O2 REG...dedicated?

[beachhead]

So, is it okay to use a non green (standard) DS4/atx50 for O2?

 

[nadwidny]

So, is it okay to use a non green (standard) DS4/atx50 for O2?

And if I say "yes" are you going to believe me just because I say so?

I know why I do what I do. You need to get educated and make up your own mind. Start with Oxygen Hackers Companion ( Airspeed Press Homepage - Books For Serious Divers ). Ignore anything that you hear from the manufacturers. Do some searches here and on Decostop.

 

[limeyx]

So, is it okay to use a non green (standard) DS4/atx50 for O2?

according to the manufacturer specs, no. The way they are shipped is good to 100%.

Some people claim that they are actually good to 100% as shipped, but I dont think apeks guarantee this.

Having said that, I do use that setup for 100%. I have the regs O2 cleaned every year when I get them serviced. I do not send them to Apeks for O2 cleaning, just to the dive store (total cost is something like $120 for 1/st and 2nd)

I am not paranoid about how I handle the regs after O2 cleaning, just rinse and store as normal. I think plenty of people do the same thing.

The airspeed book is a good one to read.

I think it's possible to take "O2 clean" to crazy limits, and then you'd essentially never be able to use the reg except in the "clean room" if you get paranoid enough.

Take reasonable precautions, and a lot of people don't have problems.

 

[CompuDude]

Aqualung and Apeks make regulators prepared for oxygen in thier "clean room". These regulators are the Calypso O2 and the Apeks XTX40/DS4. Each will come sealed in a plastic bag and certified oxygen clean when purchased.

Remember that Aqualung sells to the military and they have strict oxygen service rules. As such they have invested in the specific tools and methods for a documented oxygen service.

The XTX50 is not an oxygen service reg out of the box but a qualified technican can clean one for you and it will be fine. However if you do send it to Aqualungs facility for cleaning it will come with a $200 price tag. This is no different than sending any part to a lab for oxygen cleaning.

IF you are in need of a regulator just for oxygen the Calypso O2 is an outstanding product for this. We use them on all our oxygen cylinders and on nothing else. And they are reasonably priced in the $300 or so range. The XTX40/ds4 O2 is in the $600 range.

Cheers

Three questions:

1) I take it you consider the Calypso O2 to be a good reg for deco bottles? (say 50/50 @ 70 fsw, and/or 100% @ 20 fsw)
2) Is there any difference worth mentioning between the Calypso O2 and the regular Calypso other than price, cosmetics, and an O2 cleaning?
3) If the answer to Question 2 is "no", do you see any problem with getting a regular Calypso and having it o2 cleaned, and using that instead of the o2 version?

 

[lamont]

do you need special O2 clean masks to be able to clear your mask while on O2?

someone should really make a mask that takes an LP inflator hose so that you could hook up backgas to your mask and be able to clear it on deco stops without exhaling nearly pure O2 into it -- somebody out there would buy it...

 

[RTodd]

do you need special O2 clean masks to be able to clear your mask while on O2?

someone should really make a mask that takes an LP inflator hose so that you could hook up backgas to your mask and be able to clear it on deco stops without exhaling nearly pure O2 into it -- somebody out there would buy it...

Great idea lamont. Since tanks actually cool down when discharging gas, the gas heated by your body is probably a much higher risk. For those actually worried about this, research how 02 increases fire risk and then decide if it matters on a regulator.

 

[MonkSeal]

I do not send them to Apeks for O2 cleaning, just to the dive store (total cost is something like $120 for 1/st and 2nd).

This seams pretty expensive. Having a dozen regs to be serviced every year - this would be costly. Isn't it easier to buy some cristo-lube and servicing kits (or find correct o-rings) and to do it by yourself?

 

[limeyx]

This seams pretty expensive. Having a dozen regs to be serviced every year - this would be costly. Isn't it easier to buy some cristo-lube and servicing kits (or find correct o-rings) and to do it by yourself?

Yes, $-wise it would be cheaper.

However,
1) I am quite mechanically challenged, so I wouldn't really want to trust anything I serviced myself
2) I can make more money doing the job I am paid professionally for than cleaning tanks/regs

Having said that, I did just get a stage reg back with an internal O-ring that became sliced within a month of service, and had to "pay again"

Also, if I had bought the regs with a USA warranty, the price would probably be 30-40% less.

 

[MonkSeal]

2) I can make more money doing the job I am paid professionally for than cleaning tanks/regs

This is quite good argument but I do it for fun (as I dive for fun) and as education for my kids.

 

[RTodd]

Yes, $-wise it would be cheaper.

However,
1) I am quite mechanically challenged, so I wouldn't really want to trust anything I serviced myself
2) I can make more money doing the job I am paid professionally for than cleaning tanks/regs

Having said that, I did just get a stage reg back with an internal O-ring that became sliced within a month of service, and had to "pay again"

Also, if I had bought the regs with a USA warranty, the price would probably be 30-40% less.

If you have enough regs you should be able to negotiate a better bulk rate. I am a bit mechanically disinclined myself, but do have the dive shop monkey experience and training to overhaul them. I still don't bother. Not worth my time. But, I am cheap enough to negotiate service costs. $15 a stage (1st or 2nd) plus parts at a reasonable price should be a fair deal for everyone. The warranties are, IMHO, a scam since once you have enough regs they get serviced based on use not some arbitrary once a year timeframe.