Scubapro R109

[Slater]

Rob
3 minutes, more like 4 seconds, that was easy! Pin came right out, no tools needed...
Looks clean in there!

What do I have?
Rob

 

[redacted]

It has been converted to balanced. You will need an S-wing poppet with replaceable rivet seat and you should be in business, If you can also get a new balance chamber, that would be good but the old one will probably work. There may also be a lever issue but most likely it will not be a problem.

 

[rsingler]

Or you can keep the blue poppets. They're out there cheap, but not as good as the S-wing. S-wing added a second o-ring to help with lubrication/sealing inside the balance chamber, and a removable seat. With the blue one, you have to replace the entire poppet, which will only work as long as the supply of blue poppets with soft seats remains.

Interestingly though, your adjustment knob is from a G-250, and is not the original. Both work fine. Kind of like a '57 Chevy with mag wheels.

 

[redacted]

Or you can keep the blue poppets. They're out there cheap, but not as good as the S-wing. S-wing added a second o-ring to help with lubrication/sealing inside the balance chamber, and a removable seat. With the blue one, you have to replace the entire poppet, which will only work as long as the supply of blue poppets with soft seats remains.

Interestingly though, your adjustment knob is from a G-250, and is not the original. Both work fine. Kind of like a '57 Chevy with mag wheels.

I have a pair of late model 156 with that style knob. They also have that grey matte finish cover. I thought 250s have a plastic wheel on the adjustment knob.

A pic: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/178874/title/apr12-155/cat/500

 

[rsingler]

Interesting! Guess SP updated the knob first for the 156/Balanced Adjustable and then incorporated it into the G-250. The 250 came with both plastic and knurled metal knobs. Maybe it was the G-250 Graphite that got the metal one. The Graphite was my first regulator, so I could draw it by heart! But have never seen a 109 with that knob until now.

I always learn new history in this forum.

 

[Couv]

Yes, my first Balanced Adjustable had that knob. I think I purchased it new in 1986/87. The owner of the dive shop where I worked bent a customer's G250 knob stem and, "Hey Couv, let me borrow the knob from yours so I get this one out to the customer-I'll get you an new one real soon." My baby still has a bent knob stem today.

 

[kelemvor]

Ahhh so the "R" is an error got it thank you

I think a lot of scubapro regs start with R. I think it's because deep down, sucubapro wants to be pirates. "R, matey"

 

[rhwestfall]

check the late 80's to early 90's catalogs. The 156 had a new styled knob.

It still breaks my heart that they dumped the 109/156. I got one when I first started diving for $25 at a garage sale, adding an octo (another 109) for $15 IIRC. Back then, I had no idea what I had. Upgraded one to the 156, and been diving them since (certified in 1988). Think I have 12 - 15 of them stashed in boxes. I did break down and get a few G250v sets, and have relegated the 109/156 to my pony tank, but will still dive them occasionally. Would like to pair a prime condition 156 with a MK-17. Think it would be just unequaled for cold water. As to the G250V and the 156, I don't find a big difference (aside from the all brass case will be around for the next 3-4 generations - the plastic? Doubt it). Tuned correctly, they are just fantastic.

 

[Luis H]

As to the G250V and the 156, I don't find a big difference (aside from the all brass case will be around for the next 3-4 generations - the plastic? Doubt it). Tuned correctly, they are just fantastic.

I think the plastic can be recycled into a nice fleece sweater... with the brass case, all you can do, is keep on diving with them...

---------- Post added September 14th, 2013 at 06:17 PM ----------

Yes, my first Balanced Adjustable had that knob. I think I purchased it new in 1986/87. The owner of the dive shop where I worked bent a customer's G250 knob stem and, "Hey Couv, let me borrow the knob from yours so I get this one out to the customer-I'll get you an new one real soon." My baby still has a bent knob stem today.

Oh, Did you also work for Alberto at Divers Service Center in PR...

That story sounds so familiar... No, I do not have a bent knob stem, but I do have a case with chrome missing, etc. Yes, my personal gear was the lowest priority.

Oh well... that is probably the story on many dive shops.

 

[halocline]

In the case of the 109/156 pictured, it doesn't look like the original knob to me, because the rubber purge cover looks like an older style. I bet they used that style knob on the 'balanced/adjustable' model, i.e. the one that was balanced from the factory and had the words 'balanced adjustable' stenciled on the case. I think those had a different style purge cover, with oval vent holes. But, I could be wrong, I often am.

But I was right that this reg has a balanced poppet. I'd replace the spring as well; they do wear out and don't seem to hold a tune as well. Bryan has them for sale at vdh for $6. I also suspect that many knobs were replaced at service, because they do bend fairly easily and they do occasionally get frozen up from poor lubrication.