New Regs

[MurkyRockDiver]

I tried to search to see if this had been asked before but could not find it so here goes.

I have a new set of regs and I was under the impression I had to have them pressure tested for 24 hrs before use but a friend says you can use them right out of the box? Can I or is it prudent to have them tested by my LDS, these are new from Aqua Lung and not used.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Red_5]

I wouldn't think any sort of testing to that extreeme would be needed.

the LDS I bought my LX ACD from didn't mention anything about that.. they put it together and did some tests, but it was ready in an hour (they were busy).

 

[Couv]

I tried to search to see if this had been asked before but could not find it so here goes.

I have a new set of regs and I was under the impression I had to have them pressure tested for 24 hrs before use but a friend says you can use them right out of the box? Can I or is it prudent to have them tested by my LDS, these are new from Aqua Lung and not used.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi MurkyRockDiver,

The dive shop where you bought the regulator should have tested it prior to selling it to you and would probably be more than happy to check it for you on the spot for free. But, allow me to paste this info from a post I made a while back that should be helpful for new as well as regulators that have been in service.

There are a few checks that everyone is capable of doing. One is the intermediate pressure check. Get a simple 300 psi pressure gage from Ace Hardware (I like the helpful hardware man better that the giant store types) and adapt it to your inflator quick disconnect http://www.diveriteexpress.com/regs/hoses.shtml. Find out the what the IP range should be for your regulator (most are ~ 135 +/- 10 psi). Note that the pressure should be steady...not creep up.

Another check is the cracking pressure of each second stage. Make a simple manometer from some plastic tubing and a yard stick http://www.komar.org/faq/manometer/ or even easier, fill your kitchen sink and immerse the regulator with the mouth piece up and see if it begins to flow before the diaphragm gets more than a couple of inches deep. You may have to put plastic tubing in place of the mouth piece to do this.

Finally, a water tight check is also very easy to perform. Hook the first stage up to a tank and without turning on the air (if you have a good tight dust cap you can use that instead) draw a breath until you hear the second stage diaphragm retract. Will the reg hold vacuum? If so, it is probably water tight and vv.

These simple checks can be done by anyone. They should be done often, not to mention when new out of the box or after shop service.

Check early, check often.....keep us posted.

http://www.airspeedpress.com/ and http://www.scubatools.com/ have great books on understanding regulators and service.

couv

 

[Jim Lapenta]

If they are new top of the line regs you must send them to me immediately. I have my PADI reg tester specialty and am required to try them. Just to be sure, 24 hours is incorrect! It is much longer than that. I'll send em back as soon as I get another set to test.

 

[jscott099]

Your shop should at least put them on the bench pressure tester and check them out. But I've never heard of 24 hours. My shop sells to open water students and after they pressure check them, I allow them to put them on their tanks and use them in the pool during confined water classes.

 

[MurkyRockDiver]

Thanks for the replys. I tool them in to the LDS today and they did as you all said. They pressure checked them while I waited and all was fine. Not sure where I got the 24hr info to .

I bought the regs while on a trip away and saved a bunch of cash so was a little conserned the LDS would be put out, they did ask what I payed for them and when told they said I got them below MSRP and that was not right.:no

I am not complaining though.