WOB changing with depth--how much is normal?

[Matt S.]

I notice a fair bit of difference in work of breathing as I change depth and I was wondering how much is normal for my reg, a Dive Rite RG2500.

"The first stage is the well tested Dive Rite RG1208 DIN model, a balanced diaphragm design that delivers more air than any diver could possibly need. You simply cannot over breathe this regulator. The second stage is the Dive Rite diver-adjustable RG2010, a pneumatically balanced second stage..."

It seems like it didn't do this before annual service but I could be imagining things. The difference in WOB between 100 ft and say 30 ft is quite pronounced. I don't feel like I am not getting enough air, but I do wonder if I should be noticing anything at all.

 

[billtodive]

My own gear shows a clear difference.
SP MK 25 with an S550, and an R190 octo. Always breaths easy at any depth.
Oceanic (unknown) with an Alpha 7 secondary and bottom line Sherwood octo breaths ok always.

The 1980 vintage Voit Swimmaster breaths like a wet reg at the surface and worse going down.

I'd sure have that DR looked at again. Trust your gut (and your lungs).

 

[Jimmer]

I agree, my Zeagles breathe the same from surface to 130, total confidence in them, I would get that Dive Rite looked at.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

My cheap workhorse Mares R2 (unbalanced, unsealed, piston, $135 reg) breaths the same down to 120 (the deepest I have been on thiws reg, always with >1000PSI). IMO Any modern reg should breath good at depths to 130' in normal conditions (reasonable breathing rate, moderate temps, tank > 500PSI. If not, then something is WRONG. Get it looked at.

Before I get flamed for my simple reg, I admit their are advantages to some of the more expensive regs including balanced, sealed and high flow rates under stressfull conditions. What I am saying is breathing normal at 100 feet or so is like driving on the highway at 60mph, it should not stress even an economy car if its running right.

 

[PhilEllis]

I notice a fair bit of difference in work of breathing as I change depth and I was wondering how much is normal for my reg, a Dive Rite RG2500.

"The first stage is the well tested Dive Rite RG1208 DIN model, a balanced diaphragm design that delivers more air than any diver could possibly need. You simply cannot over breathe this regulator. The second stage is the Dive Rite diver-adjustable RG2010, a pneumatically balanced second stage..."

It seems like it didn't do this before annual service but I could be imagining things. The difference in WOB between 100 ft and say 30 ft is quite pronounced. I don't feel like I am not getting enough air, but I do wonder if I should be noticing anything at all.

HI Matt. You should be unable to sense the difference in this regulator from 10 feet to "deep" feet. I think you just purchased this regulator in October of 2006. I don' t know the conditions of the last annual service, but it would be worthwhile to have it checked again. Let me know if I can help you.

Phil Ellis
DiveSports.com

 

[mikerault]

Make sure they reattached it to the proper LP port, I know on mine there is a low flow and a high flow LP port. If they reattached it say from the high flow to the low flow port that would probably result in what you are seeing.

Mike

 

[Noboundaries]

When I don't work on my own cars/trucks, I am always a little suspicious of the work mechanics do until I've run the vehicle long enough to trust the work or find their mistakes or shortcuts. I treat dive gear the same way. Just because something was "serviced" doesn't mean it was done right or something wasn't overlooked or misadjusted. If you have questions, take it back, tell them the issues, and have them check it out.

 

[TSandM]

I bought Peter a set of Zeagle regs for his doubles. He liked them, but I never did; I thought they breathed like crud, especially at depth. Turned out the cracking pressure wasn't set properly. When he had them serviced, they turned it down (too far, as it turned out, but that's been fixed, too) and now the regs breathe very differently, and much more consistently throughout the depth range.

 

[Jimmer]

I bought Peter a set of Zeagle regs for his doubles. He liked them, but I never did; I thought they breathed like crud, especially at depth. Turned out the cracking pressure wasn't set properly. When he had them serviced, they turned it down (too far, as it turned out, but that's been fixed, too) and now the regs breathe very differently, and much more consistently throughout the depth range.

Glad to hear Peter got his regs sorted out, I was always a little surprised to hear you say that you thought they breathed poorly. I have 4 Zeagle regs now, and all of them perform very smoothly and reliably for me.

 

[Matt S.]

Thanks for the info, everyone. If I am not supposed to notice any changes... I should definitely take it in. I'll check the high flow/low flow LP port issue first, though I don't think the ports used have changed since I bought the reg from Phil. (btw Phil, it's nice to be remembered!)

Lynne, where would you take a reg? I had my annual done at NWSD, but if I am suspicious that the reg wasn't optimized there... maybe I should go to Bubbles Below?