Servicing your reg's ?

Narced · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:05 pm **Posts:** 13

How much would you expect to pay to have a full service done on your reg's?
Also, how often do you have them done?

plumb bob · **Posted:** Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:35 pm

Sheesh that's a big question.. I'll put a copy of a couple of threads from Scubaboard as they answer these questions quite well.

This is what you should do if you want to be responsible for knowing what condition your gear is in (who wouldn't)

Quote:

1. Inspect for external corrosion or physical damage to any parts including hoses. Pay particular attention to the hose to fitting interface for any signs of damage.

2. Inspect the first stage inlet filter for discoloration, particulate matter or any other signs of water intrusion.

3. Check each hose connection to see that it is at least hand tight. It is an essential check after service or reassembly and a good check to make occasionally after that.

4. Next, watertight checks are also very easy to perform and check the integrity of the second stage housing. Connect the regulator to a tank and without turning on the air (or if you have a good tight dust cap you can use that instead) draw a breath on the second stage and hold it for a few seconds. Do not draw too hard as it will collapse the exhaust valves and cause a leak. Does the regulator hold vacuum? If so, then it is probably watertight.

5. Check for air leaks by putting regulator on a tank and with the pressure on, first listen to any leaks, but the definite answer comes by submerging all parts of the regulator in a water tub or similar container. Check the first stage, the second stages, the pressure gauge, and all the hoses with special attention to all the fittings. Check around any hose connections as well as all around the first stage and out the mouthpiece of all second stages for small bubbles.

6. Intermediate pressure check. Get a scuba regulator intermediate pressure gauge: Intermediate Pressure Gauge Plugs Into The BCD Quick Disconnect Hose from LeisurePro.com

Find out what the IP range should be for your regulator (most are ~ 135 +/- 10 psi.) Connect your regulator to a tank and open the tank valve. Connect the IP gauge to the LP inflator hose, and lightly press the purge a few times to "cycle" the regulator.

The intermediate pressure should dip whenever the air is flowing, and immediately return to the acceptable range and remain steady. If it tends to climb (creep) that indicates there is a problem with the first stage that must be corrected. It's not a bad idea to leave the regulator pressurized with the IP gauge connected for several minutes to check for slow IP creep.

7. Another check is the cracking pressure of each second stage. Partially fill your kitchen sink and immerse the pressurized regulator with the mouthpiece up. Air should begin to flow before the regulator gets more than 1 1/2 inches deep. If the mouthpiece is submerged before the regulator starts to flow, the cracking pressure is probably too high.

8. A tiny bit more advanced, remove second stage diaphragm cover to inspect for any corrosion, damage, sand or any other contaminants. Clean sand and contaminants as necessary. On some regulators it is very easy to open and inspect second stages, but not all. It is a good idea to learn how to open your second stage to clean it. Note: If you do not feel comfortable opening up your second stage, this step can be omitted.

These simple checks can be done by anyone. They should be done prior to any dive trip, not to mention when new out of the box or after shop service.

Check early, check often.

Some very good sources of information:
Vance Harlow's (Oxyhacker on Scuba Board and elsewhere) "SCUBA Regulator Maintenance Repair." SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR by Vance Harlow
The Scuba Tools book, "Regulator Savvy" Scuba Tools

The official time period of doing it annually is more about revenue stream for the LDS than your safety as long as you don't treat your gear like crap.

Be fussy with your cleaning of your gear and keep track of how your regs are performing and service them when you think they need it. (this is of course assuming you're not trying to stick with the "free parts for life" scam..

Get the Vance Harlow book, read it cover to cover a few times it is well worth it! Even if you never want to service a reg yourself the increased understanding is gold.

As for cost of service, I service my own so I'm not sure but I'd imagine it must be somewhere around $160?? for a set of regs..

Packhorse · **Posted:** Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:39 pm

I can only back up PB's post.

I choose to service my own regs. But then if I try to count all my 1sts and 2nds I have to remove gloves and shoes and pants.
If you only have one set of regs its probably not going to be cheaper to service them your self. You will learn more though.

As for price. Well like anything you get what you pay for. Pay peanuts you get monkeys. But then some times you pay big$$ and just get bigger monkeys.

Ask these questions around a few shops.

How much to service this reg set up?
Who will be doing the service?
Can I see their credentials?
How long have they been doing it?
DO THEY HAVE A SMALL TORQUE WRENCH????
DO THEY USE IT?????
Can I watch?

Narced · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:05 pm **Posts:** 13

Cool! Thanks for the reply's!
I figured the annual servicing recommendation was maybe a bit prudent and easy for the local dive shop to encourage with a smile. It must depend on how they are looked after and how much use they get from year to year.
The reason I ask about price is I've just had a service and the price was $220 I was a bit taken back and thought I'd ask around what other divers would expect to pay. He's not the only shop in town so I'll be asking around before taking my reg's in for servicing next time. I hope the price at least = quality.

Thanks again,
Narced

plumb bob · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:43 pm

Wow $220! Was this a complete overhaul? Did you get the worn parts? Do you know what they did?

So it would cost me almost a grand per year for Mine and my partners regs to get serviced in a shop.. :lol:

Narced · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:05 pm **Posts:** 13

full service
labor $55
1st stage $59
2nd stage $37.80
replace hose $69
total $220.80

They did give the old hose back and it was showing signs of ware.
maybe without replacing the hose $150 doesn't sound too bad? I was just a bit stunned thinking same again next year... I won't be giving away quite so many crays if that's the case. :shock:

plumb bob · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:57 pm

Oh ok with hose replacements its not so bad.. Though in future of course you'll know when your hose is starting to look dodgy eh? and then you could replace it yourself for $30... :wink:

Narced · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:05 pm **Posts:** 13

Yeah $30 sounds a lot better than $70 considering he charged labor separate. Like you say, I think I'll change my own hoses in future. How hard can it be. cheers

plumb bob · **Posted:** Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:40 am

If you're gonna start changing over hoses be very careful you aren't overtightening them or indeed undertightening. You don't need a torque wrench for the the 1st stage ends of the hoses, just do them up so their snug then imagine the wrench is the minute hand on a clock and tighten it a couple of "minutes"..

The O-ring seal isn't reliant on the tightness of the fittings so overtightening achieves nothing except fatiguing the metal. It only needs to be tight enough to be secure.

Narced · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:05 pm **Posts:** 13

Thanks BP, that sounds like a good tip.

plumb bob · **Posted:** Fri Jun 05, 2009 11:38 am

I typically use a torque wrench on the 2nd stage end of the LP hose and tighten to about 5nm as I think there is less tolerance for overtightening with the fittings at the 2nd stage end. But if you don't have a torque wrench use the same amount of force or slightly less than at the 1st stage end.

sunkarm · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:23 pm

I might be mistaken, but couple of years didn't SODS have some sort of informal training of how to service your reg or at least a demonstrations of what the reg look like from the inside?

Servicing your reg's ?

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