Rebreather Service. Self or Factory only?

[mstrty]

Opining about rebreathers. One thought that comes to my mind is service and repair. Is there a manufacturer that allows its end users to perform annual service and sell proprietary parts to consumers? I am not talking about after dive service I am talking about ALL required service or repairs. I am a kind of guy that when I get a flat tire I call AAA. Not because I can not do it but because I choose not to. Some of you may be the same. I will however service and repair my own electronics. Like anything with an electronic circuit board (ie television). I am also a hobby machinist and make my own steel or aluminum parts when needed with my tool room size lathe and mill.
So the question is this. Can someone buy a rebreather without having to send it in for service or repair? If yes, with this same company sell all parts to perform the repair or service to anyone?
Please also try and keep the "this is life support" comments to a minimum. TIA

 

[Tracy]

Caveat, I am now a dealer for them and service them for others.

When I first started diving the Dive Rite rebreathers, I was just another diver with a unit and I was always able to order any parts needed to service the unit myself.

 

[211ratsbud]

Take a CCR class. Then come back to this.

This kind of question would answer itself when you are familiar with the diving and operational aspects of a CCR.

To my knowledge there are no units that have a professionally agency sanctioned course along with them that would be immune completely from needing manufacturer level service at some level of failure. And in particular this references the electronics portion.

Shearwater will not send you parts to fix their products. That will be the biggest hump to clear.

Annual service hurdles for the loop and main parts are usually obtained without much effort.

 

[mr_v]

@mstrty, Poseidon offers a course that is close to what you are describing.

Once you get a rebreather certification, things will become more or less self explanatory. Many rebreather manufactures allow you to buy service parts (e.g., o-rings, soft goods, solenoids, controllers, etc.) that you can replace yourself. It is more like removing and replacing lego pieces than soldering circuit boards. Typically, electronics are potted and require a factory service or bravery.

If you're curious what you may get with a rebreather, check out these sites:

https://www.revo-rebreathers.com/revo-spares/

Products - InnerSpace Systems Corporation

megccr.com

Rebreathers

Rebreathers, Cylinders, Gas Booster and Accessories

www.divegearexpress.com

Rebreather Day 1 (RD1) System & Components

Rebreather Day 1® (RD1) is a system and method for rebreather diving from Lombardi Undersea LLC. The system was developed in 2017 and has undergone several hundreds of hours of field evaluations prior to finalizing production components and their methodology. RD1 provides an 'open source'...

www.underseatools.com

Additional resources for DIY:

Rebreather, Parts, Service, unique solutions

TAUCHEN - Rebreather Tauchen, Teile, Zubehöhr, Tec Ausrüstung in Einzelfertigung

tecme.de

Note, just because a manufacturer offers parts for sale, it does not mean that you can get parts in a timely manner. I can vouch for rEvo and Meg - solid support. If a manufacturer or a distributor lists most parts as "available on backorder," it is a telling sign.

Cheers~

 

[mstrty]

Caveat, I am now a dealer for them and service them for others.

When I first started diving the Dive Rite rebreathers, I was just another diver with a unit and I was always able to order any parts needed to service the unit myself.

That is nice to know. I am already deep into Dive Rite gear. Wings, lights, and just about every accessory they make.

@mstrty, Poseidon offers a course that is close to what you are describing.

Once you get a rebreather certification, things will become more or less self explanatory. Many rebreather manufactures allow you to buy service parts (e.g., o-rings, soft goods, solenoids, controllers, etc.) that you can replace yourself. It is more like removing and replacing lego pieces than soldering circuit boards. Typically, electronics are potted and require a factory service or bravery.


Note, just because a manufacturer offers parts for sale, it does not mean that you can get parts in a timely manner. I can vouch for rEvo and Meg - solid support.

Cheers~

I will keep them on my short list. Maybe I should only look at domestic units and avoid any manufacturer that uses a cargo ships to move goods. Is that even possible?

 

[211ratsbud]

Fathom, Meg are two popular units that as far as I know are entirely domestically manufactured, sans the SW.

Anyone know any others?

 

[nadwidny]

Opining about rebreathers. One thought that comes to my mind is service and repair. Is there a manufacturer that allows its end users to perform annual service and sell proprietary parts to consumers?

I'm not sure I've ever heard that either of my rebreathers requires annual service. Where did you hear that this was a requirement?

 

[mr_v]

@mstrty, domestic manufacturing plays a role but so does a manufacturer's supply and distribution chains.

Mares owns rEvo. While rEvo is Belgian manufacturer, I can get almost all rEvo parts within 24 hours provided that I order directly from Mares USA by 5PM Eastern. European headquarters also help with getting answers outside of the US business hours. Mares is also a large company, so they can afford having spares in stock. Smaller distributors or manufacturers cannot always do that.

Dive- Tronix, a US-based service center for several rebreathers and Shearwater, is also exceptionally helpful.

When I chose my second rebreather, I asked the following questions:

- Does the rebreather do what I need it to do giving the anticipated dive profiles?
- Can DiveTronix service it?
- Can I get the parts or support from the manufacturer in a timely manner?

Meg checked all the boxes above, so it is incoming ;-) Dive-Tronix home page lists the units the company can service. Check it out:

DiveTronix

US Authorized service center for all Shearwater Dive Computer models, and rebreather controlers. Repair service and general maintenance available.

www.divetronix.com

 

[Garth]

I have an older hammerhead and a kiss sidewinder. I can’t think of anything I would need a manufacturer to do other than work on the shearwater computer itself such as depth sensor or board replacement. Outside of that, Fischer cables are easy to purchase and the wiring for older models is basic.

Edit further: the longer I dive older rebreathers the less I want fancy stuff that breaks. Even solenoids don’t really make sense. I have used both and prefer the simplicity of the mechanical rebreather. Much easier to control, monitor and take care of on my own which is important to me.
I’m also not a huge fan of paying astronomical pricing for labor considering I enjoy the time assessing the machine and going over the parts and pieces.

 

[mr_v]

I enjoy the time assessing the machine and going over the parts and pieces.

Yeah, I am going to call BS on this one, Garth ;-)

Lemme see those rebuilt regs when we hit Marianna ;-)