Overhauling regulators

[The Chairman]

most divers are cool and are not looking for a free hand-out. Most of them would rather not have to deal with a lawyer at all.

 

[ranger]

Hey Rat!!

Where did you get the APEKS rebuild kits?
Thanks

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Diveinn carries a kit. cant' find the link to that other site in europe.

Ed

 

[ABQdiver]

Hello,

Diveinn carries a kit. cant' find the link to that other site in europe.

Ed

These guys have them.

 

[ranger]

Would it be possible for me to get a copy of your APEKS CD/
Thanks

 

[RiverRat]

Would it be possible for me to get a copy of your APEKS CD/
Thanks

PM me with specifically what you're looking for and I can send it to you.

 

[KVDIVR]

Wow! I really need to get out more........ I guess we do things a little different around my shop. EVERY customer gets their replaced parts - sealed in the bag the new parts came in. They get a written report of the condition of the reg when it came in, what I did to it and, if necessary, a primer on how to avoid the repair that was required (if they caused it.) I also don't work on any equipment I'm not factory authorized to repair. I'll give you the name and number of the nearest local serviceman or ship it off for you if you want.

The liability these other folks are taking on scares the crap out of me...........

Todd

I am with you Todd. I have been a tech 15yrs with continuing education. We also give back old parts as well a report on the work done. Some of the stuff that comes in the shop is pretty scary. I often call up a customer when I get inside the unit and go over out of the ordinary issues I come across inside (like really bad salt corosion) and in some cases have them come down for a look see. We also give tips on better care especially with rinsing after salt water diving. As far as customers repairing their own gear? Bad idea. Most people would do a better job on their buddys gear, than on their own. I have highly repair qualified friends that do deep trimix diving that would rather trust me to do their regs. I would never give anyone a reg to use that I would not let my own family dive with. Just like every other business, to many hacks looking to make a quick buck and sacrificing safety to do so.
Dive safe
Kvdivr

 

[RiverRat]

As far as customers repairing their own gear? Bad idea. Most people would do a better job on their buddys gear, than on their own.
Kvdivr

I agree most divers (recreational anyway) have neither the skill nor desire to service their own regs, but what do you mean "most people would do a better job on their buddys gear, than on their own"? When I work on my own gear I strive for nothing less than perfection, and would expect the same from a hired tech.

Just like every other business, too many hacks looking to make a quick buck and sacrificing safety to do so.
Kvdivr

OK, so if there ARE that many hacks out there, why would I hire someone and PAY them to make my life miserable and possibly kill me? No wonder I'm paranoid about someone servicing my regs. No thanks, I have the parts, the schematics, a training CD, the tools and the desire to live..........

 

[Genesis]

I'll trust some tech with my regs as soon as he/she is willing to take my place on the bottom in 200' of water and die for me if they screw up.

Since that physical transposition is impossible, I will accept their complete and utter ruin personally and financially in its place.

Funny how you can't get someone who's interested in that deal...... other than you, of course. You, doing your own, inherently accept that transaction.

That's the best guarantee I know of that the work was done right and was properly tested.

 

[GDI]

I think the first and foremost thing thought to keep in mind is to get to know the person you are handing your gear to for service. Take a look around the shop. If it's untidy and unorganized, the repair area is a mess, and the person you are giving your gear to isn't exactly "all there", then it's a good bet he's handling your gear exactly like what you see around you.

One of the things I promote when I'm doing my Reg Repair Seminars is the use of the repair guides. I got this from my time as an Aircraft Mechanic/technician in the Air Force and as an A&P mechanic after that. You may not need to read word for word what is needed to do your task, but have it available and open for use as needed to refer to. (The other advantage is if some silly bothersome QA or FAA inspector asks you a dumb-assed question you don't have to look foolish bumbling around for the answer.)

Same thought goes to the reg repair. You don't have to bumble around looking for the answer when something comes up. It's right there.

I also try to get them to understand the importance of working on ONE reg at a time, and to organize their parts as they go. Don't just make an "old pile" and a "new pile". Disassemble the unit. Inspect it and it's parts. Clean it, including the plastic and non-replaced rubber parts, THEN reassemble it all at once.

If more technicians were like that, your thoughts wouldn't be as valid as they are nor a concern.

On the other side of the coin, that's not to say ALL technicians and dive shops are bad. I've seen many very impressive repair rooms and technicians as I wander the country.

Regardless of how frequent the tech may service some reg designs he should have the tech manual there with him/her. Also the reg should never be completely disassmbled all at once. The first step is to test the reg before any work is started. Them the tech should for example only do the first stage and confirm that it is functioning after reassembly then do the second stage. If the tech is questionable on the 2nd stage then switch it out with a known good one, Same make preferrably, to test the operation of the 1st stage. The tech can also just plug the 2nd stage ports if required. Once the 1st stage is set up then do the overhaul on the 2nd and then the alternate and then the SPG o'rings.. Ask also if the tech is qualified on that model of reg. Ask to see his/her certificate for that reg repair.