New 1st Stage or try repair (again)

[skubanut]

I bought a used Apex AT50(?) regulator and matching octo about four years ago. I have had them serviced twice. But in the last year I've been having repeated problems attaching the post to tank valves, air hisses out, no tight seal. I am told that I shouldn't have to screw the post on overly tight. I usually ask for the post gasket to be replaced and that helps.

OK, maybe, the tank has fallen onto the regulator or I've lifted or adjusted a tank by using the hoses attached to the 1st stage, so now the 1st stage might be out of alignment. Is this something that can be repaired? If it is out of alignment should I have expected the (two separate) repair shop to tell me so, instead of simply replacing seals and gaskets?

Can I buy just a first stage or should I buy a complete "rig".

What say you sages? Repair (again) or start fresh?

 

[Ste Wart]

Sounds like a valve problem rather than a reg problem. Normally replacing the O-ring on the tank will help. Check the 1st stage for signs of damage around the filter, but I doubt you'll find any.

 

[redacted]

A bent yoke will also cause that problem. In extreme cases you can usually see the misshape but yours sounds fairly mild. When you find a tank that leaks, try other 1sts on it to see if they have the same problem. If not, then it is probably your 1st that is the problem. Replacement of the yoke (is fairly simple and should have a cost around $50. Much cheaper than a new regulator.

 

[nwbrewer]

Is this a DIN valve? If the DIN fitting connector on the Reg (PN 28 on teh last page - Apeks T20 1st Stage Service Manual) is not tightened properly, it can loosen up over time as the friction of the tank o-ring causes the connector to unscrew and leak. Try tightening the post a bit with a 6mm Hex key and see if that fixes it.

Apeks 1st stages are pretty bullet proof. Unless the threads in the body got stripped, even if something is wrong with the connector it should be easy to replace.

In any event, I see no need to replacing functioning 2nd stages just because you have a bad 1st. Good luck.

Jake

 

[nwbrewer]

Stupid double post

 

[herman]

You could have one of 2 problems, a bent yoke....an Apeks falling of the tailgate of a truck in Bonaire would do it...not that I have any experience or you may have a nick in the face of the yoke bolt (thing that mates to the Oring. A bent yoke is not cheap but easy to repair. A nicked sealing surface is also easy to repair as long as it's not very bad, otherwise you replace it. To do that, you remove it and polish out the knick using 800-1000 grit sand paper on a flat (glass is great) surface. It will remove the chrome but other than not looking nice, it does not hurt anything.

 

[Capt.Gene]

If probably need a replacement yoke. I have a lot of used and new Apeks parts

 

[Zung]

Repair for sure, possibly a new yoke retainer. If you don't have the ability to do it yourself, you'll need to find a honest shop, one that's not under pressure to sell you a new set of regs, BC, wetsuit, car, house...