some years on it does not mean it won't work as well as a new reg.

 

[dougr52]

send it to scubatoys.com, they service regulators for $50 plus parts!!!

 

[Crush]

After you have completed your NASA course on deciphering personal diaries, tap frogkick into your computer machine and you may learn lots of relatively accurate diving things.

WTF difference is there between ebay and a yard sale other than you can't touch WTF you are buying.

cperc, for $20 you can just use it as a paperweight if the reg doesn't check out.

knowone - you really should not post UI/WI. Seriously, pal... It is embarrassing.

 

[EricQ]

This is the reg I use now. It has what I really like---a metal second stage!
However, get the lip on the front cover checked (where it mates with the metal body)--it may crack with age and use.
But from looking at the red paint blob, the cover may never have been off.