question about Z2

[poseiden19]

Hi everyone, my wife just got a new Z2 regulator and neither one of us has had an atomic regulator before. My question is; I notice when breathing in on the second stage it does not seal abruptly like other regulators when not attached to a tank. I know atomic has some unique design properties but is this normal? Thank you for your help.

 

[bumcikaz]

Its a seat saver feature on atomic regs

 

[Scuba 1]

I use the Z2's as well. This is completely normal since the seal is not achieved until pressurized. Great regs, with a 2 year service interval due to this feature.

 

[Scared Silly]

As said above it is the seat saver. Because of this feature you want to rinse the reg while pressurized or at least keep the first stage above the second stage to prevent water from backing up into it.

Geek alert - how it works: There is a spring that pushes the seat up against the orifice. However, on the orifice side there is a thin washer that is cusped (aka a wave spring) that backs the orifice away from the seat. The force of the wave spring is over come when pressurized.

 

[poseiden19]

Thanks everyone for your answers, my wife is relieved.