Regulator Service Interval

[Robertp33]

I had my Mares Proton Ice serviced (yearly maintenance interval) last summer. Subsequently I had an injury and have not been able to dive. So the reg has not been used since it was serviced.

Do I need to have it serviced again this year? I am within my year right now (I believe I got it back in August but I will check that tomorrow).

Seems a bit much to have someone take it all apart again when it hasn't been used.

Having said that, condensation, moisture, etc from non use may be just as bad?

Opinions?

TIA.

 

[mason417]

I think you would if you have warranty with it. Also, the moving parts have not moved in awhile and it should be checked to make sure of proper function and besides it is your life support, so why take any chances.

 

[spectrum]

Remaining in the rest position can cause some distortion of seats and seals. While it may not make a failure eminent it will almost surely cause a drift in the finner adjustments. How much that matters depends on you and the specific regulators behavior.

A bigger concern is that if water, especially salt did get in there it has had had plenty of time to do damage. This could bring on a failure or damage normally cleanable parts forcing the purchase of replacements.

If your shop and warranty allow for an inspection then that may be prudent.

Pete

 

[tfsails]

Good advice from both posters above. You probably have to get it serviced to keep it in warranty. After all, it's YOUR life we're talking about here...

 

[SBP Studios]

How often do you guys get yours serviced?

We use ours about 4x a year and both of our regs are fairly new, 4 dives so far. We clean them very very well.

Think it needs to be serviced yet before our Dive next week? They worked flawlessly a couple of months ago when we dived last.

 

[halocline]

Good advice from both posters above. You probably have to get it serviced to keep it in warranty. After all, it's YOUR life we're talking about here...

Really, if a reg malfunction is life threatening, you better re think your approach to diving.

I never heard that a reg not being used for a year and in the "rest" position would "distort the seals", that makes no sense to me at all. I suppose anything's possible. If it was rebuilt a year ago and it was done correctly, and has not been used since, and it's been stored correctly with no strain on the hoses, it should be fine. It's possible that the 2nd stage orifice might have imprinted a little on the soft seat, but that would be a simple adjustment. You might bring it by for a bench test and/or inspection, but I would not bother to rebuild it. If it's necessary for the warranty then you have little choice unless you want to forgo the warranty. That's exactly what I did on my MK2; since I rarely use it I quit with the annual rebuilds, which were quickly adding up to more than the cost of the reg.

I've seen many old SP regs that have not been used in years work just fine. The usual issue is that 2nd stage seat and that takes a long time to wear out, especially if it's a balanced 2nd stage, because there's much less spring pressure acting on the seat.

 

[pescador775]

A regulator will last a long time in storage. I've seen them sit for ten years with no problems at all. However, the device will need service if a specific problem can be identified. Generally, this will involve a rotted mouthpiece, bent or checked rubber at the hose connection or slight free flow originating typically from a dented 2nd stage seat. To avoid this, insert or twist the diaphragm depressor during storage, or make one and use that. Before testing, depress the purge to blow out dust and spiders. Regulators which have been stored more than ten years may have a problem with O rings. For example, the tiny O ring inside the balance chamber of a diaphragm operated first stage may become hard and cause a leak. This also applies to the piston stem O ring of some regs. One and two year service interval is mostly unnecessary and is a gimmick to avoid litigation, maintain relations with the diver and keep them in the system (read shop). Identification and repair of factory defects of which the technician is informed via service bulletins and kept hidden from the public falls into the litigation part. Charging of high labor costs and the opportunity to sell the customer a new reg, etc are, of course, some of the motives. Yet, there are always exceptions to the actual required schedule of inspections and service. Regulators used in commercial operations are often abused and should be checked under some regular inspection program determined by those responsible. Always bear in mind that the regulator contains precision components and any unnecessary service places the diver at risk after each and every procedure is completed. This was expressed under a well known aphorism, "if it ain't broke don't fix it".

 

[spectrum]

Robertp33

In re-reading your post I realized that this regulator set has not been in the water since the last servicing a year ago.

IMO the only real risk is developing seat impressions over the year. The end result may be as much about how closely it was tuned as how long it sat. Do you have a charged air cylinder available?

Pete

 

[Packhorse]

Really, if a reg malfunction is life threatening, you better re think your approach to diving.

Agree 100%

If you really believe a malfunctioning reg is life threatening I suggest you spend some time on further training instead of money on a possible unneeded reg service.
If your reg fails and cant supply air then go to your buddy or the surface. If you dont have either of those 2 options then I suggest you dive with a second air source.

 

[SBP Studios]

I worry more about a BC malfunctioning or a mask getting kicked off when im 100ft deep personally.