makincontrails
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Happy New Year everyone!! Hey, I've bought a few new, old stock regulators lately, anybody have any ideas on whether I should go ahead and service them anyway before use or not? thanx!
New...Old Stock...
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It depends on if you bought them from a dealer or an individual. If you bought them from an individual, I would definitely have an authorized dealer inspect the regs. If you bought them from a good, reputable dealer, they should have tested and bench checked the regulators as part of the assembly process. It only takes a couple of minutes for a tech to check the 2nd stage poppets. The 1st stage seat may take a little longer, depending on the model. The dealer should be able to inspect them and advise you accordingly.
Inside each regulator is a plastic or Teflon poppet or seat that is held against a metal orifice under spring pressure. Over time, the edge of the orifice will press or cut a groove into the seat. Bench testing will indicate the need for service. Physical inspection gives conclusive evidence.
Additionally, each stage of the regulator has several o-rings. The o-rings can flatten out over time and may not seal properly. Again, physical inspection will determine the need to replace them. Of course, factory service procedures will dictate that certain o-rings be replaced anytime the regulator is serviced.
The safest option is to have the regs serviced. Depending on where you are at, it may cost $100.00 per reg, but you have the peace of mind knowing that the working parts of the reg are like new.
Inside each regulator is a plastic or Teflon poppet or seat that is held against a metal orifice under spring pressure. Over time, the edge of the orifice will press or cut a groove into the seat. Bench testing will indicate the need for service. Physical inspection gives conclusive evidence.
Additionally, each stage of the regulator has several o-rings. The o-rings can flatten out over time and may not seal properly. Again, physical inspection will determine the need to replace them. Of course, factory service procedures will dictate that certain o-rings be replaced anytime the regulator is serviced.
The safest option is to have the regs serviced. Depending on where you are at, it may cost $100.00 per reg, but you have the peace of mind knowing that the working parts of the reg are like new.
Tigerman
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If its truely NOS, it shouldnt be assembled untill you bought them (if then) and the "servicing" should have been done at this point..
However, if they where already assembled id have them checked (and complained to the seller about the fact that theyre not NOS as soon as theire removed from the original packaging)
However, if they where already assembled id have them checked (and complained to the seller about the fact that theyre not NOS as soon as theire removed from the original packaging)
RonFrank
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How old is new old stock?
New regulators should not need service. If they are 5 years old, that is old enough that new seals and orings maybe required. If they are a year old or so, they should not require service.
R
redacted
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Do you think that is too high?
It sounds about right to me. $20 per stage for labor and $40 for parts might be a bargain for many divers. You could apply for a thechs job at your LDS but you probably should not expect to see more than $15 to $25 of that $100 charge to the customer.
OP - If they look and feel good and IP and cracking pressure are in spec, I'd dive them. Perhaps a little conservatively at first. Sure o-rings go bad with age and may take a set (flatten) but they are pretty resilient little things. If there is a problem with old o-rings, it should show up as a slight leak that should be the sigmnal for service.
OP
makincontrails
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THANX TO ALL YOU GOOD PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE TIME AND EFFORT TO PROVIDE VERY NICE THOUGHTFUL REPLIES TO MY QUESTION.........."contrails
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makincontrails
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Anybody have any ideas or suggestions/opinions on Pennekamp? Ive always wanted to dive there and Roatan. Thanx!......... any info wld be appreciated!
diver 85
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Be sure & get to Roatan sometime.........we've owned there since '94--Sundancer unit 1-B(see below)...great diving & a nice place to visit....good luck.......
This is one of those questions nobody can answer but you to give you peace of mind. Just because a reg sat in a shop for an extended period doesnt mean its cause for concern.
Take a reg that was built from newly manufactured parts, sat in a warehouse for two years then sat at a shop for two years. Is it going to be any different than a reg that was built from two year old parts, spent less than a week in the warehouse then sat in the shop for two years? Or what about being built with two year old parts, spent four years in the warehouse and delivered to a shop as a special order for you that you picked up the day it arrived.
Wouldnt the special order one that you received on the day it arrived at the shop be the oldest one and therefore need the most concern?
Gary D.
Take a reg that was built from newly manufactured parts, sat in a warehouse for two years then sat at a shop for two years. Is it going to be any different than a reg that was built from two year old parts, spent less than a week in the warehouse then sat in the shop for two years? Or what about being built with two year old parts, spent four years in the warehouse and delivered to a shop as a special order for you that you picked up the day it arrived.
Wouldnt the special order one that you received on the day it arrived at the shop be the oldest one and therefore need the most concern?
Gary D.
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