regulator service phobia

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by UofTOrange

Is submerging the reg part of the repair process? It would seem like it should be. Not saying that would catch everything, but it could catch a lot

That's what I do. When I have my regs serviced, I demand that the service tech dive them at least 10 times, at various depths, down to recreational limits. If he's still alive after those 10 dives, I pick up my regs and pay him. If they fail, I go retrieve my regs off the bottom and take them to someone else for service.

[Crimediver]

I work on my own gear. I stick to maily US Divers / Aqualung and Zeagle regs and parts may be obtained on the net.

[UofTOrange]

Originally Posted by mm2002

That's what I do. When I have my regs serviced, I demand that the service tech dive them at least 10 times, at various depths, down to recreational limits. If he's still alive after those 10 dives, I pick up my regs and pay him. If they fail, I go retrieve my regs off the bottom and take them to someone else for service.

lol. No, I meant literally just putting it in water to see if it free flows, etc

[Tassie Diver]

There's another, more controversial school of thought... if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Here's the rub, most decent quality regs that get serviced annually, don't really need it. Yes, it's a subjective opinion and ymmv, but generally it's not too far away from the truth.

Get yourself an IP gauge. If the IP performance is within limits and the reg is still breathing well, don't service it. Do this for three or four years, then buy a new reg. The $$ saved from not servicing will almost pay for the new reg and the balance is picked up from selling cheap on e-Bay!

That's my theory and I'm sticking to it. Of course, there are a bunch of issues with warranty etc, but hey, a new reg every few years, essentially for free, can't be a bad thing!

Cheers

TD.

[davidstealey3]

one of the hardest thing with servicing regs is getting a good seat with the seals.

you might have the seats set when you do the initial tuning, but after a little use the have formed the final grove, and now you will get a little leak.

they make some optional equipment to do this initial seating, but a lot of places dont but them.

i do second the post about buying an IP guage. you can get one from Scuba Tools that will fit any low pressure inflator. check to see if your reg is within the limits set forth by the manufactor, and if not adjust. its not hard, just have to know what you are looking at.
there are also some books you can buy to learn about regulator maintance. they are Regulator Savy wich can be bought at scubatools, and Scuba Regulator maintance and repair by vance harlow and can be bought at Airspeed Press Homepage - Books For Serious Divers

after reading these you should be able to make any tuning adjustment to your regs if nessacary, but you should dive them at least once before any trip.

hope this helps you all

[Splitlip]

**** happens. No matter the tech.

As AWAP says we always need to inspect and test our regs after service.

I have 4 regs and always service them locally. Never had any issues but for a mouth piece which was not zip tied and a slight free flow on a second twice.

I have seen a 2nd stage blow off as soon as the diver fired up the system.

Yeah, **** happens.