Reg Service Question

[srownin]

Hey,

I am having a dilemma when it comes to servicing my regs. My new LDS (I recently moved) seems to be the logical option. My brother has been using them for a few years and seems pleased. However, on a few dives with my brother, he has had equipment issues that we had to fix on-site immediately following either service or new gear setup by this particular LDS.

My question is this: How can evalute the proficiency of an LDS for service without giving them my gear as a test run? I would prefer to service myself, but I am not qualified.

As a second question, has anyone become qualified on their own and subsequently serviced their own gear?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[redacted]

It sounds to me like your brother's experience is a pretty fair test and the LODS is not doing well. There is notheing difficult about servicing regulators. This is a good place to start: Airspeed Press Homepage - Books For Serious Divers

And, with that knowledge, you will probably find plemty of help on this board. Where are you located and what kind of regs are you dealing with?

 

[Scottri]

What sort of problems is your brother having with his gear after service? For me, I always talk to the technician and I like to take a look at the work area where they service gear. It should be clean and well organized. Ask other people around the are where they get their gear serviced as well.

 

[srownin]

To answer both at once...

I am in Westport, CT. All of my 2nds and the 1st on my primary tank are Zeagle. The 1st stage on my pony is a Mares. BC is a Zeagle too.

My brother just stepped up to doubles on a backplate/wing. When he got the gear back from the LDS, one of the 2nd stages was not working. We swapped the 2nd on my pony and all worked well - his 2nd worked on my pony too. It seems to have been a compatibility issue, which bothers me to start. Secondly, I would have expected them to find this at the LDS. There have been other minor issues, mostly only requiring us to tweak the set up when he gets gear back from them.

I am definitely going to check out another shop. I just found two others not too far from my town.

I am going to check out the book though - I would much rather service my own gear.

Thanks for the help.

Best,
Scott

 

[spectrum]

What do you mean the "second stage was not working"? Was it like sucking eggs or free-flowing or not delivering any air?

What sort of set-up tweaks have you been making for the other instances?

I highly recommend the book. Even if you do not service your own regulators it will make you a savvy consumer and a better informed diver.

Pete

 

[jmichaels]

The best LDS may not be in driving distance from your house. Lucky for me, mine is. And lucky for you, you can ship them almost anything for service.

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