Oceanic 1st Problems

[jl5619718]

Anyone else having problems with their Oceanic (CDX5DVT) 1st stages mysteriously increasing its IP pressure?

Several times now I have had problems with free flowing regulators that were traced back to the IP pressure climbing to over 200 psi. The most recent was 2 weeks after being serviced. My LDS suggested equipment just goes bad and maybe it was time to replace my 5 year old 1st stage. If I have to buy a new 1st stage it won't be an Oceanic.

Any experiences like this or suggestions?

Thanks,
JL

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Who did the service? I'll check my service manual when I get home but I've not heard of this. I have two cdx5's that are over 6 years old. I service them myself and have nevr run into this problem. I'd suggest you get ahold of Dive Right In Scuba in your neck of the woods and talk to their tech. IF you take them there have them get rid of the dvt as well, it is not needed and is a gimmick for those who are lax with caring for their regs. The IP creep sounds to me like not all the parts that should be replaced at annual were. That 1st is one of the easiest diaphragms to service and is very straightforward in what needs to be done.

The only reason I am replacing mine is even as a factory Oceanic tech I do not work for a shop and they will not sell me kits directly. Otherwise I'd have no problem keeping them. Your shop suggesting equipment just goes bad is a sign to run away from them as fast as possible. Equipment that is 5 years old does not just go bad. What more often happens is their bottom line does and requires a cash infusion and a reg is a nice shot in the arm.

 

[keyshunter]

jl,
FIND ANOTHER DIVE SHOP. regs do not "go bad." It sounds like your reg was not properly serviced., AND that your LDS is trying to hoodwink you into buying another reg.

Note: several years ago Oceanic had a recall on high pressure seats in both regs and service kits. I had one of these CDX-5's, and the IP acted just as you described. All regs AND service kits within a particular range were recalled so that these bad seats could be replaced. It is possible that 1 of these seats was not returned and was used in your reg.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

jl,
FIND ANOTHER DIVE SHOP. regs do not "go bad." It sounds like your reg was not properly serviced., AND that your LDS is trying to hoodwink you into buying another reg.

Note: several years ago Oceanic had a recall on high pressure seats in both regs and service kits. I had one of these CDX-5's, and the IP acted just as you described. All regs AND service kits within a particular range were recalled so that these bad seats could be replaced. It is possible that 1 of these seats was not returned and was used in your reg.

I forgot about that issue. But you are correct. Those seats though should have all gone back. That was over three years ago as I recall. Good catch keyshunter.

 

[redacted]

Regulator do not just go bad. Problems like you describe have a cause and it is almost always repairable. You may want to communicate directly with Oceanic.

Dive shops, OTOH, do go bad. And it sounds like yours may be one of the bad ones. I suspect that they have performed a deficient service and now they are trying to profit from it further by selling you a replacement regulator. If you really think you have a good shop then talk to the owner about this problem and see if he can get it fixed or explained adequately.

 

[keyshunter]

I forgot about that issue. But you are correct. Those seats though should have all gone back. That was over three years ago as I recall. Good catch keyshunter.

Jim,
It was during the transition period when Oceanic was dumping their non-DVT regs to dealers at very attractive prices. I believe that the GT-3 CDX5 that I bought cost the shop $125. I sold that reg shortly after the recall, but if I were going to buy an Oceanic reg today, I would insist on a non-DVT version. IMO the DVT is nothing but an unnecessary, and problematic sales gimmick.

 

[acrofrag]

I have three DVT regs and have to agree. Seeing the rentals at the LDS, most of the DVT valves have corroded springs. The valve ends up always open (in the dozen or so I have seen, hopefully not infinitely closed!). If DVT really worked, how did the springs corrode? Unless there is a whole club of people here holding the DVT open underwater!

 

[tfsails]

Specifically, the OP's problem is that air is leaking past the HP orifice and the HP poppet. This is a very easy fix; probably all you need is a new poppet, which is included in the service kit. There is the slim possibility that the HP orifice has an imperfection in its knife edge, but that would be very rare.

OP--your dive shop gave you some terrible advice, designed to separate you from your money when it is not indicated. RUN, don't walk, away from that shop. If you can't find another Oceanic dealer, go to an Aeris dealer. The CDX5 DVT is identical to the Aeris AT-400 DVT except for the nameplate. An Aeris parts kit will fit perfectly in your reg, and it should not have any IP creep at all when it's serviced properly.

 

[Couv]

See this recall notice in the Oceanic Forum:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/oceanic/207659-oceanic-regulator-first-stage-recall-retrofit.html

Whilst you're there, consider mentioning to Doug Krause what your LDS said. I'd be interested in his reply.

 

[jl5619718]

Thanks Everyone, you have pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. I do remember the recall and know I brought it in for that.

Time to bring it to another LDS.