"Old" and unserviced Equipment Question/Advice - ScubaPro mk20 (or 25) + S600

[samcraig]

Ok - I'm sure some people here would love to scream at me for what I'm about to ask/tell... but if I get (useful) some advice - it will be worth it.

I got certified in 2000 when I lived in Florida. I expected to do more than just vacation diving - so I bought some gear. I bought a ScubaPro mk20 (or 25 - have to double check when I get home) and an S600. I think the alternate air I bought was an aqualung - have to check that too. Didn't buy a dive computer there - but other gauges (compass, depth, pressure). Also the other typical stuff - mask, fins, snorkel, weights.

Anyway - long story short - the 1st/2nd stage, alternate and gauges were never used because shortly after investing in them - I moved to NY and the few times I went diving - it was via a cruise or short trip and didn't want to haul gear.

So now I have these "new regulators" and 2nd stage + gauges and trying to figure out if I service them (about $140 here in NYC) or sell them. I'm inclined to keep them since they are great stuff, right?

I guess I'm asking for piece of mind that even though the regulator was never used and also never serviced in 10 years - that any potential issue will be caught/taken care of by actually doing a full service on them now. Should I have any concerns?

The impetus for asking is - I've just booked an 8 day trip to Cozumel in July and will be diving. Trying to determine if I use their equip or take the newly serviced regulator/gauges....

Also - while I'm at it - my mask straps and some of the silicon has turned a little brown. I've read that this is normal and isn't a problem. Some piece of mind there would be great too.

Thanks!

 

[redacted]

I would inspect that regulator ( http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/346813-regulator-inspection-checklist-rev-7-a.html ) or have it inspected by a good shop with the expectation that there is absolutely no reason to have them serviced. One of the worst things you can do is have a good working regulator serviced just before a trip. It simply creates an opportunity for a problem due to a service error.

 

[Starcruiser]

For my own piece of mind, I'd have them serviced and keep and use them. You've already invested in them to purchase them, no sense buying 'new' again, unless you feel the need to be on the bleeding edge.

 

[samcraig]

Thanks. I think I'll get them serviced. I spoke to three authorized dive shops in the area and all 3 pretty much insisted on a full service since they haven't been used in 10 years (and at all). Of course this means more money for them - but I think it's a small price to pay for piece of mind.

 

[Zung]

I've been in the same situation: '00 last dive trip, put the gear in storage, raised kids, '09 kids certified, pulled the gear out, tested them according to couv's commandments, and carried on diving.

My setup is MK20/G250/AIR2. I took them apart last year, and everything was/is shiny like new inside, not really worth servicing. I replaced the seats of the second stages, but that's only because I'm cautious.

 

[300bar]

You bought them in, or just after 2000.
11 years of no use, that's worse than 11 years of use.
O-rings tend to dry out, when not in use. Get them serviced AND go diving again

 

[Zung]

... O-rings tend to dry out, when not in use...

You'd be surprised: check out my report. I think oil separation in grease such as Christo-Lube does effect lubrification IF the oil gets washed away with use; not so in storage: see the pics.

 

[samcraig]

I've been in the same situation: '00 last dive trip, put the gear in storage, raised kids, '09 kids certified, pulled the gear out, tested them according to couv's commandments, and carried on diving.

My setup is MK20/G250/AIR2. I took them apart last year, and everything was/is shiny like new inside, not really worth servicing. I replaced the seats of the second stages, but that's only because I'm cautious.

Thanks. I'm somewhat tech savvy - but I'll leave this to the professionals I appreciate the info and glad to know I'm not alone in "neglecting" my equipment by not diving for WAY too long!

 

[herman]

Thanks. I think I'll get them serviced. I spoke to three authorized dive shops in the area and all 3 pretty much insisted on a full service since they haven't been used in 10 years (and at all). Of course this means more money for them - but I think it's a small price to pay for piece of mind.

Welcome to the board. If it were me, I would do what aswap suggest in post 2 and dive them, assuming they pass. What I would NOT do is to ever have a reg freshly serviced and take it on a trip. Over the years on this board, the experience of the members suggest that the overall likely hood of failure of a reg is greatest shortly after service, not after a few years of use or non use for that matter. Of course shops are going to insist it needs service, they make money doing it and a lot of divers will tell you it needs it because that is what their LSD (who makes money servicing regs) has told them. Not to pick on 300bar but "dried out, aged orings" is a classic reason shops give. All true but the lifespan of an oring in scuba service (or non use) is a pretty long. My side hobby is restoring old regs from the 60s. You would be surprized at the number of them that still work fine even though they have not been serviced in 20 or more years. Do what makes you feel the most comfortable but at least get in an hour or so in a pool before heading off on a major trip with a freshly serviced reg.

 

[samcraig]

Welcome to the board. If it were me, I would do what aswap suggest in post 2 and dive them, assuming they pass. What I would NOT do is to ever have a reg freshly serviced and take it on a trip. Over the years on this board, the experience of the members suggest that the overall likely hood of failure of a reg is greatest shortly after service, not after a few years of use or non use for that matter. Of course shops are going to insist it needs service, they make money doing it and a lot of divers will tell you it needs it because that is what their LSD (who makes money servicing regs) has told them. Not to pick on 300bar but "dried out, aged orings" is a classic reason shops give. All true but the lifespan of an oring in scuba service (or non use) is a pretty long. My side hobby is restoring old regs from the 60s. You would be surprized at the number of them that still work fine even though they have not been serviced in 20 or more years. Do what makes you feel the most comfortable but at least get in an hour or so in a pool before heading off on a major trip with a freshly serviced reg.

Fair enough. I don't mind servicing and taking along. I'll be able to check it in the pool before dive #1.. and if it fails - I'll just rent like I would have anyway...