Self Maintain

[CRC65]

My LDS is pushing the Atomic Line due to its two year service interval. I have read great things about the Zeagle Envoy and it seems perfect for the diving I do (less than 80ft, warm water recreational) and it would save me a lot of money. However, after 8 years the price savings is gone due to yearly regulator service vs every two year service.

I am reasonably handy .... is self service for regulators something I could learn? .... or is this something better left to people that do it all the time?

I understand this is a Zeagle forum and would like feedback on the concept of self service and to understand why Zeagle (and everyone but Atomic) have picked yearly service?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Davidstealey3]

yes this is something you can learn on your own. you can take a reg repair course at many LDS and learn to do this. there are some books you can buy to also help you learn how to do this.
they are regulator savoy and scuba regulator maintance and repair.

the next option you have is to go work at a shop that sells zeagle euqipment, and tell them you would like to take their repair course. YOU HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF A SHOP TO DO THIS OPTION. zeagle will not teach this course to just anyone from my understanding.

but you should be warned. if you just take one of the general repair courses, you will not be able to keep you waranty valid on the zeagle regulator. this service has to be done by a factory authorized tech. the next problem you would have is trying to find the parts kit.

so to answer your question YES you could do this on your own. it is not hard to replace some orings. it is a little tricker to learn how to tune the reg to make it work to its peak performace. it would cost you a little investment in some tools and testing equipment if you were to do it right. if you ask me i would let the shop do it for you. but knowing how to do it for yourself might help you be able to do some field repair on it and save you a dive or two one day.

 

[herman]

Assuming you are mechanically inclined self service is fairly simple. If you are comfortable rebuilding small engine carbs, learning regs is fairly easy. Granted there are those who should be be allowed within 100 ft of a wrench but for most of us, reg repair in no big deal, certainly not the rocket science or black art some would have you believe. To me it's about a lot more than just saving money, which it does. I know my reg, I can tell if it's a little off and have a good idea of what may be wrong and can make an informed decision to continue the dive or call it off. I can save a dive with a simple fix or repair it on vacation if needs be. I can also make the decision on when to service my reg. It is a huge debate to be sure but one school of thought suggest that a reg should be serviced when service is actually needed as opposed to servicing based soley on the calender. This is a decision you have to make for yourself and there is no way to do so unless you understand your reg and how it works, reguardless of wheather you self service or not. IMO, get the books, study them well and if you choose not to self service, you are an informed consumer when you do get your reg serviced.

 

[CRC65]

.........but one school of thought suggest that a reg should be serviced when service is actually needed as opposed to servicing based soley on the calender.........

Thanks for the reply. I strongly agree with service (of most things) being based on need not the calendar. I do wonder why Atomic picks two years?

Also, can you give me a ballpark of equipment costs for self service?

 

[Fishpie]

The only "special" tool needed for an Envoy is a pin spanner.
You'll also need an IP pressure gauge.
Total cost $40-$50.

 

[Davidstealey3]

pin spanner for the envoy part number 347-0001 from zeagle.

you can go to www.scubatools.com and buy a lot of the tools you might need.

if you buy the second book listed above, i do believe it tell you how to make your own IP guage.

if you really wanted to you could get the magnahelix to help you with the tuning, but it is not required. you can do the the same thing in a big sink.

what the other poster said above is true about the only special tool, but it would be worth your while to invest in some brass picks. they will not scratch up the finish on the internal parts or leave the gouges that SS and other picks might leave. i did a sherwood class and they showed them using one of the cheep plastic dental floss/picks you can buy in the grocery store to remove some of the orings.

the last thing you will need to buy is some brass brushes. they are for the cleaning of some of the parts for corosion. just make sure they are soft bristle. you could also use nulon brushes. while an ultrasonic cleaner is a bit expensive, go to www.harborfreight.com and get the one they have for jewlery. they have two sizes, get the big one. it has a tempture control and 4 different time settings. fill it with some water and joy dish detergent for the most of the cleaning. you can also do a acid bath (viniger and water solution ) but not always the best thing to use per some manufactors. if you dont want the ultrasonic cleaner, just put the parts in a container to soak. use the brush to remove any spots you see, dry and reassemble. rinse off the rest of the parts and there you have it. not rocket science, just need that understanding of how it works.

 

[DCBC]

... to understand why Zeagle (and everyone but Atomic) have picked yearly service?

Hi Chris, I suspect that the number one reason is revenue generation. A secondary one might be liability. BTW Apeks recommends service every two-years as well.

 

[CRC65]

Well you have convinced me at a minimum to get the books and learn more about regulators before I purchase.

No a Zeagle question...... for recreational use (<90 feet, warm water) does the flathead VI offer better breathing (or any advantage) over the envoy....and is there anything else that I should look at for ease of repair. I like the fact that Zeagle repair kits are ez to come by.

 

[Davidstealey3]

the FH6 is a heavier body and does have a little better performance, but for the diving you are describing above the envoy is fine.

also if you were to get a FH6 it uses a different pin spanner
part number 347-0003
this is only for the FH6