zeagle octo Z

[paintsnow]

lately my octo z has been acting up.
if i hook it up to a tank of air and open up the valve, everything is fine, then after a few seconds a small hiss starts to develop.

it does bubble when i put a little but of water on the metal bar that you can see through the mouth piece.

it doesn't bubble during dives though, and it seems to only hiss above water when the unit is held above the tank valve.

im thinking i have to either adjust my cracking pressure or my IP, im just not sure which

and whatever one it is, can i adjust it myself or do i have to send it in?

i can change a light bulb and do some light wiring in case larry sees this, so i wouldnt have an issue doing it if i dont need any special tools (i think IP is adjusted in the first stage right? so i know i cant do that).

thanx for the help, i just dont want any issues popping up on me in the middle of a dive

and i dont want to lose air if i forget, (it keeps leaking even if you set it down below the valve if that helps).

thanks in advance
-paintsnow

[ScubaToys Larry]

What you are describing actually does not sound like a problem with the octo z, but a problem with your 1st stage. If on the surface, you air it up... and then it takes a few seconds, and it starts free flowing. Now do this, unhook it an wait.. you'll probably see that your primary will start free flowing in a bit.

It really seems like you have an IP creep, which means the seat in the first stage is slowly letting the IP climb up until it gets to the point where it will open up one of the regs... But then you hit a purge, it will drop back down for a second, then start creeping up again.

Try you reg without, and maybe try the octo z on another reg to determine if the problem is the 1st or 2nd.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

What you are describing actually does not sound like a problem with the octo z, but a problem with your 1st stage. If on the surface, you air it up... and then it takes a few seconds, and it starts free flowing. Now do this, unhook it an wait.. you'll probably see that your primary will start free flowing in a bit.

It really seems like you have an IP creep, which means the seat in the first stage is slowly letting the IP climb up until it gets to the point where it will open up one of the regs... But then you hit a purge, it will drop back down for a second, then start creeping up again.

Try you reg without, and maybe try the octo z on another reg to determine if the problem is the 1st or 2nd.

Excellent advice, I would add that if you have a IP creep issue, you need to measure it without any low pressure lines on the first stage, or the leak can be very hard to see... and don't just let it creep up to tank pressure, if it is leaking...

Note: I have seen someone test for this, and remove the second stages and leave the inflator hose, and when they did, the IP went to the point of blowing up the inflator hose.

[paintsnow]

so how much would that cost to fix?
i bought the reg from you larry in june

you can pm me the quote if you like

[ScubaToys Larry]

If you bought a reg from us in June... and you're experiencing a slow intermediate pressure creep and free flow, fixing that would be... uh.. let me think here... 6 plus 7... ummm carry the one, multply by uhhh... Yea ok I got it. Free!

Just send us all the parts, and so we know what's going on, just print out the first page of posts from this thread. We'll fix it up and return it. No charge.

[paintsnow]

how do you suggest i pack it?
i dont want to damage them even more soooo...

put them in the scubatoys reg bag and then put that in a box filled with peanuts?

or should i do something different.

im not too good with this whole packaging thing...if you cant tell

[kyfriedchipper]

sounds like service time - good thing you have ST

[NitroWill]

Originally Posted by paintsnow

how do you suggest i pack it?
i dont want to damage them even more soooo...

put them in the scubatoys reg bag and then put that in a box filled with peanuts?

or should i do something different.

im not too good with this whole packaging thing...if you cant tell

Just wrap the octoz a couple times w/ bubble wrap or surround with peanuts and itll be just fine - just make sure its an appropriate size box as freespace causes movement and movement causes damage!

[DougNR]

I am experiencing a similar problem as the OP with my fairly new Octo-Z...

I get a whisper of escaping air. It does not begin until I take a breath from it or press the purge. Once it begins however, I can't stop it entirely. Popping the inflator button will reduce it or stop it for a second or two, but it will return.

To isolate the possibility of IP creep suggested by Larry for the OP's problem, I put the LP hose on my daughter's very recently serviced 1st stage. Same problem.

Larry - If you see this post, is there an adjustment I can make to correct the problem? The Octo-Z has about 8 dives on it since new and was purchased from ST in your initial batch after release.

I noted this problem while checking my gear last night for an upcoming dive opportunity in the Bahamas. I'm thinking this is not a show stopper on the Octo-Z as the escaping air is minor and MAY not be an issue once the unit is submerged and/or while the primary is in use, but I'd appreciate a more expert view on that.

Thanks to all for responding.

Doug

[ScottZeagle]

I'll get back with you guys in a few...