regulator rebuild

[bdwilli75]

Hi I am new to the forum and would like some information about rebuilding the second stage of a regulator. I just recently took one apart and realized that it is vacuum activated with what looks like an air flow adjustment screw and spring set up. My question is: Is it realistic to by a kit and rebuild the reg at home or is that just taking my life into my own hands. Everything looks pretty basic, the only thing that concerns me is setting the adjustment nut at the proper airflow level (if that is actually what it does). Any advice or warnings would be appreciated.

Thanks, Brad

 

[RBachman]

While not overly difficult, rebuilding a regulator does require knowledge specific to the task at hand. It also requires the parts (hard to get if you're not certified to perform the task and associated with a distributor/LDS.) So, it's best leave it to someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[pasley]

Yes it is life support equipment and best left to the professionals. IMHO. You have neither the training nor the test equipment to test it after you are done for problems.

Consider the cost benefit. If you got it right, you saved, what, $30.00? If you got it wrong, the funeral will run $7,000 or more.

 

[redacted]

Hi I am new to the forum and would like some information about rebuilding the second stage of a regulator. I just recently took one apart and realized that it is vacuum activated with what looks like an air flow adjustment screw and spring set up. My question is: Is it realistic to by a kit and rebuild the reg at home or is that just taking my life into my own hands. Everything looks pretty basic, the only thing that concerns me is setting the adjustment nut at the proper airflow level (if that is actually what it does). Any advice or warnings would be appreciated.

Thanks, Brad

Yes, it is taking your life in your own hands. But if there is not someone else in whose hands you would rather put your life, have at it. It isn't hard to do, the test equipment will cost as little as $15.00, and parts can be hard to come by, but persistance pays off. For a place to start try:
www.airspeedpress.com

 

[DandyDon]

While not overly difficult, rebuilding a regulator does require knowledge specific to the task at hand. It also requires the parts (hard to get if you're not certified to perform the task and associated with a distributor/LDS.) So, it's best leave it to someone who knows what they are doing.

Really! It's not like rebuilding a car starter. A little more important!

But Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue Look around our various forums - everything from New-To-Scuba to Instructors-Only to Dive Medicine.

don

BTW - Did you set up your Profile? Some ideas for your Profle might be taken from looking at mine. Click on my Username to the upper left, then click on my Profile, and see what I've done. For your's, click the [CP] in the upper left of the screen, then click [Edit Profile]. If you need any more help, PM me direct.

And don't forget to wash your hands after handling meat, poultry or fish.

 

[redacted]

Really! It's not like rebuilding a car starter. A little more important!

Somewhere between the starter and the brakes in terms of consequence of error - probably comparable to changing a tire.

And, in terms of complexity, much easier than rebuilding a carburetor. If you can get the parts, that is.

And I guess that the relative importance is also a matter of perspective. I know that if my regulator fails during a dive, I might suffer a little inconvience and abort that dive. My buddy and/or pony will get me to the surface safely. And the spare reg in my save-a-dive kit will get me back in the water for the next dive if not to complete that one. A starter failure is usually a real PITA.

 

[Mako Mark]

Hi Brad,

while rebuilding a reg is not brain surgery, the special tools and the parts involved mean that it is probably worth taking it to someone who can do it faster cheaper and better than you could do it youself. There is the issue of safety which is not to be overlooked, but one of the biggest concerns is that when dealing with second stages, you can destroy the new parts you just put in, buy assembling it incorrectly.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Most regs are extremely simple and easy to service. It's a matter of inspecting, cleaning, replacing a seat and a few o-rings, adjusting and testing. If it tests good it is good.

Nothing wrong with having some one else do it if you don't want to mess with it. I for one resent the hell out of the fact that the industry does their absolute best to actively prevent you from doing it yourself with lies about the danger and the refusal to sell parts and manuals.

 

[O2Addict]

Getting parts is the big issue.

I would rather service the parts myself, than rely on someone else, but then again I did do manufacturer's training, in some regs.

If you know what you are doing, do it yourself. Plus the service manuals are written for complete idiots, so if you can get the manual it is really easy.

 

[rescuediver009]

Judging by your initial reaction in the first post I would take it in to the LDS. there are too many things that can be forgotten and ruin a dive later on much less hurting you. You would know if there was someting wrong with it as soon as you took a breath.
Depending on the make and model, it may not even be adjusted by that nut you are looking at....