What is "normal" maintainance and seat life for mr22/abyss?

[84CJ7]

I see many good things posted about the mr22/abyss but I also see lots of advice about how to get them to behave and not need lots of fiddly adjustments or parts replaced. I just wondered what regular maintainance for this setup is and what parts fail at what intervals to still be considered "normal" wear (either years or number of dives). I suppose if I got this setup I would eventually upgrade it to the v32's SCS stuff. These seem pretty durable so I would also look for them used.

 

[Viscya]

My MR-22 never failed. I have it serviced every year. 100 + dives a year. If you dive more than that, then I can not comment on the service.

 

[scubatoys]

The abyss regs we got in stock now all have the poly seats in them. These are much more dependable than the rubber ones - last much longer. When you get it rebuilt, if you don't want to spring the $50 for the SCS parts, you can pay an extra buck for a poly seat vs. the rubber. With either of these solutions, you're probably looking at 200+ dives at least...

 

[rescuediver009]

Yep larry is right, I wouldn't get too caught up in replacing the seat components with the SCS one. The reg would be made like that if the existing one didn't. The Mares service program is a weird one. If I am right, they are one of the few manufacturers that does not include a diaphragm or Hp seat in their kits which I think is just cheap. As for the seat, their protocol is that it is replaced every other year. Being marked with a "1" on the off year.

 

[84CJ7]

Actually, now I found out that my LDS will be selling alot of their rental stuff on the 22nd, so I am going to see what they want for the mr22/titanium (proton was it?) setups that they have since I don't expect any high concentrations of nitrox in my future if at all. (doesnt get used much up here, you freeze to death before you have any major buildup of gasses in the blood) This should be a pretty good cold water setup for me, gonna see if I can buy the axis pro octo too (all gets seperated).
Its $100 off new I think they said though I think I can get a deal from them. Plus its guarenteed to be serviced. I wonder if it has the full warranty still? What the heck is the Mares warranty anyways?

 

[Greg Barlow]

Yep larry is right, I wouldn't get too caught up in replacing the seat components with the SCS one. The reg would be made like that if the existing one didn't. The Mares service program is a weird one. If I am right, they are one of the few manufacturers that does not include a diaphragm or Hp seat in their kits which I think is just cheap. As for the seat, their protocol is that it is replaced every other year. Being marked with a "1" on the off year.

I've been rebuilding Mares regs for more than 6 years, and have replaced a grand total of 2 diaphragms. Neither of those two were leaking, they were just starting to get bit stiff from oxidation.

Greg

 

[rescuediver009]

Greg do get me wrong, Of all the diaphragms that I have replaced, none of them were cracked either. I just think that it is cheap that a company doesn't replace the diaphragm every year. They just get stiff and it is a kind of preventative maintenance.

 

[dacordiver]

Greg do get me wrong, Of all the diaphragms that I have replaced, none of them were cracked either. I just think that it is cheap that a company doesn't replace the diaphragm every year. They just get stiff and it is a kind of preventative maintenance.

That diaphragm is designed specifically not to need replacement annually. As long as the concave side is placed up, the material is meant to last for years ( depending on use and abuse naturally) I have rebuilt hundreds of Mares and dacor regs, and I've only ever needed to replace a few. Those were off of green regs (one of them must have been left in the bilge for a while).

 

[rescuediver009]

That diaphragm is designed specifically not to need replacement annually.

Firstly I was not commenting on the lifespan of diaphragms or the versatility of the parts. I have had people bring me a conshelf reg that has never been serviced and stillworks fine.
Next, then you might be able to also explain to me why every other manufacturer includes a diaphragm in their kits.

 

[dacordiver]

Firstly I was not commenting on the lifespan of diaphragms or the versatility of the parts. I have had people bring me a conshelf reg that has never been serviced and stillworks fine.
Next, then you might be able to also explain to me why every other manufacturer includes a diaphragm in their kits.

it really depends on what material they are using for the diaphragm. The old Dacor regs included a diaphragm every year because they were using a material that didn't have a long life span. No parts that come in service kits are free. If Mares was to include a new diaphragm every year, the price of the kit would go up. Therefore, as long as the diaphragm is still good, why have dealers, and the end consumer incurr extra expense. It's a need basis part.