Shipping assembled regulators safe?

[Divin'Papaw]

Regs leave the factory fully assembled … 1st stage, 2nd stage, LP hose. The alternate 2nd stage is also fully assembled. You then simply attach the alternate second stage, an SPG, a spool, and the required LP & HP hoses. Assembly only requires an adjustable wrench and an allen wrench. Easily done yourself.

 

[Couv]

The most often seen insult to shipped regulator sets is when the shipper puts a kink in the hose near one of the fittings. Carefully coil the hoses (or disconnect them) all all will be well.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Ok, I imagined that an non-assembled regulator sold would be all parts exploded and packed separately (think Meccanno) which would require specialised tools only available with a service technician. Now somebody told me that assembled means only fitting the hoses after greasing the O-Rings… so a DIY job with a wrench and Allen key… Is that right?

The hose o-rings are static o-rings and don't need lubed.
The tool needed to assemble a reg set is a small adjustable wrench or open end wrenches of the proper size. Adjusting regs takes an IP gauge and an in-line tool but if the shop is a reputable one, they have done the adjusting before they sent the reg out.
Just don't overtighten the hoses.
Using a torque wrench they are recommended to be tightened to 35-40 INCH LBS.
Not foot pounds, inch pounds.
Since most people don't have torque wrenches with a proper crows foot lying around, this is snug with a 6 inch wrench and then two fingers on the wrench until your fingers bend back about an inch. To test - try to unscrew the hose without a wrench. If you can't, it's tight enough.

 

[lowwall]

Thanks for the heads up. Will search for online videos to make sure I do it right!

Finger tight plus a 1/16th of a turn (22.5⁰) with a wrench. The o-ring makes the seal, you just want it get it to the minimum point where it won't unscrew by itself.

For some hoses you need a wrench with a thinner head. Basic bicycle cone wrenches are good for this if you already have them. If not, they are usually cheaper than stuff marketed for scuba.

 

[Pearlman]

The hose o-rings are static o-rings and don't need lubed.
The tool needed to assemble a reg set is a small adjustable wrench or open end wrenches of the proper size. Adjusting regs takes an IP gauge and an in-line tool but if the shop is a reputable one, they have done the adjusting before they sent the reg out..

So for the shop to adjust the regs with an IP Gauge they will have to connect the hoses and assemble it correct? I wonder if I should just order it assembled and then deal with anything that feels a bit loose as part of routine pre-dive checks…

 

[Couv]

Regulator Inspection and Checklist (Rev-8)

Discussion of this thread can be found here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html First off, I would like to acknowledge my friends who have done more than their share in developing this checklist. Due to my laziness and resistance to answering...

scubaboard.com

 

[Pearlman]

Regulator Inspection and Checklist (Rev-8)

Discussion of this thread can be found here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html First off, I would like to acknowledge my friends who have done more than their share in developing this checklist. Due to my laziness and resistance to answering...

scubaboard.com

Thanks. I went through that - I was trying not to suppose or assume that everything will work perfectly just because the reg set is brand new. In which case I might need an authorised service tech to look at it even before the first dive. That was the original concern behind this thread. I guess the likelihood and probability is very low but never zero. If I were to tell a seller to fully assemble it and ship, can I be sure that all the above checks would be performed? I mean is it standard practice?

 

[Jcp2]

There’s no guarantee other than their word.

 

[lowwall]

Thanks. I went through that - I was trying not to suppose or assume that everything will work perfectly just because the reg set is brand new. In which case I might need an authorised service tech to look at it even before the first dive. That was the original concern behind this thread. I guess the likelihood and probability is very low but never zero. If I were to tell a seller to fully assemble it and ship, can I be sure that all the above checks would be performed? I mean is it standard practice?

The point of couv's checklist is to tell you how you can verify for yourself that your regs are working correctly. The only tools required are a scuba tank and a $15 IP gauge. I run through this check a few weeks before every dive vacation, so I have time to deal with any problems that show up.

If you don't have a tank, you can rent one. If they have public hours in their pool, take the IP gauge with you and do the checks there before you dive.