Old Reg, Octo, & SPG.. Nitrox compatible?

[SCU5]

Hi All,

I have an old reg setup that I bought in the mid 90's, around 1994 I think. It is a US Divers Aqualung Select regulator, pivot spg, and their standard yellow octopus. The gear only has a few dives on it and for various reasons, has remained largely unused for the last 13 years.

I have a couple questions:
1) Is this setup ok by modern standards and is it capable of running recreational amounts of nitrox (<40%)?
2) I'm thinking about getting a new first/second stage reg set and keeping the spg and octo. In this case, ok for recreational nitrox and a decent dive kit?
3) Dump the whole thing and buy new?

Thank you in advance for your comments!

ps: would have everything inspected before doing any diving with it of course!

 

[Scared Silly]

I am not familiar with this particular reg but I believe parts are available. As such, once the reg has been overhauled it will be fine for nitrox. As for keeping or dumping before servicing it I would see what the cost difference is between the two. A major overhaul could get expensive may be $100 for everything. Which means that if you decide to later sell it you will basically get your money back on the overhaul but not a huge amount more given its age. Of course a new reg will set you back some coin.

My advise is take it into one of your local shops who is an Aqualung dealer and see what they say about the service.

 

[herman]

Any of the above. Myself, I would have it rebuilt and dive it. Normal nitrox mixtures are not really a problem with standard Orings esp if you get it rebuilt every year or 2. If your doing tech with high O2 mixtures that's a different matter. I did have to laugh about it being "old"...got several late 50's and to mid 60 regs laying on the bench now. All of which will see quarry duty this summer.

 

[Gilldiver]

The O-ring thing is blown way out of proportion for any percent of O2. The idea is that non-viton O-rings will be more resistant to high O2 then standard O-rings and this is true - for long term exposure. But only the Valve to tank O-ring ever sees more then a few 10's of hour exposure to such levels. Even a valve stem O-ring will only see high O2 % when the valve is open. For a diver doing 3 trips per year and 10-12 dives each trip, the reg may only see about 30-50 hours of above 21% exposure. This is well under any level you need to worry about.

But you do want a good condition and well maintained reg, it is your life support equipment, Have it overhauled every year or every 100 to 150 dives whichever comes first. Make sure they use O2 lubricants and clean the reg - which is SOP now for just about every quality shop/tech that I know.

Also, here is something to think about, with UPS or FedEx shipping your repair dive shop is anywhere in the world. If you trust a shop or tech that is in CA and you are in NY, send it to who you trust.

 

[garyfotodiver]

My USD regulators are from 1994 or so. They do fine witht the EAN 32 that I sometimes use. Just get your setup serviced.

 

[guadeira70]

Hello JimmyTarot,


You can use your old US Diver and others regs with nitrox (<40% only). In France it is authorized, and there is no danger under 40 oxygen percent.

Have a grea day


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