Two R190s but different parts?

[AquaNSun]

Hi all, I got 2 Scubapro R190s from ebay and took them apart to see inside. I noticed some differences in parts between the two regs and curious if they were different versions or somebody had modified them from other regulators? I checked my schematic diagram and didn't see those new parts in official SP documents.

Sorry that I didn't have a camera today so I was using a webcam to take those pictures and they turned out bad.

I attached some pictures to show the differences and hope that somebody could help me to solve my questions. My observations were that the unknown parts actually fit pretty good on the valve body and they seemed to be fine.


Here are the differences:

Poppet stems : Old=part plastic, New= All brass;

Inserts : Old=white nylon & longer, New=Brown nylon & shorter;

Washers : Old=metallic, New=Brown nylon;

Springs : Old=lighter color, New=darker color.

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[redacted]

R190s have been around for quite a while and lots of modifications have been made over its life. Some of the changes have slight performance or reliability (durability) implications but none are necessary for a safe, effective regulator. I'm also fairly sure that all parts varieties are interchangeable. In both your regs, you have the newest metal body which is a good thing.

 

[halocline]

I think you might have it reversed; the all-metal poppet looks like it's from an older reg. SP has moved from metal to plastic parts steadily, rarely the other way around. I could be wrong. Both my R190s, one of which is only a few years old, have the plastic/metal poppet and the white insert.

As awap says, it probably does not matter much.

 

[AquaNSun]

Thanks Awap and you're right that having a metal valve body is a good thing. I have a chance to look inside both the Alpha 7 and R190 in which both are simple unbalanced 2nd stages. The R190 has an actual (independent) valve body that sits inside the housing whereas the Alpha 7 is integrated into the case itself.

If the housing cracked, you would still have a useable and working valve of the R190 (but not for the Alpha 7). The production cost of Oceanic is lower but thanks SP for keeping quality in mind. In fact I think one can make a custom case around the R190 valve body for a small,streamline, emergency 2nd stage where you just press the lever and sip air from it.

I found a washer that would fit the R190 from Mcmaster and I can use the same washer on both sides of the lever arm. I think nylon washer would be good in plastic to brass surface (lever arm) application. I have the option of using stainless steel washer but not sure if the friction would wear out the lever arm eventually?

I examined closely of the R190 parts and confident that they are fine but it's interesting that Mattboy pointed out which is newer?

The R190 I got is shown in the picture if that helps to id it.

 

[redacted]

The 2-piece poppet is the newer version of the poppet. But the all metal (chromed brass) is the newer version of the housing.

 

[halocline]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don;t see a difference between the poppet housings in the first two photos; aren't they both all brass?

 

[redacted]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don;t see a difference between the poppet housings in the first two photos; aren't they both all brass?

Yes, they are both the same and at least third generation. Mine is one generation previous and it was a brass housing with a plastic coating/cover. Eventually, the bonding would leak and then corrosion would develop between the two layers and eventually the plastic would break trying to unscrew the body from the housing (but you can epoxy it back together.). That version was originally associated with the 2-piece poppet with the plastic sleeve. An earlier version had the 1-piece poppet and what I believe may have been a solid plastic housing. I suspect it was vulnerable to damage when threaded onto the metal demand valve body.

 

[knowone]

I enjoy your custom case idea, think about it, conduit, a couple of caps? I don't know its your idea. Youre washers are there for poppet seat and spring tension adjustment. Different thicknesses are available. They only go how they are supposed to and will basically never wear out, eventually?

 

[Couv]

That is pretty much the same assembly in the Air 2 and 108.