OK here goes. Actually for the most part my LDS is straight up, but every now and then they tick me off. Just got my Apeks regs back from service. I actually have some rebuild kits but have not gotten around to gearing up with all the tools before my 1st stage malfunctioned. As I was in the middle of Rescue training I had them rebuild 'em. Looks like they're on top of it, all parts in a bag, $50.00 for one 1st and two 2nd kits but the total bill was $133.00. That's not the issue, but the little "note" and "lesson" I got with the regs is. Bottom line, HP seat issue, IP creep, FIX THEM, I PAID YOU, don't give me any of your scare tactic BS. For entertainment here's the letter, am I over-reacting? I bought these new at LP and they have about 35 dives on them. IP started to creep one day and I did not dive them, never opened them up since LP. Always rinse them, etc. etc. This guy is convinced I or someone tried to rebuild them and screwed up, argggggggg
Your regulator(s) were in sad shape. The 1st stage intermediate pressure was well over 300 psi (normal is 135) I knew this..., beyond the working pressure of the low pressure hoses. This was certainly caused by some form of user abuse, probably rapid turn-ons of the tank valve that damaged the high pressure seat (I'll give him that). There was (is) a scratch across the face of the high pressure seat. This may also have been a significant contributing factor. The scratch was not there when the regulator left the factory or any qualified service person (how the hell does he know?). You were on the verge of having a hose burst How are you at doing CESA's? (Give me a break...)
Once the 2nd stage was provided with the proper inlet pressure, it's opening effort required 2.5 "H2O, vs. .8" - 1.4". It would not have qualified as a poor octopus (yeah, that's why you're working on it ahxxx..). This degree of breathing resistance would not be expected from normal use or time in service (it would if the HP seat had a problem). Tampering by an unqualified person would be my guess. This is not to mention the sand inside the case. Since the octopus had sand in it also, I rebuilt both. Please see the attached regulator care sheet. While your 1st stage doesn't have ambient ports to rinse, the rest of the advise is essential to long service life and safe diving.
And, avoid incompetent tampering with the internals.
Signed
A simple description of the problem/rebuild would have been fine for me......Looks like I'm ordering a few tools from Peterbuilt.....
Your regulator(s) were in sad shape. The 1st stage intermediate pressure was well over 300 psi (normal is 135) I knew this..., beyond the working pressure of the low pressure hoses. This was certainly caused by some form of user abuse, probably rapid turn-ons of the tank valve that damaged the high pressure seat (I'll give him that). There was (is) a scratch across the face of the high pressure seat. This may also have been a significant contributing factor. The scratch was not there when the regulator left the factory or any qualified service person (how the hell does he know?). You were on the verge of having a hose burst How are you at doing CESA's? (Give me a break...)
Once the 2nd stage was provided with the proper inlet pressure, it's opening effort required 2.5 "H2O, vs. .8" - 1.4". It would not have qualified as a poor octopus (yeah, that's why you're working on it ahxxx..). This degree of breathing resistance would not be expected from normal use or time in service (it would if the HP seat had a problem). Tampering by an unqualified person would be my guess. This is not to mention the sand inside the case. Since the octopus had sand in it also, I rebuilt both. Please see the attached regulator care sheet. While your 1st stage doesn't have ambient ports to rinse, the rest of the advise is essential to long service life and safe diving.
And, avoid incompetent tampering with the internals.
Signed
A simple description of the problem/rebuild would have been fine for me......Looks like I'm ordering a few tools from Peterbuilt.....
