o2 clean

[LUBOLD8431]

This is why most manufacturers are recommending to use Christolube for assembly, and they are using EPDM orings. After a Ultrasonic cleaning, you have a reg that is almost ready for O2 service anyways. And, the manufacturers have done sufficient testing to be comfortable with the 40% mark. I dont know why you are getting all upset over this.

 

[AdamHorsman]

This is why most manufacturers are recommending to use Christolube for assembly, and they are using EPDM orings. After a Ultrasonic cleaning, you have a reg that is almost ready for O2 service anyways. And, the manufacturers have done sufficient testing to be comfortable with the 40% mark. I dont know why you are getting all upset over this.

As I a sure you are well aware, this is a big difference between having oxygen compatible products, and being oxygen clean.

Adam

 

[LUBOLD8431]

There is little difference in a normal annual service of a regulator, and O2 cleaning that reg and preparing it for O2 service, especially when you use christolube and EPDM orings in a reg. Especially if you are using the proper cleaning solution in an ultrasonic cleaner. The only difference then, is the handling of the parts and assembly. O2 cleaning is not rocket science. Using the proper cleaning solutions, and proper handling, anyone can do it.

 

[MASS-Diver]

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I understand that, but I'd like to see the justification on the decreased standards for the magical "40%"; and then if Joe Blow, the average dive shop owner, doesn't O2 clean a reg for 36% use, based upon the manufacturers recommendations, and god forbid the 1st stage or valve goes out, it very well could be brought back to you.

If a lawsuit were to arise any good lawyer is going to get the Navy standards, or NASA standards, or ANDI standards, or OSHA standards, out and use them against both the manufacturer, and most likely the person who has been performing the service. Thank you no.

Adam

I've never heard of a single case of a reg blowing at 40%, has anyone? I dive 40% all the time and my regs aren't O2 cleaned. After reading Vince's book, it seems that the 40% number makes sense, above that everything acts likes 100% - but- I don't think there is much danger dealing with 40% or lower from a regulator standpoint.

 

[AdamHorsman]

I've never heard of a single case of a reg blowing at 40%, has anyone? I dive 40% all the time and my regs aren't O2 cleaned. After reading Vince's book, it seems that the 40% number makes sense, above that everything acts likes 100% - but- I don't think there is much danger dealing with 40% or lower from a regulator standpoint.

Persoanally, my primary concern is about ME, when filling tanks. In a similar fashion to poor quality alloys, that is the time a valve is most likely to fail. So, it costs you $30 for an 02 cleaning, or whatever, to almost ensure that it won't be a problem? That seems like money damn well spent to me.


Adam

 

[padiscubapro]

I've never heard of a single case of a reg blowing at 40%, has anyone? I dive 40% all the time and my regs aren't O2 cleaned. After reading Vince's book, it seems that the 40% number makes sense, above that everything acts likes 100% - but- I don't think there is much danger dealing with 40% or lower from a regulator standpoint.

an oxygen fire is not the big concern with lower oxygen concentrations, partial combustion is the big concern. you end up getting a load of co and co2 in your breathing gas.. not a good thing.

in conversations with various manufacturers, the biggest problem they see when regs are claimed for in warranty service is the high pressure seats BURNED.. everything else is ok.. The likely source for this is switching between nitrox and non-oxygen compatible air.. You put a "clean" reg on a regular air tank it is no longer clean... SOme fill stations are worse than others...

its not as big a concern theses days because the majority of regs come from the factory using the right materials and usually fairly free of contaminates, but not guaranted for oxygen service.

Pressuring the regs SLOWLY goes a long way to prevent problems.. I can give you a perfect example.. I have let other instructors use my RB for students, somewhere along the line the oring on the fisrt stage became lost and someone replaced with a burna-n.. I used the RB for a few months with no problems.. I always pressurize the o2 line very slowly.. I gave the RB again to someone else to use for a studnet and the student turned the gas on quickly, the oring vaporized, and burned the valve and reg connection.. luckily thats as far as it went...

 

[MASS-Diver]

Persoanally, my primary concern is about ME, when filling tanks. In a similar fashion to poor quality alloys, that is the time a valve is most likely to fail. So, it costs you $30 for an 02 cleaning, or whatever, to almost ensure that it won't be a problem? That seems like money damn well spent to me.


Adam

Do you fill your own tanks? I don't really understand the context of your point of view? My point was that I don't belive that there is any need to O2 clean valves or regs that will never see O2 concentrations above 40%. I just think don't there is a saftey need for it. I you want to clean them just because it's better (performance, less risk of CO etc), that's fine, but, that's different from talking about fires.

That said, my shop fills slow and I always pressurize my regs nice and slow.

 

[dc4bs]

I found carbon in one of my regs this year when I did the anual service & O2 cleaning...

2 issues:

1: It was the 'newest' reg that I have and I'm guessing that the store I got it at didn't really clean it properly when I bought it even though I was charged for that (based on where and how the charring was distributed, it looked like there was some silicone grease left in the main chamber...).

2: It was used to analize sling tanks because the sling regs don't have low pressure whips that my analyzer needs... Also, it was loaned to other divers on occasion for the same use so it most likely was pressurized too fast, contributing to the problem.

Solutions: I will never loan out my regs to other divers to analize ther tanks again. My budy and I O2 cleaned an old sherwood 1st stage and set it up as a dedicated tank analizer reg. It has an overpressure plug in one port and 2 lp whips with an 'air blower' nozzle on one to depressurize it afterwords.

It doesn't take much room or weight for travel and protects the regs we use underwater in case there are any gass 'issues' during testing. And if it ever does get toasted, there are a few other 'old' regs out in the divegear shed to take it's place (already cleaned as well )...