Regulator Characteristics Questions

[RTW]

(I posted this as a reply on the equipment/regulators forum, and thought I'd put it here also.)

I purchased my 1st reg, the Titan LX, yesterday.

I dove the Tusa RS-230 during OW training and found it to be very dry.
2 dives with the Titan LX, and I find it to be, comparatively, VERY wet.
Is it a design characteristic of the internal workings of the LX or perhaps because the Comfo-Bite is stimulating more saliva production?

Also, is it normal for inhalation effort to dramatically increase in an on-your-back-looking-up position? I found that to be the case with both regs.

Thanks,

 

[Mark Vlahos]

(I posted this as a reply on the equipment/regulators forum, and thought I'd put it here also.)

I purchased my 1st reg, the Titan LX, yesterday.

I dove the Tusa RS-230 during OW training and found it to be very dry.
2 dives with the Titan LX, and I find it to be, comparatively, VERY wet.
Is it a design characteristic of the internal workings of the LX or perhaps because the Comfo-Bite is stimulating more saliva production?

Also, is it normal for inhalation effort to dramatically increase in an on-your-back-looking-up position? I found that to be the case with both regs.

Thanks,

By wet do you mean a nice comfortable air stream with a little humidity in the air, or do you mean actual drops or even a stream of water? Humidity would be nice, but if it is an actual quantity of liquid water, there may be somthing actually wrong with your regulator. In the past when I have gotten my regulators back from service, on the first dive I have noticed actual water. In my case the problem has always been the same, the little exhaust valve for when you exhale has gotten a small flip or fold in it. This is fairly easy to do when the exhaust T is installed on some regulators. Once I figured this out it was really easy to fix. In my case I can either stick somthing like a pencil into the exhaust T and gently manipulate the soft rubber of the valve, or I remove the T and fix the problem directly. In either case gentle is the watchword.

Your problem may be the same as mine or it could be somthing entirely different. In any event you could take the reg back to the shop where you got it and ask them to check it for leaks. Since your reg is new this check out should be free. I like the comfobite mouthpiece and don't think it has anything to do with your problem directly. It is possible that because the mouthpiece does such a good job of keeping the reg n your mouth your lips are so relaxed that water is getting in around the edges of the mouthpiece but since you are a relatively new diver I would imagine that you are gripping the mouthpiece quite aggressively.

You indicated that when you are on your back looking up the reg breathes a bit harder, unfortunately this is common. There are lots of scientific principals involved but you should accept that this is just one of those things. As you have discovered, you can still breathe, it is just a little harder, not really a big deal in the overall scheme of things actually.

Have fun with your new reg.

Mark Vlahos

 

[Kriterian]

Since you mentioned the new Comfo-bite mouthpiece, I would just like to add to check that. If it's loose on the regulator (possibly wrong size or model) or there is a small split/crack in it, the mouthpiece could allow water to enter on each inhalation.

Good luck and congrats on your equipment purchase!

 

[RTW]

By wet do you mean a nice comfortable air stream with a little humidity in the air, or do you mean actual drops or even a stream of water?

Moisture pools and requires sipping.

there may be somthing actually wrong with your regulator.

I don't believe this to be the case. (see below)

It is possible that because the mouthpiece does such a good job of keeping the reg n your mouth your lips are so relaxed that water is getting in around the edges of the mouthpiece.....

I believe this to be the case. I found that my exhaust was often between my lips and the mouthpiece rather than through the reg. At the time, I didn't make the correlation between exhaust escaping and water entering.

You indicated that when you are on your back looking up the reg breathes a bit harder, unfortunately this is common. There are lots of scientific principals involved but you should accept that this is just one of those things. As you have discovered, you can still breathe, it is just a little harder, not really a big deal in the overall scheme of things actually.

Because both regs performed this way, I assumed that to be the case.

Muchos gracias for the info, :leseratte

 

[Paco]

I have the same reg, (Titan LX) and like it very much. I did my ice dives with it with no free flow. Mine does not breathe wet. I take it in to the shop I bought it once a year for a check up and if it ever needs a rebuild, I will just pay labor. This is not a high price reg, but I think a very good quality one.

 

[calscubagirl]

(I posted this as a reply on the equipment/regulators forum, and thought I'd put it here also.)

I purchased my 1st reg, the Titan LX, yesterday.

I dove the Tusa RS-230 during OW training and found it to be very dry.
2 dives with the Titan LX, and I find it to be, comparatively, VERY wet.
Is it a design characteristic of the internal workings of the LX or perhaps because the Comfo-Bite is stimulating more saliva production?

Also, is it normal for inhalation effort to dramatically increase in an on-your-back-looking-up position? I found that to be the case with both regs.

Thanks,

I don't have the reg your talking about. I have the Sherwood Maximus. On the left side of my reg, there is a little moisture retention knob. When I first starting diving with it I noticed my mouth was horribly dry. Full on cotton mouth. Then I started playing with the knob on the side to adjust the moisture during my dives. Maybe your regulator has the same type of feature? Check it out. You might have turned it and didn't know it and now there's too much moisture going into your mouth. Not all regulators have that feature but, the way you descibed it, I'm wondering.

 

[toodive4]

There are balanced and unbalanced regulators and there are poor, fair, good, very good, excellent and AWESOME in both. Despite what some industry magazines might tell you, there are very few regulators outside of Scubapro, Apeks or Poseidon that rate in the AWESOME category. In fact, the entry level unbalanced Scubapro regulator - the Mark 2 R190 out performs most other brands "top of the line" balanced regulators. If you can get your hands on one, lie on your back and breathe. You will find minimal if any difference in the way the regulator performs. I have used much higher priced MARES, TUSA, ATOMIC and other brands that cant shake a stick at this regulator.

If you're going to invest in equipment that can keep you alive, go with Scubapro, Apeks or Poseidon regulators. The compressed air you are breathing will always be dry. You should hydrate adequately prior to diving. If by wet - you mean water is getting in... check your mouthpiece first, then on a Tusa - take it in for service - it is most likely a malfunction due to poor brand quality.

Ken Barrick

By wet do you mean a nice comfortable air stream with a little humidity in the air, or do you mean actual drops or even a stream of water? Humidity would be nice, but if it is an actual quantity of liquid water, there may be somthing actually wrong with your regulator. In the past when I have gotten my regulators back from service, on the first dive I have noticed actual water. In my case the problem has always been the same, the little exhaust valve for when you exhale has gotten a small flip or fold in it. This is fairly easy to do when the exhaust T is installed on some regulators. Once I figured this out it was really easy to fix. In my case I can either stick somthing like a pencil into the exhaust T and gently manipulate the soft rubber of the valve, or I remove the T and fix the problem directly. In either case gentle is the watchword.

Your problem may be the same as mine or it could be somthing entirely different. In any event you could take the reg back to the shop where you got it and ask them to check it for leaks. Since your reg is new this check out should be free. I like the comfobite mouthpiece and don't think it has anything to do with your problem directly. It is possible that because the mouthpiece does such a good job of keeping the reg n your mouth your lips are so relaxed that water is getting in around the edges of the mouthpiece but since you are a relatively new diver I would imagine that you are gripping the mouthpiece quite aggressively.

You indicated that when you are on your back looking up the reg breathes a bit harder, unfortunately this is common. There are lots of scientific principals involved but you should accept that this is just one of those things. As you have discovered, you can still breathe, it is just a little harder, not really a big deal in the overall scheme of things actually.

Have fun with your new reg.

Mark Vlahos

 

[lorien]

Personally I rented this reg on my first few dives before buying my own reg. I found the Titian to have the same problems when I used it as did my son. Wet and a lot of resistance when looking up. It was one of the reasons I did not buy this reg. I bought the ScubaPro MK25S600 and put a comfo bite mouthpiece on it. Very dry and very little resistance in breating on my back looking up. Just my experience for what it is worth.