Foreign material in the first stage.....

[TNRonin]

I received a couple phone pics from my guy doing a service on one of my Conshelf 21 first stages. It was kinda of blurry, but I could see that it was a piece of rusty wire. One was where he found it, and the other was just sitting on his counter. I finally talked to him later and he told me that he found a STAPLE, inside the first stage next to the high pressure seat!:confused: We have no idea how it got there. I postulated that something magnetic had picked up the staple during assembly. We have no idea how it got there, this was a used first stage bought on here, and I was going to have it serviced anyway.

I guess the failure mode for this would have been a free flow, not the opposite. Glad we caught it nonetheless.

Moral of the story: Get the used stuff serviced before you use it.

ETA: Added pics.

[couv]

Well, that tops my spider living in a (still working) MK V. Can you post the pictures? I'd like to see that...thanks.

[TNRonin]

Edited

[Scared Silly]

Interesting find. A total WAG, parts usually come in a little bag that has been stapled closed. I could see a loose staple on the bench getting caught in the spring for the reg. Once dropped in it falls off the spring. ??????

[TNRonin]

Maybe magnetic, or sticky? It also tells me that whoever did the tech work on this needs to be more careful.

[halocline]

Moral of the story: Get the used stuff serviced before you use it.



But only by someone who won't leave a staple in the 1st stage!

[Bob DBF]

Not that I have done it in a reg but, I have used staples and paperclips to fabricate parts to get something running. Scared Silly has the most likely answer.


Bob
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You only need two tools in life – WD40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use the WD40. If it shouldn’t move and does, use the Duct Tape

[herman]

Interesting find. A total WAG, parts usually come in a little bag that has been stapled closed. I could see a loose staple on the bench getting caught in the spring for the reg. Once dropped in it falls off the spring. ??????


Sounds like the most plausable answer. Considering where it was at, the spring would have most likely held it in place and not caused you any problems but still, a good example of why you should service unknown gear before use.

[j2s]

Good example of learning to do your own servicing.......

[Capt.Gene]

Is the wire part of a C clip that holds the filter in place in the 1st stage?

[davetowz]

Gene, no. It is a staple. I am guessing it made it's way in during last service, judging by the brittle o rings in the reg has been a few days ago.

[TNRonin]

LOL, just as long as it will work for the boy. LOL

[LeadTurn_SD]

Well, heck, that's nothing but a "Hawaiian Shim", placed under the spring to raise the IP . I always keep a bag of SS staples in my dive bag for that very purpose .... ;)

Actually, I also think the theory that the staple 'stuck' to the bottom of the spring during assembly is the correct one.

Best wishes.