travel - disconnect 2nd stages?

[jva]

I'm flying tomorrow and just packed my diving equipment and when I came at the not so greatly fitting regulator I thought about the possibility of disconnecting the 2nd stages for a better fit (still have the caps and bolts somewhere)..

Right now I've just padded around the connections to the first stage and of course there are hose protectors.. So is this enough? Is disconnecting them for the flight a bad idea? Or a good idea?

(I've (dis)connected 2nd stages before, but never travelled with a regulator)

 

[redacted]

I always disconnect any hoses that keep thing from packing flat. Reattach finger tight and then just a little bit more with a wrench. Just enough that you can't undo them by hand is all that it takes.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I'm flying tomorrow and just packed my diving equipment and when I came at the not so greatly fitting regulator I thought about the possibility of disconnecting the 2nd stages for a better fit (still have the caps and bolts somewhere)..

Right now I've just padded around the connections to the first stage and of course there are hose protectors.. So is this enough? Is disconnecting them for the flight a bad idea? Or a good idea?

(I've (dis)connected 2nd stages before, but never travelled with a regulator)

I figure that you will have two concerns if you separate the second stage from its hose.

1. Dirt and debris. Obviously you will want to keep any dirt and debris out of both the hose and the second stage, and off of any O-Rings. Don't forget; lint from your clothing is still debris, as is anything else that may be bouncing around in your suitcase.

2. Damage to the second stage body. Many plastic body second stages are easily cracked if you tighten the hose in a manner not appropriate to the design of the body. This is a rather cumbersome way of saying, if you tighten the second stage hose onto its fitting and that fitting tightens itself into the plastic body, the fitting may crack the plastic body. If your hose connects to the metal internal workings of the regulator and there is a hex nut on that fitting, make sure you use TWO WRENCHES to both tighten and loosen the hose. you want the hose to make a good connedtion to the metal fitting, and the metal fitting to make the connection to the plastic body. A cracked regulator will not work properly, and you may find yourself spending some time and cash to get it fixed while you are in some far off exotic location.

In short, just be smart about it and don't create any new problems for yourself. Have fun.

Mark Vlahos

 

[jva]

Thanks you both.

I figure that you will have two concerns if you separate the second stage from its hose.

1. Dirt and debris. Obviously you will want to keep any dirt and debris out of both the hose and the second stage, and off of any O-Rings. Don't forget; lint from your clothing is still debris, as is anything else that may be bouncing around in your suitcase.

Yes, that is one concern, I have to check, but I think the caps cover the o-rings as well. Maybe I'll put something else around it for protection and go for it.

2. Damage to the second stage body. Many plastic body second stages are easily cracked if you tighten the hose in a manner not appropriate to the design of the body. This is a rather cumbersome way of saying, if you tighten the second stage hose onto its fitting and that fitting tightens itself into the plastic body, the fitting may crack the plastic body. If your hose connects to the metal internal workings of the regulator and there is a hex nut on that fitting, make sure you use TWO WRENCHES to both tighten and loosen the hose. you want the hose to make a good connedtion to the metal fitting, and the metal fitting to make the connection to the plastic body. A cracked regulator will not work properly, and you may find yourself spending some time and cash to get it fixed while you are in some far off exotic location.

I wasn't planning on disconnecting the second stage.. just the hose from the first stage. Or did I misunderstand?

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I wasn't planning on disconnecting the second stage.. just the hose from the first stage. Or did I misunderstand?

I figured you were planning to separate the hose from the second stage. No big deal. Just don't overtighten the hose when you put it back on the first stage. Are you planning on putting the port plugs back in the first stage to keep out debris? If not, that would be a good idea.

Mark Vlahos

 

[Hoosier]

If you have a hose cap and additional port plug, you are a worry-free. Otherwise, simply use the cooking wrap with a darn cheap rubber band. Just make your life simple. You are on vacation, aren't you?

 

[jva]

You are on vacation, aren't you?

More or less .. Can't wait ..