Newbie Question regarding "Balanced Regulators"

[Chilkie]

Could someone please explain what is meant by the term "balanced regulator"? I am unaware of the difference between one that is balanced and one that is not. Thanks!

[DMWiz]

You can read this little article on ST's website for a more in-depth explanation, but the gist is, a balanced regulator breathes the same at any depth and at practically any remaining tank pressure vs. an unbalanced regulator which becomes harder (or there's a noticeable difference) in the breathing once the remaining tank pressure is low.

[Chilkie]

Thanks for enlightening me DMwhiz. One less unanswered newbie question rattling around in my brain.I appreciate it.

[Vlane]

Thanks for that link DMWiz. Been seeing unbalanced/balanced and wondered about it but never thought about it. Just bought me an Alpha 8 sport, unbalanced but don't think i'm going to be going deep enough to notice anytime soon.

[chl]

Originally Posted by Chilkie

Could someone please explain what is meant by the term "balanced regulator"? I am unaware of the difference between one that is balanced and one that is not. Thanks!

I don't know if it's on the ScubaToys forum. If you search for the Mares forum on the ScubaBoard website, it has a youtube video explaining the difference between unbalanced & balanced regulators. The video is very good about explaining the mechanics in achieving a balanced first stage regulator.

It's been years since I've shopped for a regulator. Do manufacturers still make unbalanced first stages?

CHL

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by chl

It's been years since I've shopped for a regulator. Do manufacturers still make unbalanced first stages?

CHL

There still are a number of them out there. They are cheaper to manufacture and a bit lower cost so some divers will buy an lower priced unbalanced reg to save money.

[awap]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

There still are a number of them out there. They are cheaper to manufacture and a bit lower cost so some divers will buy an lower priced unbalanced reg to save money.

I'm not sure they are much cheaper to manufacture. They do have many similar parts (to balanced designs) with similar manufacturing tolerances. It may be more a matter of what the market will bare than of manufacturing cost.

But, they are also much simpler, mechanically, so they have the potential to achieve higher reliability at the cost of a little performance. An unbalanced piston does not have any dynamic o-rings exposed to high pressure. The high pressure piston o-ring in the balanced piston design is often it's Achilles' heel. So, in some applications where a little extra reliability is more important than a little higher performance, an unbalanced piston 1st stage may be preferable.

[timc]

Ok, so I understand what a balanced reg is, but I and finding some product descritpions for regulators which state they are "over balanced" (Oceanic Alpha 8 CDX-5) or some are pneumatically balanced. Can anyone explain what they are?

[timc]

Disregard my last about pneumatically balanced, I've got it now. I am still clueless about "over balanced".

[scubastud]

Please, this is a good forum, never hesitate at a so called "newbie" question.
This isn't the (other forum), we may tease eachother and stuff , but I have yet to read a post where someone is critisized for being new to diving.

Remember.. "There are no stupid questions, only stupid people" - Mr. Garrison, South Park.