Nitrox Compatible Lube Sources and the Necessity of Using for Ambient Chamber

[snowdog61]

Bought a 2 oz syringe of the Cristo-lube MCG111 way back in 2017 for $37 via Ebay. Ran out yesterday filling the ambient chamber in the wife's T1x and was shocked to see the latest prices. That got me to questioning the actual need for it in that chamber since it doesn't see any gas and is only a space filler. That 2 oz syringe lasted me over a dozen rebuilds until I got the Atomics and their voluminous void they want filled. Seems generic silicone grease would suffice there, saving the expensive stuff for the internals. Anyone have a source for Cristo-lube and thoughts on using something other then that for the environmental space? Seems $45/oz is a going rate. thanks

 

[Mobulai]

Something I read previously (in old threads) researching for packing piston regs with lube (haven’t done it myself yet)
Tribolube sixty something (66 IIRC) is cheaper than 71 (the 71 is closer to christolube 111)
It’s less fit for lubrication purposes (oring wise) but more fit for filling ambient chambers

I’d personally not use silicone even if it’s a non o2 clean reg not to cause any cross contamination (at a fill station for example)
If you use silicone already for one, just use it for both functions, any cristo would be redundant/superfluous once silicone is in the mix

I believe usage of silicone provides a different IP (higher?) as well than crito/Tribolube; something to do with the density/viscosity (as if you’re using a stronger spring)

Maybe @rsingler can shed some more light on this

 

[iain/hsm]

Bought a 2 oz syringe of the Cristo-lube MCG111 way back in 2017 for $37 via Ebay.
shocked to see the latest prices.

I bought a ham sandwich in 2017 was shocked to see the latest price now.

 

[lowwall]

I bought a ham sandwich in 2017 was shocked to see the latest price now.

I bought a diaphragm reg in 2002. Still on my first tube of Cristolube.

 

[iain/hsm]

I bought a diaphragm reg in 2002. Still on my first tube of Cristolube.

Should have bought two they last longer

 

[lowwall]

Should have bought two they last longer

I did buy two. One for me and one for my wife. And a few others since because of kids and ... "Ooh look shiny thing."

Or were we talking about ham sandwiches? Two of those technically last longer than one, but only if we are counting in minutes.

 

[happy-diver]

I use piston regs, filled one once with silicone, what does it do, makes a mess and you're less likely to work on it

You know, quick refurb


If then the book says to use expensive stuff, I would say to scrape the fat from your ham, making your sandwich

and go ahead, use that


Just more, dumb ideas


And who is using 100% o2 anyway, maybe read some different books, read them twice, maybe more than twice

 

[snowdog61]

Funny stuff guys - had to check and see if I was posting in Scubadivers Uncensored...

Yes, previous regs were all diaphragms (Zeagles & a MK16). The two Atomic T1Xs though are lube whores.

So what are you guys using to fill the chambers on your piston regs for nitrox use?

 

[davehicks]

Funny stuff guys - had to check and see if I was posting in Scubadivers Uncensored...

Yes, previous regs were all diaphragms (Zeagles & a MK16). The two Atomic T1Xs though are lube whores.

So what are you guys using to fill the chambers on your piston regs for nitrox use?

Have you tried Spam? It's a spreadable ham, but I don't know how well it works in a syringe.

 

[Geo7]

There are options, and Tribolube is cheaper than Christolube. Notice there are thicker lubes for static o-rings and thinner ones for dynamic o-rings (such as those on pistons and poppets). The thinner lubes are a better lubricant and thus allow e.g. a 1st stage piston to move and react quicker. Scubapro said that Christolube improved IP stability compared to silicone.

-Silicone (Dow Corning 111, or Molykote) is more hydrophobic and sticky. As pointed out above, not O2-proof, and the cross-contamination argument is a good one, so I avoid silicone at the moment.

-Krytox GPL-205 has similar hydrophobic properties (but nothing comes close to silicone) for applications where you want something sticky to prevent corrosion (it is O2-proof). I am using this on my SPG swivels as the Tribolube might get washed out quicker.

-Tribolube 71 and Christolube MCG111 are designed to be better lubricants for dynamic o-rings (e.g. pistons and poppets).

-Tribolube 66 and Christolube MCG129 are a bit thicker and used for static o-ring applications. Tribolube 66 is cheapest and approved to fill the environmental chamber.