I was curious how many of us service our own regulators.
Why do you do this?
Who trained you in the procedures?
How do you get the parts and tools needed?
Platypusman
...never knock on Death's Door; ring the bell and run--he hates that.
Servicing your own regs
Started by
Guest_PlatypusMan_*
, Mar 01 2006 05:14 PM
12 replies to this topic
#2
Rob underwater
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Posted 01 March 2006 - 05:55 PM
I service mine. I own a set of poseidon Jet streams. I took the seminar @ Dema back in '97 from the USA reps at the time.
I do it because it's conveinent and it saves me money. I have all the service tools and the manuals. Some of the tools I had fabricated such as wrench for breaking the 1st stage. I have found many parts off of ebay and from a close-out sale in Germany. I only have two rebuild kits left.
I may have to find someone to get more kits from or find a shop I trust in doing it for me. That is difficult at times. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Rob
I do it because it's conveinent and it saves me money. I have all the service tools and the manuals. Some of the tools I had fabricated such as wrench for breaking the 1st stage. I have found many parts off of ebay and from a close-out sale in Germany. I only have two rebuild kits left.
I may have to find someone to get more kits from or find a shop I trust in doing it for me. That is difficult at times. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Rob
#3
Dive_Girl
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Posted 01 March 2006 - 06:47 PM
Since I am not authorized to work on my regs, I do not so I don't void my warranties.
It's Winter time - you know you're a diver when you're scraping ice off your windshield INSIDE your vehicle...!
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#4
6Gill
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Posted 01 March 2006 - 07:17 PM
I service my own regs...as to the warrenty thats only good if you want free parts but then most will have to pay for labour,my parts cost is cheaper than the labour charge(plus I got a whack of 'em).I also like being able to service my regs anywhere anytime.A good reg tech is even harder to find then a good auto mechanic
Overall regs are not that complicated but you have to use your own judgement as to your own abilities.
I've done a manufacture's reg course and truth be told wasn't impressed.Most course will give you a piece of paper stating you attended but there is no pass or fail or a final test.It focuses on taking a reg apart then reassembling it with new parts.The ability to troubleshoot isn't covered in any detail so most(but not all)tech are simply re and re folk.
For the most part the reg either works or it doen't work when you hook it up to a tank and try it in the shop.
For refrence material I have several reg manuals but also several books that are now avalible...Vance Harlow's Scuba Regulator Maintane and Repair(www.airspeedpress.com) also check out www.scubatools.com for tools and Peter's book 'Regulator Savvy'. Both those books togather if you understand them puts you ahead of 80% of the people servicing gear in shops.If I had to choose one I'd get Vance's first.
I'm fortunate in that a good friend/mentor has been servicing regs for over 20years and get to sit in at the bench but I'd still be servicing my regs.
Like anything else in life some people get it easily some have to work at it other should definitly pay someone else. Probably the most important think I bring to my reg servicing that I enjoy that sort of thing,if you find it a chore like ironing I'd pay some you trust to do it
Eric
Overall regs are not that complicated but you have to use your own judgement as to your own abilities.
I've done a manufacture's reg course and truth be told wasn't impressed.Most course will give you a piece of paper stating you attended but there is no pass or fail or a final test.It focuses on taking a reg apart then reassembling it with new parts.The ability to troubleshoot isn't covered in any detail so most(but not all)tech are simply re and re folk.
For the most part the reg either works or it doen't work when you hook it up to a tank and try it in the shop.
For refrence material I have several reg manuals but also several books that are now avalible...Vance Harlow's Scuba Regulator Maintane and Repair(www.airspeedpress.com) also check out www.scubatools.com for tools and Peter's book 'Regulator Savvy'. Both those books togather if you understand them puts you ahead of 80% of the people servicing gear in shops.If I had to choose one I'd get Vance's first.
I'm fortunate in that a good friend/mentor has been servicing regs for over 20years and get to sit in at the bench but I'd still be servicing my regs.
Like anything else in life some people get it easily some have to work at it other should definitly pay someone else. Probably the most important think I bring to my reg servicing that I enjoy that sort of thing,if you find it a chore like ironing I'd pay some you trust to do it
Eric
#5
Dive_Girl
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Posted 01 March 2006 - 07:23 PM
That's why it is even more wonderful that my regular dive buddy, dive_addict is trained/authorized to work on my regs. I still refuse to carry his tanks to the water though 
It's Winter time - you know you're a diver when you're scraping ice off your windshield INSIDE your vehicle...!
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#6
CaptSaaz
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Posted 01 March 2006 - 07:29 PM
I don't have the knowledge or training to service my own so they go to Ralph at the LDS. He is the master of regs around here.
We all must believe in something... I believe I'll have another beer
#7
captsteve
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Posted 01 March 2006 - 09:01 PM
well, a skydiver learns to pack his/her own parachute......why not rebuild your own regs? i havent broken one down yet, but im sure it wont be long. learning is part of the fun!
#8
Capn Jack
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Posted 01 March 2006 - 09:56 PM
I bought a few tools from scubatools. I don't service my regs, but I could with these tools. The LDS where I work does my service "at cost", and I watch/help.
Mostly I'm ready to fix something if it breaks somewhere in the boondocks. If one of my buddy's / client's gear breaks, I'd have a look. It would depend on the reg and the other diver whether I'd offer to open it up and see if a field fix was possible. So, for me, it's more of an extended "save-a-dive" kit than a servicing capability.
I'd strongly urge everyone to take the time with a good service tech to learn some really simple tests and field fixes - for example, the "suck test" on your 2nd stage. If that fails, there is a really good chance it's just the diaphragm has managed to get itself slight out of it's seat. If not, you have a more serious issue that needs to be investigated. Some agencies offer a equipment specialist course, but as usual, the instructor makes all of the difference. Find a tech, negotiate some private tutoring.
mi dos psi
Mostly I'm ready to fix something if it breaks somewhere in the boondocks. If one of my buddy's / client's gear breaks, I'd have a look. It would depend on the reg and the other diver whether I'd offer to open it up and see if a field fix was possible. So, for me, it's more of an extended "save-a-dive" kit than a servicing capability.
I'd strongly urge everyone to take the time with a good service tech to learn some really simple tests and field fixes - for example, the "suck test" on your 2nd stage. If that fails, there is a really good chance it's just the diaphragm has managed to get itself slight out of it's seat. If not, you have a more serious issue that needs to be investigated. Some agencies offer a equipment specialist course, but as usual, the instructor makes all of the difference. Find a tech, negotiate some private tutoring.
mi dos psi
Edited by Capn Jack, 01 March 2006 - 09:58 PM.
No aquarium, no tank in a marine land, however spacious it may be, can begin to duplicate the conditions of the sea. And no dolphin who inhabits one of those aquariums or one of those marine lands can be considered normal.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
Jacques Yves Cousteau
#9
6Gill
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Posted 01 March 2006 - 11:30 PM
A real good tool to have is an IP tester and onother hany testing tip for the 2nd stage submerging it mouthpiece up and measuring the depth that it free flows at.This is the'cracking' pressure...the deeper it needs the harder you work at breathing.
Eric
Eric
#10
sudsymark
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Posted 02 March 2006 - 09:07 AM
I wish I could work on my own regs but tools 
(especially power tools and I dont get along) In the long run it is more cost and time effective to let the expert at my LDS service them for me.
(especially power tools and I dont get along) In the long run it is more cost and time effective to let the expert at my LDS service them for me.
In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we underdstand; and we will only understand what we are taught. -Baba Dioum
#11
Dennis
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Posted 02 March 2006 - 09:42 AM
I service my own regs and I viz my own tanks. The only thing I don't do is the eddy current test for older Al tanks. I have not invested in the test equipment for the eddy current test.
I took a course from Diving Technologies International and I buy my parts from them. I have purchased my tools from various sources, but Scubatools is a great source. I was given an old Dacor 900, I need to get the spanner for that reg.
If you have had the proper training and the tools, it's a great idea to service your own regs. If you have warrantees to keep up, you may decide to have a shop do yours. I don't and since I have been servicing my own regs, they breath much better than they used to breath.
I took a course from Diving Technologies International and I buy my parts from them. I have purchased my tools from various sources, but Scubatools is a great source. I was given an old Dacor 900, I need to get the spanner for that reg.
If you have had the proper training and the tools, it's a great idea to service your own regs. If you have warrantees to keep up, you may decide to have a shop do yours. I don't and since I have been servicing my own regs, they breath much better than they used to breath.
Edited by Dennis, 02 March 2006 - 09:45 AM.
DSSW,
Dennis
"Suppose you were an idiot ... And suppose you were a member of Congress ... But I repeat myself." --Mark Twain
Dennis
"Suppose you were an idiot ... And suppose you were a member of Congress ... But I repeat myself." --Mark Twain
#12
intotheblue
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Posted 02 March 2006 - 11:26 AM
That's why it is even more wonderful that my regular dive buddy, dive_addict is trained/authorized to work on my regs. I still refuse to carry his tanks to the water though
And h ow many regulator failures did you say you had??? Does your regular dive buddy have insurance on you??? Maybe you need a new regular dive buddy!
"The most important thing is to never stop breathing"... ITB
Actually, the WORST day of diving is better than the BEST day at work...
and... my life is not measured by the number of breaths I take, but by the number of breaths I take UNDER WATER
"I see you are no stranger to pain." -- "I was married... TWICE!!!" HOT SHOTS, PART DEUX
Actually, the WORST day of diving is better than the BEST day at work...
and... my life is not measured by the number of breaths I take, but by the number of breaths I take UNDER WATER
"I see you are no stranger to pain." -- "I was married... TWICE!!!" HOT SHOTS, PART DEUX
#13
intotheblue
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Posted 02 March 2006 - 11:42 AM
I service my own regs and I viz my own tanks. The only thing I don't do is the eddy current test for older Al tanks. I have not invested in the test equipment for the eddy current test.
I took a course from Diving Technologies International and I buy my parts from them. I have purchased my tools from various sources, but Scubatools is a great source. I was given an old Dacor 900, I need to get the spanner for that reg.
If you have had the proper training and the tools, it's a great idea to service your own regs. If you have warrantees to keep up, you may decide to have a shop do yours. I don't and since I have been servicing my own regs, they breath much better than they used to breath.
Grab up any parts you find for 900's... Fortunately I got several rebuild kits from a shop going out of business, although I haven't used my 900's in a long time. I prefer knowing how my regs looked when they were taken apart, and how they went back together... so I do my own. Haven't had a warranty service done on a reg in a long time... even on new ones I acquired. Only reg I've had someone else touch in the last 15 yrs is my Poseidon, and I don't use it much any more because I don't have what I need to service it.
Boy, I'm glad I didn't buy any more Dacor's....
"The most important thing is to never stop breathing"... ITB
Actually, the WORST day of diving is better than the BEST day at work...
and... my life is not measured by the number of breaths I take, but by the number of breaths I take UNDER WATER
"I see you are no stranger to pain." -- "I was married... TWICE!!!" HOT SHOTS, PART DEUX
Actually, the WORST day of diving is better than the BEST day at work...
and... my life is not measured by the number of breaths I take, but by the number of breaths I take UNDER WATER
"I see you are no stranger to pain." -- "I was married... TWICE!!!" HOT SHOTS, PART DEUX
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