ScubaPro G250 Graphite/MK10 with Nitrox

[kjwynne]

I have a ScubaPro G250 Graphite with a MK10 1st stage. I recently gained my nitrox certification and wanted to know if this gear was nitrox compatible.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

KJ
Hilton Head Is., SC

 

[vjanelle]

The G250 is...

The MK10 may need a 'nitrox kit'.

 

[sardiverdan]

As long as you stay at 40% or less no worries

 

[halocline]

The G250 is...

The MK10 may need a 'nitrox kit'.

Really, what's a 'nitrox kit'?

Don't worry, all regulators except a very few titanium are completely compatible with nitrox to 40%, after which it isn't a recreational gas anyway.

I understand SP did it's part to add to the confusion by marketing a MK20 nitrox version, but that was just a bit of a scam to get unsuspecting divers to spend more money.

BTW, assuming your G250 is one of the older style, pre G250HP, you have a classic reg that will easily handle any diving situation you're likely to throw at it. Make sure whoever works on the 1st stage is a careful, thorough tech who will not get impatient and scratch the HP o-ring groove. These older SP balanced piston 1st stages are fantastic performers, and very simple to work on, but the one thing that can quickly ruin them is someone digging out the HP piston o-ring with a sharp pick and scratching the groove. The more recent MK20/25 use plastic bushings to seat the o-ring, making them more idiot-proof to work on.

 

[kjwynne]

Outstanding! Thank you for the information. I have a newer Ocean Master rig that I knew was ok, but I love the SP G250/MK10 and was hoping it would work. The information on-line was sparse.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Couv]

Oxygen cleaning and Nitrox compatibility:

The "40 % rule" has different view points: I like this one.
http://www.gasdiving.co.uk/pages/misc/Nitrox.htm#21

But read up on the issue a bit to make up your own mind. Here is a link for an opposing view:
http://www.luxfercylinders.com/support/faq/aluminumoxygen.shtml

Couv

 

[vjanelle]

Really, what's a 'nitrox kit'?

Don't worry, all regulators except a very few titanium are completely compatible with nitrox to 40%, after which it isn't a recreational gas anyway.

EPDM orings IIRC. It may need to be cleaned and an O2 compatible lubricant used instead.

 

[kjwynne]

Thank you for the advise.

 

[halocline]

EPDM orings IIRC. It may need to be cleaned and an O2 compatible lubricant used instead.

I'm pretty sure SP uses EPDM for all it's o-rings. You would probably be referring to viton o-rings that were part of the MK20 "nitrox" upgrade. SP has also long since recommended Christolube for all it's regulator applications.

But, none of this really matters, as it's perfectly safe to use a silicone-lubed, nitrile o-ring-fitted reg with recreational nitrox. No exciting explosions. and, as far as O2 degradation, don't forget that the reg is only exposed to a slightly higher than normal (conceivably about 40% as opposed to 21%) O2 concentration for the brief time the reg is in use. A tank neck o-ring would be subjected to the higher level of O2 at any time nitrox is in the tank.

 

[BlueWaterDiving]

One would think that all of this would of been covered. In the nitrox class.