SP Freezing

[Compressor]

Hello Friends:

I want to mention a problem I am having with my regulators.
I was diving in very cold (30s) water couple of months ago. Reaching 100 feet where it was very cold, my Scubapro MK20/S600 regulator started to free flow (slightly). Upon ascending, it cleared up. I surmised ice formation as the culprit. The same problem has happened again on other dives with the same setup.

Yesterday, I switch regs to a MK16/S550. Again at 110 feet and cold water, the regulator began to slightly free flow. I thought that a diaghram regulator will help the problem. It obviously did not.

I would like to mention that on all occaisons except the firts incident, I had the regulator on "predive" setting with the flow valve also increase resistance.

The dives are in the Upstate NY finger Lakes. The surface temps are in the 60s now but after 2-3 thermoclines, they get into the 30s around 80-100 feet.

Any advice would be appreciated. I did take the S600 to the dealer; I was told that it something that can happen and that I should slow my breathing. Heck I am very relaxed. Seriously doubt that is my problem.

Thank youundefined

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Scubapro's freeflowing in cold water? Thats old news... If you are diving in cold water alot, I would suggest getting an Apeks reg with an environmentally sealed first stage. That will prevent alot of the problems. The other thing is making sure the reg is properly maintained and using good procedures underwater to prevent freeze ups.

 

[Compressor]

Scubapro's freeflowing in cold water? Thats old news... If you are diving in cold water alot, I would suggest getting an Apeks reg with an environmentally sealed first stage. That will prevent alot of the problems. The other thing is making sure the reg is properly maintained and using good procedures underwater to prevent freeze ups.

ALL Regulators faithfully maintained.

 

[matt_unique]

Hello Friends:

I want to mention a problem I am having with my regulators.
I was diving in very cold (30s) water couple of months ago. Reaching 100 feet where it was very cold, my Scubapro MK20/S600 regulator started to free flow (slightly). Upon ascending, it cleared up. I surmised ice formation as the culprit. The same problem has happened again on other dives with the same setup.

Yesterday, I switch regs to a MK16/S550. Again at 110 feet and cold water, the regulator began to slightly free flow. I thought that a diaghram regulator will help the problem. It obviously did not.

I would like to mention that on all occaisons except the firts incident, I had the regulator on "predive" setting with the flow valve also increase resistance.

The dives are in the Upstate NY finger Lakes. The surface temps are in the 60s now but after 2-3 thermoclines, they get into the 30s around 80-100 feet.

Any advice would be appreciated. I did take the S600 to the dealer; I was told that it something that can happen and that I should slow my breathing. Heck I am very relaxed. Seriously doubt that is my problem.

Thank youundefined

I had the same problem with my brand new SP MK25/G250HP. I was at 118' in 46 degree water and after a large deep breath it began to free flow. I shut the tank valve off for a moment, then turned it back on and it was fine. Definitely freezing in the second stage.

The problem has since been resolved. My shop tech called Scuba Pro who suggested he add an o-ring to my first stage, verify the intermediate pressure (which was correct), and to de-tune the second stage just a small bit. I watched him do it but I don't know enough to be able to explain it in detail. The piston can no longer lay flat against the wall of the cylinder if you will. The o-ring provides just a tiny gap to prevent this.

I have since repeated the conditions of my one freezing incident and it has not happened again. I am curious to see how she performs this winter though.

I will say - this thing breaths like a champ. I was down at 155' in high 40's water two weeks ago and air flowed into my lungs with very little effort. I was extremely impressed with how well this reg breathes. I hope the adjustments will carry this experience through with winter diving.

To buy again I would rent an Apeks to see if they breath/resist freeze as well as the SP. From what I have read here they breath the same and resist freeze better. The written materials I have found say the SP's breath better.

--Matt

 

[MikeFerrara]

I had the same problem with my brand new SP MK25/G250HP. I was at 118' in 46 degree water and after a large deep breath it began to free flow. I shut the tank valve off for a moment, then turned it back on and it was fine. Definitely freezing in the second stage.

The problem has since been resolved. My shop tech called Scuba Pro who suggested he add an o-ring to my first stage, verify the intermediate pressure (which was correct), and to de-tune the second stage just a small bit. I watched him do it but I don't know enough to be able to explain it in detail. The piston can no longer lay flat against the wall of the cylinder if you will. The o-ring provides just a tiny gap to prevent this.

I have since repeated the conditions of my one freezing incident and it has not happened again. I am curious to see how she performs this winter though.

I will say - this thing breaths like a champ. I was down at 155' in high 40's water two weeks ago and air flowed into my lungs with very little effort. I was extremely impressed with how well this reg breathes. I hope the adjustments will carry this experience through with winter diving.

To buy again I would rent an Apeks to see if they breath/resist freeze as well as the SP. From what I have read here they breath the same and resist freeze better. The written materials I have found say the SP's breath better.

--Matt

If SP knows that a modification is needed why don't they do it before they sell it to you?

I've never owned a SP reg but I've run into a lot of mad divers with free flowing regs especially in the winter who do.

What do you suppose SP is thinking? Maybe they're counting on most divers diving in warm water to save them the trouble of fixing the design.

 

[Compressor]

I had the same problem with my brand new SP MK25/G250HP. I was at 118' in 46 degree water and after a large deep breath it began to free flow. I shut the tank valve off for a moment, then turned it back on and it was fine. Definitely freezing in the second stage.

The problem has since been resolved. My shop tech called Scuba Pro who suggested he add an o-ring to my first stage, verify the intermediate pressure (which was correct), and to de-tune the second stage just a small bit. I watched him do it but I don't know enough to be able to explain it in detail. The piston can no longer lay flat against the wall of the cylinder if you will. The o-ring provides just a tiny gap to prevent this.

I have since repeated the conditions of my one freezing incident and it has not happened again. I am curious to see how she performs this winter though.

I will say - this thing breaths like a champ. I was down at 155' in high 40's water two weeks ago and air flowed into my lungs with very little effort. I was extremely impressed with how well this reg breathes. I hope the adjustments will carry this experience through with winter diving.

To buy again I would rent an Apeks to see if they breath/resist freeze as well as the SP. From what I have read here they breath the same and resist freeze better. The written materials I have found say the SP's breath better.

--Matt

I am shocked to hear about this happening in 46 deg water.
I do dive in cold water alot (not by choice). Not until it gets real cold do I have a problem.

How are the Poseidon and Sherwood Regulators when it comes to freezing?

 

[pescador775]

IMO, the SP MK 20/G250 is the best 'breathing' regulator in production. However, as alluded by the late, lamented 'Genesis', the internal workings of the first and second stage of the latest MK25 mods include a lot of plastic and rubber materials which open up questions about longevity, and complexity when making repairs. As we suspect, failures post maintenance will escalate with complexity and the frequency with which factory modifications are made. Sometimes, the techs don't get it right. Most of the changes that have occurred since the MK 10 have been aimed at making the reg more reliable in cold environments. This has mixed results and the complaints continue to trickle in.

Without the benefit of advice from a really smart cookie like Genesis we are left to dissect the problem in bits and pieces. It is really disturbing that whom, I believe, was our most intelligent poster, has been banned by the management of this board.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Without the benefit of advice from a really smart cookie like Genesis we are left to dissect the problem in bits and pieces. It is really disturbing that whom, I believe, was our most intelligent poster, has been banned by the management of this board.

Genesis wasn't banned.

 

[Boogie711]

Genesis wasn't banned.

And even if he was, I'm sure many people won't lose a lot of sleep over it.

Now, he IS banned from Decostop, for being an annoying, grandstanding idiot. But Pete here on Scubaboard has explained the conditions for Genesis's return, and Genesis has chosen not to meet them.

 

[MikeFerrara]

And even if he was, I'm sure many people won't lose a lot of sleep over it.

Now, he IS banned from Decostop, for being an annoying, grandstanding idiot. But Pete here on Scubaboard has explained the conditions for Genesis's return, and Genesis has chosen not to meet them.

Wow I missed that. I didn't know TDS banned him.