SP 156 issues...

[rhwestfall]

Had a reg updated to a 156 at a shop I will no longer go to....

109 converted to a 156. Here is the condition: With the adjustment knob all the way out it is leaking lightly. Takes maybe 3 partial turns to stop it (likely less than a full turn), and there, its "on the edge". Any thoughts of what to attack first? I think they put a new lever in as it is really glossy compared to the guts (need to try and figure out what parts they replaced). It has the new s-wing poppet, lighter spring and balance chamber. I am wondering if it needs some cycle time to break in, or a better tune.

With the issues I have had with the LDS, I'm thinking its time to do it on my own. Any advice?

Been reading Reg Savvy and Harlow's, so I have some ideas, as well as the tools. I just want a little coaching from the folks here.

Thanks.

 

[Fishpie]

Screw in the poppet 1/8th turn.
You want to adjust so it has a slight ff with knob all the way out.

I wouldn't be too hard on the tech....if they know they have a customer that wants the max out of the reg they would tune it accordingly, sounds like the seat took a set, and it just needs a little tweak.


Yes, oriface....had a brain fart this morning, putting the cart before the horse.

 

[halocline]

It actually an orifice adjustment, on SP regs it's not called the poppet. The poppet is the plastic part that holds the seat.

Take off the hose, depress the purge, screw in the orifice clockwise 1/8 turn, see how it is. Repeat if you have to. If you need to screw in the orifice far enough to stop the leak so that the lever is too low, you'll need to change the lever.

 

[redacted]

As long as it breaths well and you know how to control it, you could just leave it the way it is and be assured of getting maximum performance throughout the dive. Even with the adjustment wide open, that very slight leak will likely disappear at depth and at lower tank pressures. (Mk5/10 are slightly underbalanced so IP may drop 5 to 10 psi as the tank pressure drops). Some manufacturers of adjustable 2nds recommend tuning them so they leak when the adjustment is in the easiest position. If you do decide the adjust the orifice, that slight leak should be stopped with only a 10 to 20 degree adjustment.

 

[Couv]

Rh,

That is actually how I tune my personal regs, but I can understand that others do not like them that way. If you do decide to make an adjustment on the orifice, please remember to push the purge button or you may damage the soft seat.

A small detail for clarity: You have a slight freeflow. A leak is water making its way into the reg case or air escaping from a point where it should not.

 

[rhwestfall]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts. It appears the lever is "really high" right now, so I think there is some adjustment room. This reg will be going on a mk-5 or a mk-2+ on a pony once all things are set, but for now it is on a mk-17 as an octo for an upcoming class. The instructor is mandating a conventional octo configuration for everyone (rescue class).

I may have to tweak it again once it goes back on the MK-5 depending on the IP range between the two firsts, but then again, it may be minimal.

Again, thanks.

---------- Post added April 7th, 2012 at 10:37 AM ----------

A small detail for clarity: You have a slight freeflow. A leak is water making its way into the reg case or air escaping from a point where it should not.

yeah, wrong terminology - coffee hasn't kicked in, and the brain is foggy right now....

 

[redacted]

You have a slight freeflow. A leak is water making its way into the reg case or air escaping from a point where it should not.

When you get older, the difference between a slight freeflow and a leak is not nearly as important as the frequency of their occurrence.