Servicing your own regulators

[rhwestfall]

....and you are very possibly servicing a reg that may not need it, so you spent money and put wear and stresses on your regulators that may not be necessary, all to keep your magical warranty....

 

[buddhasummer]

"...most likely servicing a reg that does not need it ....

 

[formernuke]

....and you are very possibly servicing a reg that may not need it, so you spent money and put wear and stresses on your regulators that may not be necessary, all to keep your magical warranty....

How so if I buy a used one to play with. And then once I know do the others?

 

[buddhasummer]

He's referencing the parts for life thing...

 

[rhwestfall]

I'd like to see what warranty actually did something for the holder.... I've had used regs (untold previous owners) get parts replaced under manufacturer's programs at no cost. I've never had a warranty issue (on a covered item) come to bear....

 

[formernuke]

"...most likely servicing a reg that does not need it ....

I've heard they usually don't as long as you take care of them.

 

[rhwestfall]

How so if I buy a used one to play with. And then once I know do the others?

not you, I type slow...

 

[rsingler]

It is literally cheaper to take them to a shop now. Mine charges 25 for second 30 for first plus any parts not covered by the warrant. So for routine where my parts are free.... only thing I'm not sure is how often are additional parts needed?

Ah! You're the rare bird who has a shop he trusts. I would guess that at least half the DIY guys on this forum do it because they're equipment geeks. But the OTHER half likely has a story of a shop that screwed up their regs, and their loss of trust led them to DIY.
Reg service ain't rocket science. But it takes attention to detail, and refurbishing neglected equipment takes loads more time than any shop will put into your personal reg. At $30/stage, they lose money if they do it properly and your equipment requires ultrasonic cleaning and inspection before reassembly. The only ones they break even on are pristine regs that are just parts changes. And that's why most shops are just parts changers. That's why any real problem requires a "new part" rather than perhaps just polishing the old one. It's faster, and it's another profit center. That's why old regs "can't be serviced." Of course they can; we do it all the time in the DIY forum. But we don't make any money doing it.
Now, selling a new 7mm wetsuit, or a "new and improved" reg set? That's a better way to make money.
I don't begrudge the LDS's. They are in a tough business. And service ain't one of their money earners.

 

[buddhasummer]

@rsingler, nailed it.

 

[formernuke]

Ah! You're the rare bird who has a shop he trusts. I would guess that at least half the DIY guys on this forum do it because they're equipment geeks. But the OTHER half likely has a story of a shop that screwed up their regs, and their loss of trust led them to DIY.
Reg service ain't rocket science. But it takes attention to detail, and refurbishing neglected equipment takes loads more time than any shop will put into your personal reg. At $30/stage, they lose money if they do it properly and your equipment requires ultrasonic cleaning and inspection before reassembly. The only ones they break even on are pristine regs that are just parts changes. And that's why most shops are just parts changers. That's why any real problem requires a "new part" rather than perhaps just polishing the old one. It's faster, and it's another profit center. That's why old regs "can't be serviced." Of course they can; we do it all the time in the DIY forum. But we don't make any money doing it.
Now, selling a new 7mm wetsuit, or a "new and improved" reg set? That's a better way to make money.
I don't begrudge the LDS's. They are in a tough business. And service ain't one of their money earners.

I do have a LDS I trust..... for now. But you have turn around time. Them going under, rush charges so I don't miss dives etc.

I also know things don't go bad that often and I've heard, which makes sense that the yearly is just a take and inspect, every other is replace o-rings and soft parts. After that no clue.

Can someone confirm this.