HP hose leak

[srobins]

Hi. Im a new diver (currently doing my OW) and have bought a reg + octopus + SPG off ebay. I got it home & plugged it into the tank I have bought and the SPG seems to have a leak where it connects to the first stage. Well, more specifically, it seems to leak where the host is crimped to the connector which connects to the first stage.
ok, couple of things. Can I fix this myself? (ie. right now, no extra special parts needed) Im going to get the regs serviced, but I would like to test it all right now (Im excited about my purchase!). I assume if I just unscrew it from the 1st stage, Ill need to replace it with some sort of plug so the air just dosen't flow out?
Also, would I need to get the SPG serviced? or just get the connnector on the hose replaced?

[Big-t-2538]

order a new HP hose, and have someone with reg tuning/repair experience fix this for you.

[Scubaroo]

Considering that a HP hose failure underwater would make for a *really* bad day, just replace the entire hose when you get the regs serviced. Replacing the LP hoses at the same time probably would be a good idea as well, as most likely they are of a similar age as the failing hose. Don't dive the reg in it's current unserviced, leaky condition.

[srobins]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Is there anything I can do now, so I can stick my head underwater in the bath? ie. can I just try wrapping some tape around it? or am I liable to blow myself up or something?

Of course, Ill get everything properly replaced and serviced at my LDS tomorrow..

[Scubaroo]

HP stands for "High Pressure". Assuming you've got it hooked up to an aluminium tank, that's around 3000psi - not the kind of pressure you want your face near if it lets go in the bathtub. Just get it replaced before using it.

[Big-t-2538]

I can't say I've ever seen a hose failure...so I don't know what a failure in action looks like, or how dangerous it is. remember the potential energy of 3000 psi in a tank....that hp hose is hooked directrly to that....your choice.

[roturner]

Big-t-2538 once bubbled...
I can't say I've ever seen a hose failure...so I don't know what a failure in action looks like, or how dangerous it is. remember the potential energy of 3000 psi in a tank....that hp hose is hooked directrly to that....your choice.

It makes a lot of noise. LP hose failures are actually just as dangerous if you ask me. Sure 3000psi is a lot of pressure but the air goes through a "pinhole" sized hole whereas the LP hose has a diameter that's maybe 4mm wide and can deliver 1000 litres per minute in your face..... just a thought.

R..

[nickjb]

I'm sure I heard that a high pressure hose failure would leak air at similar rate to breathing from a reg due to the small hole. Never tested this, though. A LP hose failure will drain a tank in seconds. Can anyone confrim/deny?

[Straggler Dave]

1st stages have a restriction in the HP port, so the max flow rate through that hose is fairly low. Think about when you open your tank valve - It takes a full 3-5 seconds just for the HP hose to pressurise.

[dsgobie]

I watched HP hose go from the boat. The guy had knocked his rig off of the bench when they have the tank/chain set up. Well I guess it broke something.. Because as I was getting geared up, I watched him pitch overboard.. The boat was anchored in about 50-60fsw. The DM said as soon as he touched the bottom it blew. Well I was standing on the boat still getting geared up. I noticed a HUGE white milky cloud just off the port side... then the ocean started to boil.. about 25+ft in diameter. I was like WTF.. Then this diver hits the surface at like mach 2. Two DM jump overboard to help the seriously stressed out guy with his problem. Shutting his tank off and dragging him over to the boat. (the diver was fine)

So I would say, spend a few more bucks. I don't think you would like anything like this happening to you at any depth.

[roturner]

nickjb once bubbled...
I'm sure I heard that a high pressure hose failure would leak air at similar rate to breathing from a reg due to the small hole. Never tested this, though. A LP hose failure will drain a tank in seconds. Can anyone confrim/deny?

Not seconds. The flow through an LP hose is about 1000 litres per minute. It would drain a full 80 cf. tank in about 2 minutes.

R..

[dsgobie]

Well wouldn't that be 120 seconds?? :D Sorry had to do it..

[tinman]

srobins once bubbled...
Thanks for the quick replies!

Is there anything I can do now, so I can stick my head underwater in the bath? ie. can I just try wrapping some tape around it? or am I liable to blow myself up or something?


...planning on redecorating the bathroom? I have only seen HPs blow when STRAPPED onto a diver. Hard to say where that tank is going to go if this hose bursts at the 1st stage side - if a pinhole leak it might be managable, if not be somewhere else. Seek professional help...before you need some OTHER professional help...

[steeldiver]

Its said a BLOW OUT on the SPG end of the
hose whips with enough force to break an arm.
Howard

[srobins]

okay, everyone can calm down now :)
In the end, I just left it and didnt do anything. Next day, I got the HP hose replaced as well as the valve in the SPG. They also cleaned the SPG connection for me. No leaks from the 1st stage anymore (yay!)
Ill get the reg + octo fully serviced before I use them.

[dsgobie]

Goog to hear.

Safe diving!

[Cave Diver]

nickjb once bubbled...
I'm sure I heard that a high pressure hose failure would leak air at similar rate to breathing from a reg due to the small hole. Never tested this, though. A LP hose failure will drain a tank in seconds. Can anyone confrim/deny?

Just for curiousity's sake, we did cut a high pressure hose apart one day while hanging out and b/s'ing in the dive shop.

FWIW, the inner diameter of a high presussre hose is roughly similar to the inner diamater of a low pressure hose. It does have a much smaller restriction on it, but believe me it still dumps a tremendous volume of air in a short time.

We did not do an actual test to see how quickly it would empty a tank, nor did we put any sort of flow meter on it. We did however treat it like a free-flowing reg to see if it would be possible to breathe off of it (long story as to why we would do this) in the event of a dire emergency.

To keep it simple, the high pressure hose delivers air at a much higher rate than we thought it would. We found that it would be possible to "sip" the air from the hose, but it was much harder to do that then it was from a free flowing reg.

IMO, a rupture in either hose could empty a tank rather quickly, but you can possibly pinch off a a LP hose and slow or stop the leak. That did not work with the HP hose.

*******Disclaimer*******

Do not try this at home, at the dive shop, or more importantly underwater!

[Ron Brandt]

Sound to me like the o rings on the airspool are shot.
Common

Ron