To service or not

[Carl 274]

Before I start I just want to say hi and to thank you for your help. I was at a moving sale and bought 3 full sets of gear. The gear is 10 or 12 years but was only used on a dive vacation to get certified. Total dives less that 10. It was all rinsed washed dried and stored inside. There is not a mark or stain on anything so I fully believe the gear is almost new old stock. I would like your thoughts should I have it serviced, dive it or something in between. I have some experience work on regulators 30+ years ago. I can do IPs and willing to buy tool. The gear is all scuba pro, atomic and dive rite I have more pictures if needed

 

[PR_SMITH]

I would service it regardless. Unless purchased from a shop that says it has just been serviced.

 

[runsongas]

10 years+ is at the point where the soft parts like orings/seats/diaphragm are possibly degrading. Would service to be safe. if you have serviced scubapro or aqualung regs 30 years ago, you should be well on your way with the atomic and scubapro mk11/mk17 as reg designs haven't changed that much.

 

[lexvil]

Is IP stabil and steady?

 

[Carl 274]

Not sure the right process to measure IP but here is what I did. Put the gauge on the low pressure side
Turned tank on ,
purged second stage 20 times
measured IP let it for an hour measured it again
Drop to 500psi measured it again

Atomic b2. 138 psi. After unchanged. 500 psi 130 psi
Mk11. 140psi. Unchanged at 500psi. 145 psi
Mk 117. 135psi. 137 after hr. At 500 psi 142 psi

 

[johndiver999]

I’d dive it, not that you should

 

[lexvil]

I’d dive it, not that you should

Me too

 

[Angelo Farina]

Never try fixing what is working properly...
One of my regulators (Scubapro MK5 plus 109 modified to BA) was serviced by me in 1990.
Then I used it only for summer holidays (one month during summer) for 14 years, without needing any service.
That is 30 dives/year concentrated in one month, then rinsing and storing for 11 months.
After 14 years, some bubbles were escaping from the holes in 1st stage, and the second stage needed a quarter of turn of the knob for avoiding hissing.
The reg was still breathing great, but those symptoms signalled me it was time to service again.
If your new regs do not exhibit any symptoms, I would not service them.

 

[boat sju]

. . . but it's always fun to take stuff apart.

 

[dlofting]

. . . but it's always fun to take stuff apart.

That could be my personal motto, although I'm getting a bit more selective as I age.