What else goes in HP port other than AI?

[LeadTurn_SD]

Hmm ok I'll keep all of that in mind. I guess I dont know if I want it to crack at 2.5 or 1.5 without testing it as is first to see what I personally prefer?

Are these simple enough to work on myself? Do they sell kits?

I havent sent the warranty card in yet because I dont know if I'm going to want to get my regs serviced every year since I'll only be to go on a trip to diving recreational a couple times a year - if I'm lucky. But perhaps being able to work on them myself is something that would work out.

You'll be happier with the lowest stable cracking effort for your primary 2nd stages (the Proton Metal in your case) and slightly less performance for the octo (the Prestige in your case).

2.5 is going to feel like the worst "dog" of a rental / student reg you've ever used; 1.5 or better will breath fantastic, and is how that reg is supposed to breath.

But it already may be tuned correctly... you really just need to have it checked.

Can you learn to do this yourself? Yes!

But while the stuff we are talking about is really simple, you do need to understand exactly what you are doing. Very tiny adjustments to the orifice and lever height (the two things you'll be working with to "tune" the 2nd stage) go a long way.... you think in terms of 1/12 of a turn... and done improperly can damage the seating surfaces, leave the 2nd stage unstable.... cause death and dismemberment... well, just kidding (sort of), but don't start fiddling with your regulator until you know what you are doing.

There is a DIY section of the board that can get you pointed in the right direction to learn how to service your own gear.

Best wishes.

 

[johnnyscience]

You'll be happier with the lowest stable cracking effort for your primary 2nd stages (the Proton Metal in your case) and slightly less performance for the octo (the Prestige in your case).

2.5 is going to feel like the worst "dog" of a rental / student reg you've ever used; 1.5 or better will breath fantastic, and is how that reg is supposed to breath.

But it already may be tuned correctly... you really just need to have it checked.

Can you learn to do this yourself? Yes!

But while the stuff we are talking about is really simple, you do need to understand exactly what you are doing. Very tiny adjustments to the orifice and lever height (the two things you'll be working with to "tune" the 2nd stage) go a long way.... you think in terms of 1/12 of a turn... and done improperly can damage the seating surfaces, leave the 2nd stage unstable.... cause death and dismemberment... well, just kidding (sort of), but don't start fiddling with your regulator until you know what you are doing.

There is a DIY section of the board that can get you pointed in the right direction to learn how to service your own gear.

Best wishes.

Ok so probably 1.2-1.5 for the Proton metal

And 1.5.-1.6 for the Prestige as the octo?

Does Mares sell service kits?

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Yes for the approximate cracking pressures. Each 2nd stage is slightly different, but those are good numbers.

No, I'm fairly sure Mares does not "officially" sell rebuild kits to the public. But (I'm not positive, but think this is true) they don't seem to aggressively prevent their dealers from doing so. I've bought rebuild kits directly from dealers.

I've been able to get Mares rebuild kits online in the past.... I think my previous "source" no longers sell the kits, but Scubatoys may (you need to call them).

And, ebay has Mares (and many other brands) rebuild kits most of the time.... I'd guess it is dealers who have found a lucrative DIY market on ebay.

If you are thinking about servicing your own, here is how I began:

I bought the "Regulator Savvy" book from Scubatools:

Regulator Savvy (Three Ring)

I bought Vance Harlow's "Scuba Regulator Maintenance And Repair":

SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR by Vance Harlow

I bought an old, well-used Mares MR-12/Voltrex on ebay; read both of the above books, bought all the tools, gauges and rebuild kits I needed, obtained the Mares repair manuals.... here: http://www.frogkick.dk/manuals/ .... and carefully rebuilt the ebay reg. Then picked up a couple more ebay regs, and rebuilt them.... then felt comfortable enough to rebuild my own MR22/Abyss.... then my wife's..... etc.

Start out slowly, spend a good deal of time reading and asking questions, and some mechanical ability (just a little) is needed.

Best wishes.