What is an "Apeks Free-Flow Control Device"?

[scubajoe]

Here's the Freeflow control device I use. It goes in-line after the second stage. I got mine as a gift, but Leisure Pro probably sells them dirt cheap.

Dude you sure have some big paws! And that is one messy workbench!

Joe

 

[padiscubapro]

I see this item listed in there 2003 catalogue, but there is no description? It looks like it is installed inline with hose to second stage. It is not part a regulator as they show it.

The FCD is a gas cutoff device it goes inline between the second stage and hose. In the US it was sold for several years by Zeagle.
There are 2 other manufactures, Oxycheq and Ambient Pressure diving.

I Have used 2 of the 3 and feedback from others on the third. The best is the oxycheq version. I still have several new Apex versions.. I exclusively use the oxycheq version.. The Apeks version eats up too many o-rings with frequent use.

The primary uses are for rebreather divers who want the ability to shut off gas going to an auto diluent addition valve, or other divers on bailout/deco regs.

A good use for Boat operators is to install on on any second stage the hang over the side of a boat (with a long hose) where the tank is on the boat (like surface supplied oxygen) this insures the tanks don;t bleed dry..

There are some caveats to using such a device.. If there is only 1 second stage a overpressure relief valve should be affixed to the 1st stage, Second stages act like pressure relief valves..

Some free flows are caused by a defective high pressure seat, if this is the cause and you shut the gas off the hose will rupture.

Most free flows though are caused by crap getting stuck in the second stage this is exactly the perfect use for it.

When these devices "fail" its usually that the don't shut off the gas. There are multiple O rings and it shouldn't cause any additional true failure points other than the device not being able to shut off the gas.

 

[RiverRat]

The FCD is a gas cutoff device it goes inline between the second stage and hose. In the US it was sold for several years by Zeagle.

Thanks for clearing that up! That was the info I was looking for and then some.

 

[TechBlue]

The FCD is a gas cutoff device it goes inline between the second stage and hose. In the US it was sold for several years by Zeagle.
There are 2 other manufactures, Oxycheq and Ambient Pressure diving.

I Have used 2 of the 3 and feedback from others on the third. The best is the oxycheq version. I still have several new Apex versions.. I exclusively use the oxycheq version.. The Apeks version eats up too many o-rings with frequent use.

The primary uses are for rebreather divers who want the ability to shut off gas going to an auto diluent addition valve, or other divers on bailout/deco regs.

A good use for Boat operators is to install on on any second stage the hang over the side of a boat (with a long hose) where the tank is on the boat (like surface supplied oxygen) this insures the tanks don;t bleed dry..

There are some caveats to using such a device.. If there is only 1 second stage a overpressure relief valve should be affixed to the 1st stage, Second stages act like pressure relief valves..

Some free flows are caused by a defective high pressure seat, if this is the cause and you shut the gas off the hose will rupture.

Most free flows though are caused by crap getting stuck in the second stage this is exactly the perfect use for it.

When these devices "fail" its usually that the don't shut off the gas. There are multiple O rings and it shouldn't cause any additional true failure points other than the device not being able to shut off the gas.

When these devices "fail" its usually that the don't shut off the gas. There are multiple O rings and it shouldn't cause any additional true failure points other than the device not being able to shut off the gas.

Joe,

That's not quite true, the outer barrel slides over holes in the inner barrel which allow the gas to flow to the regulator if the o-rings fail you can get a leak, very valid point on the OPV though. One more point there are now three manufacturers we are a heart beat away from releasing our own inline shutoff.

Chris