a specific regulator maintenance question

[coralcrazed]

I plan on buying some equipment... well most of my equipment. a reg,octo,guages,computer,bc the question is... I dive exclusively on vacation and will not get to use the new stuff until the summer when I go away... If I buy the equipment now and say I don't go away for more than one year later. do I still need to get the regs serviced? perhaps this is a question for larry and anyone else who feel qualified to answer this. Thanks

[subsur]

well, if you want to keep "lifetime warranty", then the answer is YES - you have to do the service. it's like a car and oil change.

[quasimoto]

You might find out that parts for life isn't that big of a deal especially if the regs are going to sit in the closet for, say two years. You pay $50 a year total of $100. Or you pay say $75 for just when you need it.
But yes you do need to service your regs especially if they are going to sit. This is worse on a reg than diving it.

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

I plan on buying some equipment... well most of my equipment. a reg,octo,guages,computer,bc the question is... I dive exclusively on vacation and will not get to use the new stuff until the summer when I go away... If I buy the equipment now and say I don't go away for more than one year later. do I still need to get the regs serviced? perhaps this is a question for larry and anyone else who feel qualified to answer this. Thanks

Personally, I'd wait until a few months before your trip to buy, then go play in a pool and take the trip.

As for servicing regs. The politically correct answer is 1 year or what the manufacturer says. (Salvo and Dive Rite are 2 years, atomic might be as well not sure though).

I, on the other hand, have several first stages in the 3-5 year range. I service those when they need it. (I monitor IP's and do the service myself). On the 2nd stages, every couple years is about the most I'd want them to go. They are exposed to the elements and can get 'yucky' over time. This is also the piece you put in your mouth so put it in perspective there.

Now, if you want the extended service window, don't worry to much about the first stage other than keeping is dry and clean. Definitley inspect each year and before you use it for damaged hoses and for IP creep. For the 2nd stages, look online and see if your reg is one where you can release the pressure on the seat. If you can, it can be stored much longer with no loss of performance. If it can't releive pressure on the seat then that seat can take a 'set' which starts down the service me sooner cycle.

Whatver route you take - the idle or service. Make sure to test your gear a couple weeks in advance of your trip in a local pool. Most reg issues come right after servicing or from gross neglect. You want to know if you have an issue before leaving.

[coralcrazed]

so can i assume from what you are all telling me that when you buy a reg from a store and that reg has sat for more than one year on the shelf in the store, the stroe will service it prior to sending it out to you?

and what da'heck is an IP?

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

so can i assume from what you are all telling me that when you buy a reg from a store and that reg has sat for more than one year on the shelf in the store, the stroe will service it prior to sending it out to you?

and what da'heck is an IP?

First, an IP is the intermediate pressure. Its the pressue the first stage steps tank pressure. The 2nd stage then brings it down to ambient. On most regs, the Intermediate pressure is around 120-150psi.

As for the second question about regs sitting around for a year or more on the shelf somewhere, I doubt a shop services them prior to sending it with the customer. I mean its new right....

[coralcrazed]

so tht brings me to my first quesion... If I get it new and wait more than a year to dive it. Do I need to service it? I'm confused.

[quasimoto]

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

so tht brings me to my first quesion... If I get it new and wait more than a year to dive it. Do I need to service it? I'm confused.

Yes, have it serviced. This is just a personal opinion. In_cavediver does bring up a good point about the reg sitting on the shelf at the LDS.

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by quasimoto

Yes, have it serviced. This is just a personal opinion. In_cavediver does bring up a good point about the reg sitting on the shelf at the LDS.

This is good advice. When in doubt, inspect and service your gear. (be sure to verify functionality though prior to any real diving). Anxiety over small things such as this contributes to stress during dives. A goal is to remove as much stress as possible when diving, both for enjoyment and safety.

[quasimoto]

Originally Posted by in_cavediver

This is good advice. When in doubt, inspect and service your gear. (be sure to verify functionality though prior to any real diving). Anxiety over small things such as this contributes to stress during dives. A goal is to remove as much stress as possible when diving, both for enjoyment and safety.

Good point. Do a dive before your vacation just to check out your gear. Breathing off it at the surface doesn't mean that it will work at depth either.