Stuck purge button with HOG D1 and other gripes.

[LeadTurn_SD]

I've got the HOG D1 second stages and they've free flowed on me on a number of occasions:

1. The purge button is just that - a button. When sand gets inside the button housing, the button can be depressed but will stay depressed due to the grit not allowing it to come back out. Basically this creates a free flow situation. Had this happen twice in 12 dives. Just had to madly fiddle with the button to get it to come back out.

My rental regulators were cheapo Oceanic Alpha and the purge button is more or less a flexible plastic covering over the entire regulator face. Nothing for sand to get into.

2. When diving down headfirst bubbles leak out of the regulator when it's in my mouth and I'm not inhaling.

Any thoughts or comments?

1. Most 2nd stages with a button-type purge can be fouled with sand or grit. All it takes is a grain of sand lodged in just the right way to do it. If your 2nd stage has been dropped in the sand (on the beach while gearing up for example), you need to check it for proper function before entering the water. If fact, this is just good practice.

Also, make sure that your 2nd stage button is not sticking at all when completely clean. If it is, see stano's post. Every once in awhile, you will find purge buttons with a little extra plastic left over from the molding process that was "missed" when the reg was assembled.

2. With high performance 2nd stages that are tuned "close to the edge", there can a slight freeflow in certain positions in the water. This is related to "case geometry fault", and effects most 2nd stages. It is due to the relative position of the center of the diaphragm, the exhaust valve's position, and the distance from the edge of the exhaust valve to the diaphragm.... and I'm realizing I cannot explain it without pictures Anyway, as others already mentioned, if you find the 2nd stage freeflowing slightly in certain postions, just turn the adjuster knob 1/2 turn clockwise and see if that "fixes" the problem

Best wishes

 

[stairman]

The company as I understand it, is aware of the purge buttons and sand and are comimg out with a different faceplate to remedy the problem. Diverite faceplates just happen to work fine for this problem but I doubt HOG wants people to have to do that. I know one guy who has though. As for the freeflow, you could have the IP checked on it by a dive shop to see if its too high and have them detune it a bit or push the lever away from you to the predive mode and ease it back. I dont own any but have friends who do.