Nitrox conversion for old US Divers Reg?

[DrSteve]

Hi All,

I have an older US Divers reg. I am not sure the model but I describe it as looking like a luna landing module (it looks very similar to the Conshelf XIV) My LDS said it was not possible to convert this reg to nitrox compatible. Can anyone confirm this? I've seen inside the reg and it's no different to any other, fluid, o rings, springs etc., Any or all of which should be potentially replacable to make the reg nitrox compatible.

Thanks!

 

[scubamate]

Try another LDS, Although I'm not real familiar USD equipment the O2 cleaning isn't that difficult, and you use orings and lubes that are O2 compatible. You can also contact USD for their opinion.

 

[Randy43068]

Not much will be required for you to use your regulator with nitrox. The seals may reach end of life a little early so replace them more often.

You won't need to have it O2 Clean becase it won't (or shouldn't be) exposed to 100 percent oxygen.

Hope this helps.

Randy

Hi All,

I have an older US Divers reg. I am not sure the model but I describe it as looking like a luna landing module (it looks very similar to the Conshelf XIV) My LDS said it was not possible to convert this reg to nitrox compatible. Can anyone confirm this? I've seen inside the reg and it's no different to any other, fluid, o rings, springs etc., Any or all of which should be potentially replacable to make the reg nitrox compatible.

Thanks!

 

[Randy43068]

Actually there is no such thing as a nitrox compatable regulator. It's a sales gimmick to sell more regulators.

While it's true that in theory older type of 'O' rings may not last as long being exposed to a higher concentration of oxygen, you may not even notice if you have your reg. serviced each year.

 

[MikeC]

At one point, maybe 1994 US Divers/AquaLung said that their gear was NOT NITROX compatible . I saw a fax from them at the LDS I bought my gear from. That shop went under in 1996, so I can't call and get a copy of it.

US Divers said that the flow of o2 should not be made to make more then 90 degrees of bends/turns in the first stage. I'm working off of memory guys, so I may have some data wrong BUT they said that there was no way to make the gear safe with higher o2 gases. Maybe it was the lawyers being paranoid with a new concept, remember PADI back then??

 

[Randy43068]

At one point, maybe 1994 US Divers/AquaLung said that their gear was NOT NITROX compatible . I saw a fax from them at the LDS I bought my gear from. That shop went under in 1996, so I can't call and get a copy of it.

US Divers said that the flow of o2 should not be made to make more then 90 degrees of bends/turns in the first stage. I'm working off of memory guys, so I may have some data wrong BUT they said that there was no way to make the gear safe with higher o2 gases. Maybe it was the lawyers being paranoid with a new concept, remember PADI back then??

they're talking about bend angles and such they're most likely talking about high concentrations of oxygen. NITROX typically doesn't fall into that category.

Not too many years ago, NITROX was considered some sort of Voodoo gas so perhaps someone at USD had that in mind when they wrote that communication in 1996.

Ask yourself what makes up NITROX. It's a little more oxygen replacing nitrogen... that's all. It’s not magic.

As far as a regulator is concerned, it's not a big deal. For a tank, however, it could be. A scuba tank designated for NITROX could very well be exposed to 100% oxygen. Anything that is exposed to 100 percent O2 has to be free of carbon based materials or there is a risk of fire or explosion.


Randy

 

[MikeC]

Randy, as I said the fax I saw was from the "vodoo days". Now, if the LDS in question has this document can he clean a reg/ 1st stage that is listed on the fax without putting himself into legal jeopardy? Unless US Divers has issued another communication canceling the first document I bet your lawyer would tell you that you are nuts to do the work, if you were that LDS.

We all know that 99.99999% of the time NOTHING will happen, but do you want to risk your backside and house on what you think versus what the manufacturer says???

 

[scubamate]

Randy pretty much hit it but you should contact USD for their opinion. Specifically ask why it can't be used and don't settle for an answer like "because, that is our stand on this." Get specifics.

 

[MikeC]

E-mail being sent to Aqualung USA.

 

[Randy43068]

Randy, as I said the fax I saw was from the "vodoo days". Now, if the LDS in question has this document can he clean a reg/ 1st stage that is listed on the fax without putting himself into legal jeopardy? Unless US Divers has issued another communication canceling the first document I bet your lawyer would tell you that you are nuts to do the work, if you were that LDS.

We all know that 99.99999% of the time NOTHING will happen, but do you want to risk your backside and house on what you think versus what the manufacturer says???

You make a good point. IMHO you can use your regulator as it is. Your LDS doesn't have to do anything special. Just use it as it is. I have an old SE2 that I use with NITROX.