reg breathes wet

[JahJahwarrior]

Just got the reg back from service, it's an old Aqualung Conshelf XII. First dive with it, it seems great, but seems to breathe wet. As in, on my cert. dives and with the gear I rented a few times (scubapro on the cert, oceanic rented) the air was always very dry. I had been told that condensation on the inside of the reg could happen with my reg, becuase the case is brass or something like that. Makes sense. I was diving in a spring, so I have no way of knowing if the moisture that I found did exist in the air Iw as breathing came from that or from a leak somewhere. I don't know how there could be a leak....I don't know how to test for one or anything. I just really don't want to get into the ocean with this thing and find out the moisture I was breathing came from a leak or something, which I would quickly notice with all the saltwater! Any way to tell if the moisture is from a leak or not? Anyway to stop such a leak if there were one?

 

[ReefGuy]

Check the mouthpiece. Make sure that the zip tie isn't pinching or binding. Check the exhaust valve. Make sure that rubber is pliant and not pinched.

 

[spectrum]

With near 100% certainty it did not come from the cylinder.

A metal case second stage will act as a condenser and let you rebreathe some of your expired water vapor but this will not amount to breathing wet rather it just helps avoid "dry mouth".

Were you upside down by any chance? or was the regulator upiude down in your mouth? That will challenge many exhaust valves and they will admit some mist.

Some debris or damage or or about the exhaust valve is possible. A loose tiewrap on the mouthpiece or a damaged mouthpiece is also something to check for.

Pete

 

[JahJahwarrior]

All seems good, if I hold the reg in my mouth and inhale, the suction isn't permanent. It's not breathing freely, but apparently I can get some air through it. Dustcap is on and held on tightly.

I was not upside down much at all, the ziptie is on there pretty tightly but I might could do better. and no, the reg was not in my mouthupside down as far as I know. exhaust ports are usually onthe bottom of your face right?

 

[Ed Palma]

To also test for a leaky exhaust valve, place the reg in your mouth, and with the valve turned off, try sucking a bit. If everything's intact, no air should be leaking. If some air does come in, its most likely through some grit keeping the valve stuck open, a small hole in the diaphragm, or - as suggested above - a loose mouthpiece.
At any rate, how wet does it breathe? I use an old conshelf brass 2nd too, and the condensation makes it great at preventing dry mouth.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

With the dustcap firmly in place, a little bit of air seems to come in. How should I check for crap in the exhaust valve? Like I said, the reg JUST came back from service, and from waht I understand, almost everything in it was replaced...

 

[Ed Palma]

Then check the mouthpiece... after service, it has sometimes occured. Is it the correct size? is the zip tie done properly?

 

[JahJahwarrior]

It's the original mouthpiece. I can try putting on another ziptie, I have another mouthpiece that's very uncomfortable (too small, bought the wrong one at the shop) that I can slip on it and see about.

 

[Ed Palma]

Well, if you take the mouthpiece off, try doing the same test without it... at least that'll really rule out the mouthpiece as a potential problem.

 

[james croft]

You can remove the exhaust T and visually inspect the exhaust valve. Make sure the exhaust valve is not messed up, torn,etc. and that there the sealing surfaces are clean or no debris trapped in it. Also check for the same thing on the large diaphram. There should be no holes or debris, etc. Pull on the mouthpiece and make sure there are no tears.