Servicing...

[cyclical]

A few questions for you guys....





So how often should you have a regulator serviced?





Do you usually service it at this interval? or do you wait longer?



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<DIV>Post your answers below </DIV>

[reservecops]

Most manufacturers warranties require you to have it serviced annually.

[Joew]

You shoud follow the manufacturer's recommended service interval. It's your most important piece of equipment, and you want to make sure it is always working properly. Also, many manufacturers require it to be eligible for their free parts program and warranty. I'm a pretty cheap guy, but reg service is one thing I'd never skimp out on.

[Blindref757]

I might be playing devils advocate below...and I might not. Let's debate it!!![img]smileys/smiley15.gif[/img]


Why tear open a perfectly good regulator? I have several friends who have regs that are 5+ years old, and have never been broken down. I'll pay for the $15 parts kit and probably get 3 years on mine before I have it serviced...and by then, I'll probably have something different. I take very good care of my equipment and store it inside the house. I trust my life on the quality far exceeding the expectations of the corporate attorneys. That "annual service" trick is just so retailers can make money.

[reservecops]

Originally Posted by Blindref757

I might be playing devils advocate below...and I might not. Let's debate it!!![img]smileys/smiley15.gif[/img]Why tear open a perfectly good regulator? I have several friends who have regs that are 5+ years old, and have never been broken down.

Heck, why not drive your car 25,000 miles between oil changes? I mean, what the heck does the manufacturer know about it? All they want is your money (to do an oil change), right?[img]smileys/smiley32.gif[/img]

[Kimmie]

I take mine in every year for servicing depending on how much I've used them

[Illini_Fan]

To completely steer off-topic, the oil change analogy might just prove blindref757's point. The quality of the reg might just justify a longer interval. Personally i'm too new, so I'll go with Oceanic's recommendation for my reg, but go get back to the oil-change; my Nissan is recommened at 3,750 miles by Nissan, my BMW is every 15,000 milesaccording to BMW -- note that both exceed the 3,000 mile that the oil change industry has drilled into our heads.

[Blindref757]

Does it "hurt" the car to go 5,000 miles between changes? Is it provable? Do driving condition matter? What breaks down faster, oil or rubber?

Do DIVING conditions matter? How can a "one size fits all" service policy be accurate? A divemaster in Cozumel, doing fairly deep dives in saltwater, on a daily basis has the same service interval as a weekend warrior in North Texas who only dives the quarry to 40 feet of fresh water--according to the warranty. Wouldn't time under water be a better indicator for service intervals? Why do annual service on a reg that sits in an air-conditioned closet for 350 days a year?[img]smileys/smiley15.gif[/img]

[awap]

I inspect my regulators frequenly, clean them thoroughly after each salt water trip, and service my own regs when there is a problem. I'm getting 3 years or more between a full "annual service" or at least 100 dives. Mfgrs are safesiding their service recommendation while also helping the dive shops with service business. But if you do a poor job caring for myour regs, then an annual service is probably not enough.
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<DIV></DIV>I remember when recommended oil change interval was 1500 to 2000 miles. Back then, I believe regs were serviced annually. Do you think oil improved but regulator parts (seats and o-rings) did not?

[cummings66]

My Jeep says I can change the oil every 7,000 miles.
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<DIV>In regards to regs, I believe if you dive salt water that getting it serviced often is a good idea, in fact my LDS gives you free service on regs bought from him if you dive in salt water. I.e. when you return from the trip drop the reg off and he'll take it apart and clean it up for free, not part of the normal yearly service schedule.</DIV>
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<DIV>I think it's a good idea. For fresh water after 2 years my regs still look like new on the inside. I think it depends on how you dive and maintain the gear.</DIV>
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<DIV>I believe the maker of the reg wants to avoid liability and thus the warning about voiding warranties if you don't do the maintenance.</DIV>