Preventing regulator freeze up
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another aye!
Here in the Great Lakes, 120-125 is where we set IP for regs. I'm also particular to having, at a minimum, a metal air barrel if it is a plastic reg, or (preferred) an all metal second like a ScubaPro 109/156.
Sealed diaphragm firsts are my go to, and I am partial to the ScubaPro MK-17. They have treated me well. I also have a set of Poseidon regs that I have used, and I am quite happy with them, but really haven't pushed them in cold temps yet (nothing yet below 42). Have also been using HOGs in 42-45 degree water quite successfully.
Looking at an ice class (if we finally freeze over), and haven't decided which reg I will use. A big part of me really wants to use a double hose....
Here in the Great Lakes, 120-125 is where we set IP for regs. I'm also particular to having, at a minimum, a metal air barrel if it is a plastic reg, or (preferred) an all metal second like a ScubaPro 109/156.
Sealed diaphragm firsts are my go to, and I am partial to the ScubaPro MK-17. They have treated me well. I also have a set of Poseidon regs that I have used, and I am quite happy with them, but really haven't pushed them in cold temps yet (nothing yet below 42). Have also been using HOGs in 42-45 degree water quite successfully.
Looking at an ice class (if we finally freeze over), and haven't decided which reg I will use. A big part of me really wants to use a double hose....
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Probably a lot of truth in keeping it inside and warm before the dive. I've dived in those conditions with my old used Mares reg often, never with any free flows. It's always in the house until I dive if mid winter and water temps. of 1-5C (33-39F), air at or below freezing. If it's a bit warmer water (May?) I'm coming from the warm car and way warmer air temps..
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my poseidons have been in similar conditions but out in the car the night before and outside for several hours before getting in without any issues, but have never done that with the scubapro style second stages. If I was ice diving regularly though, I'd be diving either a Kraken, or poseidons, no way I'd be diving anything else
OP
vam
Contributor
I finally read KevinNM's links - very interesting. One thing I noticed was that my tank was slightly overfilled, starting at 3060 PSI, which surprised me given the cold temperatures. A couple of weeks ago my starting pressure was only 2650, and I figured it was low due to the cold. Kevin's links mentioned the tank pressure being a factor. I'll look into tweaking the intermediate pressure. I don't think I'm in a position to do this myself and I'd like to discuss the tradeoffs involved in having this done. I'm at the pool with a local dive shop tonight so I'll try to bring it up then.
A companion's perdix showed max temperature of 33 and min of 32, which is as cold as fresh water gets before it turns to ice. He says it reads warmer when he's done ice diving, so I think I'm just out of luck for these kinds of very cold open water dives.
A companion's perdix showed max temperature of 33 and min of 32, which is as cold as fresh water gets before it turns to ice. He says it reads warmer when he's done ice diving, so I think I'm just out of luck for these kinds of very cold open water dives.
Stoo
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The Chairman
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halocline
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What I find most remarkable about this thread is that you actually attempted to dive in 33F water wearing a wetsuit. If you ask me, you're lucky it was your regulator that froze.....
I have never been a fan of the sherwood SR1, and I suspect that the SR2 is similar, although I'm a bit surprised to hear about it freezing, because it's a sealed 1st stage. Maybe it was the 2nd stage that froze. In general, bigger all metal 2nd stages will provide better heat transfer and be more freeze resistant.
I have never been a fan of the sherwood SR1, and I suspect that the SR2 is similar, although I'm a bit surprised to hear about it freezing, because it's a sealed 1st stage. Maybe it was the 2nd stage that froze. In general, bigger all metal 2nd stages will provide better heat transfer and be more freeze resistant.
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vam
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Actually my posterior also suffered a freeze, but it didn't go into free flow! The SR2 is a sealed metal 1st stage, it was the 2nd stage that had the problem.
NetDoc, I've got 10 days in Cuba booked in February. I expect to be fully thawed by then. Thanks for the good advice!
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Oh Doc... I am heading to my place in Tobermory in the next day or two. I can't get my boat in since the launch ramp has about three feet of snow plowed into it... It looks like shore-diving at New Years again.
Did I mention that the Keys are only a short 22 hour drive or so... If only I knew someone there... ;-)
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