want to know reg inside out...

[Homunculus]

hi all,
does anyone know of an excellent place to look at the internal mechanisms of various regulators. I want to understand in great details how they work, what are the phisical differences between diaphragn - piston, balanced - unbalanced, etc. I searched a bit but could only find some basic info with simple animation. Is it a trade secret?
any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[redacted]

www.airspeedpress.com $50 well spent.

 

[paulwlee]

The above-linked Vance Harlow's Regulator book is excellent, and also delves into a lot of the practical aspects and how to's.

Another book, linked below, has less of the in-your-garage type knowledge, but is very comprehensive in the workings and adjustment methods/whys for various types of regulators.
http://www.scubatools.com/RegSavvy.html#anRegSavvy

They are complementary, and both well worth purchasing for anyone interested in learning how regulators work. (I have both!)

If you have to choose between the two...
For the DIY'er the former should be more helpful. For someone who already services regulators, or someone who wants to really understand everything about SCUBA regulators the latter will be more appropriate.

 

[telemonster]

hi all,
does anyone know of an excellent place to look at the internal mechanisms of various regulators. I want to understand in great details how they work, what are the phisical differences between diaphragn - piston, balanced - unbalanced, etc. I searched a bit but could only find some basic info with simple animation. Is it a trade secret?
any suggestions are appreciated.

I found service manuals to a large number of regulators online, but unfortunatley they are mainly spec and adjustment stat sheets. One or two manuals actually have a real chunk of info, like a full service manual, which give insight. The others just have the numbers to dial in. There are special tools required.

Outside of a book or two, people get all touchy about it. The lack of knowledge I guess forces people to get their equipment properly serviced. If everyone knew how to adjust things, they might just keep tweaking it around to avoid getting things properly services (parts replaced) and get themselves in trouble.

When I think back to my OW course, the majority of the people had a hard time with the tables, so yea, it's probably best that everyone isn't messing around with the regulator.

 

[tc]

Not too much out there from the manufacturers, they want you to attend their service seminars in order to get the materials and purchase repair parts. Liability concerns and protecting the dive shops/ service outfits are the most likely motivations.

 

[spectrum]

Yea Vance's book is the way to go. Lot's of general explanation with attention to unique models.

Pete