How did you learn to service regs?

[jnickell]

Reading some recent posts on regulator service intervals and self service, I was wondering how everyone got comfortable servicing their own gear. I am mechanically inclined and would eventually be comfortable servicing my own gear but where do I start. I don’t have any old regs to practice on like some people have learned on. Would PADI’s equipment specialist course be worth the $80-100? Any other experiences and advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

John

[St.jimmy]

The PADI class says nothing about service AT ALL. try reading SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR by Vance Harlow

[awap]

Harlow's book is a great place to start. Lots of other documentation may be avialable depending on what regs you are talking about. It is also pretty easy to pick up an older set of regs on ebay but it really is not necessary. Where are you located?

[Ryanh1801]

Originally Posted by St.jimmy

The PADI class says nothing about service AT ALL. try reading SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR by Vance Harlow

Thanks for the link, might have to order that this summer.

[BSea]

I took 2 courses at my LDS, but they had a regional equipment specialist come & give the class. The 1st one covered basic regulator overhauls. The 2nd class went more in depth with more advanced models. It wasn't a published class, but more of something that was done because people expressed an interest in servicing their own gear. After that, I worked on my own gear at the shop, so I could ask questions. Then I started servicing some older gear just for fun. I've restored several regs from the 60's & 70's.

[Crimediver]

I started with older regs like the Conshelfs. Not much to it. I got hold of the manuals and made a few tools. The Airspeed press book is good. I believe that most folks who are handy with tools and can read a manual have little to worry about.

[SkuaSeptember]

I teach out of a LDS and went through a manufacturers technician class. Some models are very easy to service and some are tougher. I've now balanced my purchases between performance and ease of service.

[halocline]

I read the Harlow book and attended the AWAP school of regulator repair; I can highly recommend both!

[jnickell]

I am located in Lakewood, Colorado (a suburb of Denver). I will be working on Oceanic and Zeagle regulators. Thanks for the link to the book it looks very helpful. How hard will parts kits be to come by for these regulators. I know some people get O-rings from hardware stores, but what about other parts? Thanks again for your time.

John

[cummings66]

I'm not a fan of O rings from the hardware store, those things are sometimes good and sometimes not. There is no linage on them, they're from whoever is cheapest many times and for life support gear I prefer tested and true.