Regulator maintenance schedlue for O2 reg

[paddler3d]

I'm contemplating taking a LP72 steel tank I have and getting it cleaned for O2 usage, greater than 40%.

Basically I'd like to drop it off the side of the boat at 15ft with a couple of 2nds. I want 100% O2 in it and use it for our safety stops. Use it to clean up, so to speak.

I know about the O2 clean thing and I know that AL would be better than steel for this purpose, but the tank is in the basement not doing a lot.

My question is the reg that I would dedicate to this purpose, would it need anything more than annual service? For instance, would you have to get it serviced twice year or more?

I know O2 is corrosive at the higher FO2's and the o-rings can take a beating.

Thanks in advance!

Chris

 

[rjack321]

I wouldn't make your recreational dives more complicated than they need to be. Just do a few extra minutes on your shallow stops. 3 mins on O2 = 5 to 7 mins on air or nitrox so just do the extra time shallow.

Depending on use, O2 regs may need more or less service than you other regs. Its not a hard and fast rule.

 

[paddler3d]

Let me add one more bit of info here, because yes I do agree it would add one more layer of complication, but there other thought is the ability to have O2 on the boat for that just it case moment.

 

[PhilEllis]

Since DCS symptoms typically occur after exiting the water, your setup will not work very well for those "just in case" moments. It will have been hanging in the water and will have been used (partially or completely) by the divers on exit.

In my opinion, you should have the regulators oxygen cleaned each year. But, I am sure others will disagree.

Phil Ellis
www.divesports.com

 

[SDAnderson]

Leave the bottle and first stage on the boat and run a loonnngggg hose to a pair of second stages. Less chance of contaminating the 1st, easier to retrieve.

Annual service, including O2 cleaning, is probably sufficient. Learning about this stuff on the internet probably isn't.

 

[DCBC]

I'd probably first have an external and internal visual inspection completed, along with a dead-ring (hammer) test on the cylinder. I wouldn't worry about the O-rings as long as they're fluorocarbon elastomers (such as Viton by Dupont). Nitrile O-rings on the other hand shouldn't be used (an unlubricated Nitrile O-ring is shiny, Viton has a matte surface). The commercial diving industry uses Viton only for O2 and Heliox.

Companies like Kirby Morgan suggest annual inspections, so I wouldn't suspect that recreational use would require a higher standard, but whatever floats your boat.

Hope this helps.