While in Palau I got seriously ill on one of my dives and lost my breakfast through the 2nd stage (Apeks ATX200). Some of this breakfast got lodged in the exhaust valve, so the reg flooded and became impossible to breath from as I was getting more water than gas through it :11:... Glad I had a backup!
After the dive I took it apart and rinsed it out and unplugged the exhaust valve and the reg worked fine for the rest of the trip.
So yesterday I *finally* got around to rebuilding it and the other regs I have that are due for service. I took that reg apart and HOLY GUACAMOLE!! ... Just that short salt water exposure left a lot of residue and surface corrosion on the metal parts, even after rinsing it with fresh water :11:
A bath in the US cleaner with some vinegar took care of it and the rebuild kit took care of the soft parts. I was actually pretty amazed at the AMOUNT of residue and corrosion in there... glad I decided to service it before my upcoming trip, though
I'm also glad I learned how to service my own regs.... it was good to know how to take it apart so I could make it work for the remainder of the liveaboard trip. I also like knowing how they work as well as being able to make minor adjustments "in the field" if there's a problem.
Other things I like about servicing my own gear...
- I get it back the same day instead of weeks (or more :11: ) later
- I know it's done right and no shortcuts were taken
- Cost - the LDS here wanted to charge $140 for 1 first stage and 2 second stages.... PLUS PARTS!! I bought the kits for about $25 for the first stage and less than $20 (IIRC) for the second stage kits.
It still peaves me that even for the regs I bought from this LDS, they will not honor the Apeks policy of not charging for (or refunding the LDS) the rebuild kit for annual service!
After the dive I took it apart and rinsed it out and unplugged the exhaust valve and the reg worked fine for the rest of the trip.
So yesterday I *finally* got around to rebuilding it and the other regs I have that are due for service. I took that reg apart and HOLY GUACAMOLE!! ... Just that short salt water exposure left a lot of residue and surface corrosion on the metal parts, even after rinsing it with fresh water :11:
A bath in the US cleaner with some vinegar took care of it and the rebuild kit took care of the soft parts. I was actually pretty amazed at the AMOUNT of residue and corrosion in there... glad I decided to service it before my upcoming trip, though
I'm also glad I learned how to service my own regs.... it was good to know how to take it apart so I could make it work for the remainder of the liveaboard trip. I also like knowing how they work as well as being able to make minor adjustments "in the field" if there's a problem.
Other things I like about servicing my own gear...
- I get it back the same day instead of weeks (or more :11: ) later
- I know it's done right and no shortcuts were taken
- Cost - the LDS here wanted to charge $140 for 1 first stage and 2 second stages.... PLUS PARTS!! I bought the kits for about $25 for the first stage and less than $20 (IIRC) for the second stage kits.
It still peaves me that even for the regs I bought from this LDS, they will not honor the Apeks policy of not charging for (or refunding the LDS) the rebuild kit for annual service!
