What would I gain using an adjustable, balanced 2nd stage?

[ericpitar]

cost aside, does the performance improvement justify the increase in complexity of the mechanism? (would there be more points of failure?)

 

[halocline]

Yes. If anything, having a balanced adjustable lowers the likelihood of a mechanical problem with the reg. First, if it develops a slight freeflow, you can adjust it out and plan on servicing sometime soon. Second, because the spring is lighter on a balanced 2nd, the seat will tend to take less of an imprint from the orifice while the reg is in storage, and consequently is a little more resistant to developing freeflows after service.

I guess the only "failure point" would be the o-rings in the balance chamber.

 

[Luis H]

Yes. If anything, having a balanced adjustable lowers the likelihood of a mechanical problem with the reg. First, if it develops a slight freeflow, you can adjust it out and plan on servicing sometime soon. Second, because the spring is lighter on a balanced 2nd, the seat will tend to take less of an imprint from the orifice while the reg is in storage, and consequently is a little more resistant to developing freeflows after service.

I guess the only "failure point" would be the o-rings in the balance chamber.

I agree with these statements.

The additional O-ring is also very small and is a double O-ring so it would be very low chance of failure. Even if the redundant O-ring configuration leaked it would be a very small leak.

I think it is a very good design.

It will not improve the initial cracking effort, but it should improve the over all work of breathing.

And as mentioned, it should save the seat, making it performed the same for longer periods of time (between rebuild).