Slow leak before and after service?

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Zeagles are supposed to be tuned so as to not leak with the resistance knob turned fully CCW (for least breathing resistance). I've seen Zeagle second stages that won't leak when initally set up, but will leak slightly regardless of where you set the orifice or the adjustment knob once you've actuated the demand lever several times. The fix for that is usually the poppet spring, but by no means is that the only fix. Just about any of the moving parts in a second stage can cause this problem and some non-moving but adjustable parts, too.

If your Zeagle was serviced under warranty the dealer must retain the used parts to return to Zeagle for free replacement. The dealer should at least show you the used parts kits when you sign the form stating you are the original owner.

A caveat here: tuning second stages is always a balance between ease of breathing and slow leakage. Sometimes a reg will test fine on the bench and come back from the first few dives with a slight leakage because we set it up a little too "easy". I don't like a hard-breathing reg and I don't think many of my customers do, either.
 
It can be a fine line - You want the reg to have a low cracking effort so it breathes easily (otherwise why pay for a high performance reg) but as stated above, if you misjudge the amount of detuning needed to compensate for the seating groove that develops it may develop a slight leak a few dives, days or weeks later.

In general when you get this type of leak, tightening down a resistance knob will not stop it and an orifice adjustment is normally required.

I have some customers who seem to like harder breathing regs and I tighten them down a bit more to prevent complaints and returns as there is no real downside. I also do not detune mail order serviced regs as much either as the return process for a 30 second adjustment is a real pain and a 2 week turn around with shipping time considered.
 
Terry what kind of first stage is designed that way? I am hearing/seeing a small leak from my Atomic first stage and it was serviced about a year ago.

...the only reg I've ever heard of that's 'supposed' to have a tiny 1st-stage 'leak' are most Sherwoods (although I'm not sure if their 'new' SR1 model is supposed to 'leak' as well...I think that one is 'normal' with no 'leaks' designed in.)

...if your Atomic has a 1st-stage leak...it ain't 'right' and you need to get it serviced/repaired.

(and 'yes'...among my many reg sets is an Atomic M1...which I really like....so I know what I'm talking about.)
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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