Oxygen Cleaned my Reg - why still original O-rings on Hoses?

[Mo2vation]

I sold my BC last week, so I needed to pull off my LP hose and toss it into the box with the BC for my buyer.

I was really surprised to find what looked like the original black O-ring on that hose. I mean, I went through the Oxygen cleaning hoopla for my SSI EAN course, etc. Had my cylinders rolled and cleaned, had my regs cleaned, etc.

Now thinking about it, they never asked for my AirSource... I should have probably had that O2 cleaned, too.

They installed Viton O-rings on my Regs (DIN 1st stage)...I just presumed that the stock black rubber O-rings would be replaced along the entire breathing/gas chain...

I haven't cracked the other hoses off my 1st stage yet to check, mostly because I don't know what I'm looking for.

Am I mental, misguided, did I get ripped off or just a victim of a bad / non-thorough O2 cleaning by my LDS?

My head hurt.


Ken

 

[D.I.R.Lizard]

Ken~
I am not saying that they did not, get you by not doing a thorough job. But, the black o-rings are fine to use. We do it (dive buddies) all of the time.

Apparently the black (standard) o-rings wear out quicker when using O2 lube and/or the high O2 content, Than the Viton O-rings.

Which means they should probably be replaced more often than the Viton ones. At least checked in between service.

But as far as them not being able to be used with higher O2 content, that is false.

 

[The Chairman]

black included. BTW, I see no need to O2 clean ANYTHING past the first stage. And even then I really don't see the need as it never sees more than 40%. Only the tank and it's o-rings will ever see %100. I never O2 clean my regs... not needed. You don't think that your BC needs to be O2 cleaned as well, right?

 

[padiscubapro]

BTW viton Orings also come in black... I hvae several hundred Viton orings and a large percentage of them are black..
There is an easy test to see if the oring in question is Burna nitrile or Viton since viton is considerable more dense than burna Nitrile..


Tkae a known viton oring thats the same size as the oring in question drop them in a glas of water the viton O ring will sink much faster than the burna nitrile version...

Also Viton is not the only oxygen compatible o- rings,
Apeks regs (at least those sold through Us divers/Aqualung/Seaquest)uses epdm, This has a much higher flash point than Viton but is not as durable..

Burna Nitrile becomes brittle in the presence of high oxygen, Its not the greatest importance in the second stage since the pressures involved arent that high, Its really important on the tank face (for a yoke) and on the reg face for a DIN. The orings inside the 1st stage are better off being Viton.. If you keep them contaminent free and keep on top of maintainance most likeliy there wount be a problem.. But remember Murphy always lurks around the corner..

I have only had 1 oring ever burn and its wasn't when I was using it.. I inadvertently put a burna nitril o ring on the face of my oxygen reg for my rebreather(I now only use brown orings on for this part) .. I dove it for months without any problems.. I Always slowly crack my oxygen reg and never open it more than 1/4 to 1/2 a turn (very little flow is necessary), Someone else used my RB and the first or second time the used it the turned the oxygen valve on like most divers do with OC and there was a puff of smoke and a burnd smell.. The O ring was totally gone and my valve has a permanent burn on it..

 

[Mo2vation]

Doc:

It makes sense, now that I think about it, that the only thing really seeing pure O2 is the cylinder and its valve. I use DIN, so there is no O-ring on the valve.

By the time the blended gas comes to me (thru the 1st stage, 2nd stage or my AirSource) its only 40ish or below (sometimes it may get a bit over 40...the blenders are not rocket scientists...)

Good info. My drysuit shows up this week. I couldn't be more fired up. Do I need to O2 clean my exhaust valves....?

Kidding.

Thanks

Ken

 

[Mo2vation]

Duh....

Brain dead. Of course there's an O-ring on the valve... 'tween valve and cylinder.

"...so shoot me now..."

K

 

[detroit diver]

bang.

 

[thethumper]

Mo2vation once bubbled...
Doc:

By the time the blended gas comes to me (thru the 1st stage, 2nd stage or my AirSource) its only 40ish or below (sometimes it may get a bit over 40...the blenders are not rocket scientists...)


Ken

I hope, for your safety, if it's 40ish, you're diving 40ish & not 32, 36....ect..... Remember too much O2 @ depth for an over extended time (past your little RDP) can come back & bite you in the arse!

You only "need" have O2 clean & Viton rings on gear that will see 40% + O2. (w/the exception of tanks) If your diving over 40% I hope you've taken Advanced Nitrox or Decompression Diving course. Most (if not all) regs are set up to take up tp 40%.

Cheers!

 

[Mo2vation]

Thumper -

Your point is well taken. I sounded a bit flip, but I'm very cautious of measuring all gas personally, noting MOD, blend, pressure, etc. in the log at the LDS, noting it on the cylinder hang tag as well.

Thanks -

Ken