out of breath underwater

[Bob3]

You guessed correctly on the filter, that's where it's hiding.
One of the posters here on the board (Oxyhacker)is an outstanding author that has put out several books on messing with your own gear, etc. Well worth the look.
http://www.airspeedpress.com

...ever heard of the oceanic dx4 with the enviro kit on it freezing?

ANY reg can freeze, tho usually not 'till the water gets below 40°f, or in the case of environmentaly sealed regs, below 32°f. Both salt and fresh water can get to 28°f if it's moving.
At 70°f you have a heck of a ways to go.

 

[Sgt Nitrox]

I am starting to think this has all happened by chance. THe past 2 days I have felt like I have the flu. I find myself having to take a deep breath evey few breaths. Which would explain the problems in the living seas Tuesday night... However I am waiting to get the reg back and since I have some time on my hands I am going to clean out the tanks. I read on another post all I need is some simple green for the tanks and boil the valves in some TSP(Tri Sodium Phosphate) and put it all back together with cristo lube. And o2 safe o rings. Can one buy Cristo lube some place other than a dive shop?
Thanks,
SGT Nitrox

 

[MikeFerrara]

Don't clean your tank and let some blender pump in O2 thinking it is O2 clean.

O2 cleaning and tank inspection isn't rocket science but the net isn't where we learn to do it.

 

[chickdiver]

Before you start O2 cleaning your own stuff, pick up some good literature. the Oxygen Hackers Guide from airspeed press is a great place to start.

 

[Sgt Nitrox]

Update...
I just got my regs back from service. the tech told me there was some junk in my inlet valve cone. Hopefully this has solved my problem. Another question is how much should one pay for tank cleaning?
Thanks to all who posted replies. Who ever said check the inlet valve may have hit the nail on the head. I hope to dive the reg this weekend so we will know if that solved the problem....
Cheers,
SGT Nitrox

 

[Hallmac]

MY LDS O2 cleans tank and valve for 22.00$ Don't know what everyone else charges though.

Hallmac

 

[Scubamedicjoe]

Update...
I just got my regs back from service. the tech told me there was some junk in my inlet valve cone. Hopefully this has solved my problem. Another question is how much should one pay for tank cleaning?
Thanks to all who posted replies. Who ever said check the inlet valve may have hit the nail on the head. I hope to dive the reg this weekend so we will know if that solved the problem....
Cheers,
SGT Nitrox

first try your regultor out in a pool first to see if any promblems might save some embarrassment out on a dive I have seen many who just had theres serviced only on there first dive something goes wrong , just fuel for thought !!!!!!

 

[Sgt Nitrox]

Good idea Medic.

 

[pescador775]

Neat handle! Please let us know what the tank inspection shows. I have used rusty tanks with no problem; I mean, you could remove the valve and bounce them on the floor and a teaspoon of powder would fall out, but I've never seen any rust in my regulator filter. I've heard about it but not seen it.

Sometimes a filter will turn green from the little bit of salt on the dust cap. I'm careful to dry the cap before replacing. I also blow air through the yoke valve to displace any water. The yoke is easy than DIN to clean this way. Anyhoo, I use muriatic acid to do a quick clean on a filter screen. A new one is cheap though.

Most people use detergent to clean a tank. They put in the suds along with some marbles and roll the tank around on the lawn. Later, they rinse and insert an air line to blow dry. I use a solvent called 'Ensolv'. No rinsing or drying required. Only a few solvents are non flammable and leave no residue (well, maybe 1-2 ppm). Formerly, I used trichoroethane but that's not available anymore. Trichloroethylene is about to be banned, too. Ensolv is alledgedly non toxic but expensive as all get out. Cheaper to have the dive shop do it but I like to do stuff my own way. (I did it my way--Sinatra).

Pesky

 

[Sgt Nitrox]

I have heard some use simple green or dawn. I thought about the marbles as well. If I can get over this nagging illness I will be at peacock and orange grove sink this weekend, hopefully trying out new X-mas toys and the reg I am going to use in the pool for sure before I go out. Even though the pool we have is only six feet deep, hopefully it will provide some pressure. Have you guys and Gals ever heard of a break in period of o rings after you get your reg serviced? A friend of mine was telling me that it takes about 60 breaths to get the o rings and high pressure seat to "settle" but it is supposed to affect your IP. Any thoughts?
SGT N.