Peculiar behavior from a Titan

[TSandM]

I bought a used Titan regulator from a local acquaintance. When I began using it, I believe it was working normally, but after a few dives, I noted that it would "stutter" when I was using the dry suit inflator. The gas flow, instead of being a smooth "whoosh", would be more of an "uh-uh-uh". I initially thought it was the dry suit inlet valve and didn't worry much about it, but after a few more dives, I heard the same thing happening when I inhaled. There was no noticeable interruption of gas flow in terms of resistance, just this stuttering sound.

So I took the reg in for service. The service technician is an experienced tech (not a shop monkey) and works for the shop doing probably the highest volume of reg work in our area. He made no comments about anything untoward in the reg.

So I did a few dives that were fine, and now it's stuttering with suit inflation again.

What could cause this, and is it something I should be worried about?

 

[scubafanatic]

1) when you had the reg serviced, did you alert the tech about the 'issue' ?
2) after you got it back from service, have you alerted that tech that the issue persists ?
3) as you own other Titan's, have you tried swapping out 1st and 2nd stages with one of your 'good' Titans to see if you can at least isolate the issue to a 1st stage vs 2nd stage issue ?
4) is the issue with a Titan or Titan LX ?
5) can you replicate the issue on dry land or only underwater ?

 

[cool_hardware52]

1) when you had the reg serviced, did you alert the tech about the 'issue' ?
2) after you got it back from service, have you alerted that tech that the issue persists ?
3) as you own other Titan's, have you tried swapping out 1st and 2nd stages with one of your 'good' Titans to see if you can at least isolate the issue to a 1st stage vs 2nd stage issue ?
4) is the issue with a Titan or Titan LX ?
5) can you replicate the issue on dry land or only underwater ?

If it "stutters" during drysuit inflation it's not very likely the problem lies with the 2nds...

I'd venture a guess the internal volume of Lynne's 7 ft Long hose dampens the behavior vs the relatively short drysuit hose.

I'd not be surprised if breathing the BU reg induces the fault too.



Tobin

 

[TSandM]

I haven't tried breathing the backup, but as Tobin says, since it was first apparent with the dry suit inflator, I have assumed it was the first stage.

The tech should have been apprised of the issue when the reg was taken in the first time -- I didn't do it, Peter did, but I believe he said he told the tech why the reg was coming in.

I haven't taken it back in yet. Honestly, I hated to let it go for another week or two, so I wondered if this was something completely innocent that wouldn't need more attention.

 

[RJP]

Does the problem happen with other regs on the same drysuit inflator valve?

Try swapping drysuit hoses?

Hooves=horses?

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

While it may be something "innocent", my concern is that there was a change in how the regulator behaved. From your description, it does sound like a first stage problem.

From your description, it sounds like the 1st stage initially did not make the sound.... then it did. The the sound was gone for awhile after being serviced.... then returned.

I don't own and have never worked on a Titan (but own and work on very similar balanced diaphragm 1st stages). I'm scratching my head on the symptoms you are experiencing, but I'd look closely at the HP spring block, balance chamber, springs, looking for scoring or other damage (this needs to be done with a loupe or other good magnifier.... the tech probably did this though....

Maybe one of the Aqualung guru's will chime in soon... but it does not sound right Lynne. Get it checked out, or at least have the tech for sure diagnose the problem and say it is "ok".

Best wishes.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Does the problem happen with other regs on the same drysuit inflator valve?

Try swapping drysuit hoses?

Hooves=horses?

She needs to think "zebra" or "antelope" on this one to be safe.

She's describing a "patient" that did not respond to the initial therapeutic trial, the "dry cough" returned, and the diagnosis was never established on the first visit....

Best wishes.

 

[RJP]

She needs to think "zebra" or "antelope" on this one to be safe.

Right. But DDx suggests ruling out horses first, though.

 

[peterbj7]

Sounds odd to me. My basic Titan has never done that.

 

[tfsails]

This may sound a little bit far-fetched, and maybe it is: Could it be a harmonic caused by the relative lengths of the various LP hoses? Could it only be happening when the OP inhales on her second stage? Does it go away when she uses her octo? Does switching the DS hose with the LPI hose make the noise go away? For the life of me I can't see a hose causing this, but I've been fixing things (airplanes, cars, and regulators) for 41 years now and I've seen some pretty unbelievable stuff happen.

I would suggest to the OP that she make a dive and try to induce the noise and then try to eliminate the noise by varying the conditions under which she activates her DS inflator. Do it while inhaling; do it while exhaling; do it while holding your breath (but don't tell your OW instructor you held your breath underwater...), etc.

This sounds to me like the first stage HP section is cycling open and closed for some reason and the cause may well be one of the two springs behind the HP poppet. Good luck and keep us posted.