Where to buy regulator parts?

[DivingCRNA]

I have a Dacor Viper Metal regulator and dacor Viper Octo. I purchased them in 2001 and have been unhappy with the folks servicing them. So, I want to do it myself. I plan on getting the Airspeed press book, but I need a source for parts for my first stage, second stage, and the octo.

Anyone know where to order them?

Thanks!

 

[redacted]

Best long term solution is to find shops that would rather do some business with you than none. They do exist. In the mean time, check ebay and ask everywhere you can. Much of the needed work can be done with generic parts. O-ring are readily available. I'm not familiar with Dacor but even HP and LP seats often can be replaced with generic or other brand parts.

 

[DivingCRNA]

Well, we have 2 shops in town and I do not care for either. One only wants to deal with Oceanic because, guess what, they sell Oceanic. The other one shipped my and my wife's regs to a big city for service last spring and the service SUCKED. My wife's reg actually breathed harder. Everything else is 2 hours away.

I can do this. I take care of our anesthesia machines at work. I just need a parts source.

I am thinking of switching to Zeagle just to get parts easily.

 

[MSilvia]

I am thinking of switching to Zeagle just to get parts easily.

Unless they've changed policy, you won't be able to get Zeagle parts any easier... http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=994423&postcount=2

 

[redacted]

Well, we have 2 shops in town and I do not care for either. One only wants to deal with Oceanic because, guess what, they sell Oceanic. The other one shipped my and my wife's regs to a big city for service last spring and the service SUCKED. My wife's reg actually breathed harder. Everything else is 2 hours away.

I can do this. I take care of our anesthesia machines at work. I just need a parts source.

I am thinking of switching to Zeagle just to get parts easily.

Switching is a good option. Scubatoys.com sells Zeagle and has indicated he will sell repair parts. I believe ScottZeagle acknowledged ST's position. Dive-rite is another option.

Unless you really want to switch, why don't you talk to your local guy and tell him how dissatisfied you were with the service and that you want to DIY. Since he is shipping it out anyway, he wouldn't lose much if anything by assisting you. See if he will provide suitable instruction at a reasonable cost. If he agrees, you are in business. If he declines, thank him and move on.

This link takes you to the full discussion: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=90210&highlight=parts

Check posts 73 & 81. I couldn't find Scott's subsequent post in this thread so I'm either halucinating or it may have been in another thread.

OK, It wasn't the drugs. Try post 47: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=1091646&highlight=parts#post1091646

 

[DivingCRNA]

Switching is a good option. Scubatoys.com sells Zeagle and has indicated he will sell repair parts. I believe ScottZeagle acknowledged ST's position. Dive-rite is another option.

Unless you really want to switch, why don't you talk to your local guy and tell him how dissatisfied you were with the service and that you want to DIY. Since he is shipping it out anyway, he wouldn't lose much if anything by assisting you. See if he will provide suitable instruction at a reasonable cost. If he agrees, you are in business. If he declines, thank him and move on.

The one shop is an Oceanic dealer, and I have not interest in Oceanic. I also cannot stand the manager of the shop. Which is too bad, because they have a good pool.

The other shop is the one who shipped out my regs to a crappy servicer. They only sell Scubapro, which I am OK with, but they have REALLY inflated prices and some good egos too.

I would rather do it myslef and know it was done right. I am willing to make that effort.

I guess the real question is: What regulator options are out there for someone who wants to self service? I guess scubatoys will ship kits on Zeagle. That is cool. Can you get parts on other brands as well?

 

[redacted]

I dive old Scubapro regs but they are probably not really suited to cold water with nitrox. Apeks seems to get a lot of support from cold water divers (glad I live in TX). Neither support parts sales to divers but there are planty of leaks which make parts and documentation reawsonably available for those that go looking.

I believe subatoys basically said he will sell parts for any reg he carries. Apparently there is nothing in dealer agreement restricting it. Myth and greed seems to drive to refusal of most shops that refuse such sales.

 

[Creed]

The one shop is an Oceanic dealer, and I have not interest in Oceanic. I also cannot stand the manager of the shop. Which is too bad, because they have a good pool.

The other shop is the one who shipped out my regs to a crappy servicer. They only sell Scubapro, which I am OK with, but they have REALLY inflated prices and some good egos too.

I would rather do it myslef and know it was done right. I am willing to make that effort.

I guess the real question is: What regulator options are out there for someone who wants to self service? I guess scubatoys will ship kits on Zeagle. That is cool. Can you get parts on other brands as well?

Well, I've had good luck getting Conshelf series kits. You can usually pick up a good set on ebay for less than $100, and the rebuild kits only run about $30 or so, if you can find a dealer. It took me a bit, but I found a guy who can order them for me. And, you can get the Conshelf XIV rebuild manual online, from Aqualung.
Conshelfs are easy to rebuild and pretty darn tough. The only issue I see is running out of ports. The XIV(the newest reg I dive and maintain) has 3 lp and 1 hp port. No problem for me, but you might want more. I even dive with XIs, which are 1 hp, 2 lp.

 

[DivingCRNA]

Unless you really want to switch, why don't you talk to your local guy and tell him how dissatisfied you were with the service and that you want to DIY. Since he is shipping it out anyway, he wouldn't lose much if anything by assisting you. See if he will provide suitable instruction at a reasonable cost. If he agrees, you are in business. If he declines, thank him and move on.

I forgot to tell this part of the story. I called the shop and told them what the problem was. I told them that I did not want my money back or anything, but they needed to know what was going on where they sent regs for service. Just so none of their costumers get injured or killed.

Instead of focusing on solving the problem, they got defensinve and told me many times that they never had trouble with those people before. I said that I didn't care, but they needed to solve their problem. Upon opening the first stage it was clear that the servicer never even opened the first stage and they broke a part on the second stage. They gave no indication that they even thought there really was a problem.

I got them reserviced at another shop. They did it right, but charged a gazillion dollars. Just like they do for everything else. They are the home of the $100 mask, $200 fins and $75 snorkel.

 

[ZzzKing]

Well, I've had good luck getting Conshelf series kits. You can usually pick up a good set on ebay for less than $100, and the rebuild kits only run about $30 or so, if you can find a dealer.

I just had my Conshelf 21 serviced and I'm pretty sure they used a first stage kit that fits both Conshelfs and Aqualung Titans, which are still very much in production so you shouldn't have a problem finding parts there for a long time. The second stage kits were very inexpensive, only $8, but probably not still used in Titans. Still, authorized dealers have them so you should be able to get hold of them too. Got the regs on ebay for $45 w/ octo.