Reg service

[maximdonch]

Cracking pressure... how do you know you have a problem with cracking pressure...

I was at the dive shop today... IP was 138 (which the guy tried to sell me on a rebuild) I turned him down since I bought reg online (brand new, and I was just letting them look and 138 isn't far from 135, If it was 145 I may have been more inclined)

However then he moved onto the cracking pressure... Of which he opened the adjustable dial up all the way (which let air flow rather freely). Then he said it only stops the air if it is relatively near the closed position. (ok this is something I have little experience in.) Again he pushed a complete rebuild on a brand new (never touched water regulator)


If the reg is new, but sat on a shelf for a year... does that warrant a rebuild...

If I do the sink test on my own to check cracking pressure... can anyone give me better direction?


Thanks...

 

[halocline]

If the reg is brand new, never used, it should certainly NOT need a rebuild. But, it probably should be tuned, and adjusting the cracking pressure is part of tuning a reg. I'm having a little trouble understanding your post; are you saying that the reg freeflows if the inhalation adjustment is all the way out?

Either way, it's not uncommon to have to tune a new reg. That would involve adjusting the IP if needed (138 PSI is fine for most regs; most manufacturers specify a range of acceptable IP so the difference between 138 and 135 is not important) and then adjusting the 2nd stage cracking pressure to the specific 1st stage. What kind of a reg is it?

 

[ReefHound]

If the reg is new, but sat on a shelf for a year... does that warrant a rebuild...

If it sits on your storage shelf at home for a year, it needs a complete rebuild or you will surely die. If it sits on the dive shop shelf for a year it'll be just fine. The dive shop has magic shelves, you don't.

Don't let them blow air up your skirt.

 

[ReefHound]

These simple checks can be done by anyone. They should be done often, not to mention when new out of the box or after shop service.

They can be done by anyone... that has a tank of air at home. A lot of divers don't.

 

[maximdonch]

It is an Aires Atmos Pro with an environmentally sealed 1st stage.

I bought it on Ebay... It was purchased originally from scuba toys on 2/27/07. After looking the reg over myself... and talking with the seller. He hooked it up to his tank once to make sure it worked, and then it sat in storage.

It looks just as good as the floor models at the local scuba store (and there isn't even a trace of dust in the second stage let alone any watermarks.)

I do have a full tank at home...

to be a little more specific, there is a venturi control (which doesn't affect free flow) and a larger dial that when opened up all the way, air starts to flow out of the regulator (aka free flow) When you dial it back down and get it closer to the near closed position no air escapes.

The scuba guy was a prick...(not the usual person I work with at the shop. I think he was rather turned off by the scubatoys logo on the regulator bag that I brought in. :no

I guess spending about 2K on equipment from them over the years isn't enough that when I want to save a little money they become all snobby.

 

[redacted]

It is an Aires Atmos Pro with an environmentally sealed 1st stage.

I bought it on Ebay... It was purchased originally from scuba toys on 2/27/07. After looking the reg over myself... and talking with the seller. He hooked it up to his tank once to make sure it worked, and then it sat in storage.

It looks just as good as the floor models at the local scuba store (and there isn't even a trace of dust in the second stage let alone any watermarks.)

I do have a full tank at home...

to be a little more specific, there is a venturi control (which doesn't affect free flow) and a larger dial that when opened up all the way, air starts to flow out of the regulator (aka free flow) When you dial it back down and get it closer to the near closed position no air escapes.

The scuba guy was a prick...(not the usual person I work with at the shop. I think he was rather turned off by the scubatoys logo on the regulator bag that I brought in. :no

I guess spending about 2K on equipment from them over the years isn't enough that when I want to save a little money they become all snobby.

I believe your reg is doing just what it is supposed to do. I'm pretty sure Oceanic & Aeris call for their adjustable 2nds to be tuned with the adjustment knob turned in a ways (1 turn or maybe half way). This should result in a slight FF on the surface if the knob is all the way out but allows you a full range of adjustment at depth.

BTW, the venturi adjustment effects the resistance the air encounters as it passes thru the mouthpiece. This should effect the severity of any freeflow.

You really do need to find a good dive shop. It sounds to me like yours is not to be trusted. It is pretty obvious they are just trying to get into your wallet.

 

[maximdonch]

So you would feel comfortable taking this set up under the water the way it is?

Or is there a specific test I can run on my own without danger?

 

[ReefHound]

Hook it up and see if it doesn't free flow. Then take it on a pool dive or shallow lake dive.

BTW, what you really need to be comfortable with is that you have the skills to deal with any kind of reg failure in the first place.

 

[redacted]

So you would feel comfortable taking this set up under the water the way it is?

Or is there a specific test I can run on my own without danger?

If the freeflow you are talking about is just a slight leak that is stopped by a turn or so on the adj knob, I would be very comfortable knowing it is in spec and correctly tuned. Detune the reg for entry and exit and open it up a little as you descend for maximum performance.

But, I'm comfortable with regs that many might not be comfortable with. Almost all my regs that I currently use came from ebay and are older than most dive masters. I test and inspect them thoroughly, service them as necessary, and then we go diving. A couple conservative dives and they move to first string.

 

[maximdonch]

The good news is that the next opportunity to use them is at a Sandals resort, where if all else fails... I can always use their gear .... I just don't like the thought of other peoples mouths on things that I will put my mouth on.

The first dive will be an afternoon, shallow depth for no more than 45 minutes (what I have been told) It would be a good test of the new reg, and will be the determination of whether or not I use it for the deeper dives, where there may be more of an issue.

I appreciate all your advice. It sounds to me like the dive shop Deep Blue: The Midwest's Premier Dive Center: Milwaukee Scuba Store isn't a place to get sound advice from. (to bad they are only a couple miles from my house.)

I will stick with my old dive shop Underwater Connection (who has always served me well) just takes 30 minutes to get to. (except for service on the equipment I bought, and air fills)