Reg's & Stage warranties, worth it or not??? (sorry if this question had been hammered)

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

i just bring an extra first stage and second stage on trips. without the hoses, they don't take up much space.

the dgx mini ip gauge works fine for home use.

Compact IP Gauge (PSI and BAR)

After plunking down so much $ for a trip in Oct 2019.........This might not be such a bad idea. I mean, yes, I could probably make do with the rentals on the boat...but there's nothing like a reg that you know and love. Rental gear is normally ehhhhh.....
 
Thanks for the links, guys! Bear with me here....so besides plugging it into my LP hose, what range or number am I looking to be in? Thanks for holding my hands on this one. :)
 
Hi fmerkel,

Did "my own serviced SP MK 14" malfunction right after overhaul?

markm

Sure. I guess that wasn't clear when I said: "I cleaned everything, replaced nothing, and took it diving. It's fine. Go figure."

FWIW, on the other 2 regs that had problems, the MK20 had a microscopic 'divot' on the HP seal. No idea how it got there. The Mares MR12 was like the MK14. Could find no reason for the problem and it worked fine after simply cleaning, lubing, and re-assembly. It was events like that which pushed me down the road to doing it myself. I like to know how my stuff works, and know what it's status is. I also also more easily figure out what a problem is...sometimes. :wink:

I can far more readily determine when to dive, and when to bail with a reg problem. That's nice, though I rarely have to make that decision.
 
Thanks for the links, guys! Bear with me here....so besides plugging it into my LP hose, what range or number am I looking to be in? Thanks for holding my hands on this one. :)

I hate to be one of those jerks who responds with the "let me Google that for you," but I just Googled for SB threads on "how to use an IP gauge" (because I happened to recall this one)

Help on using IP Gauge to test reg
 
Thanks for the links, guys! Bear with me here....so besides plugging it into my LP hose, what range or number am I looking to be in? Thanks for holding my hands on this one. :)

Hi outofofficebrb,

I am not a service tech, so check your manufactures information. Most IPs are set at about 140 to 145psi. As you hit the purge button on one of your second stages, the pressure will drop but not precipitously (to about 135 psi). As you release the purge button it should jump back to about 145 psi.

Next, the pressure should not creep up at all, and definitely should not creep past 150psi.

Again, I am not a regulator tech, so take my numbers with a grain of salt. Read your manufacturers specifications.

markm
 
Sure. I guess that wasn't clear when I said: "I cleaned everything, replaced nothing, and took it diving. It's fine. Go figure."

FWIW, on the other 2 regs that had problems, the MK20 had a microscopic 'divot' on the HP seal. No idea how it got there. The Mares MR12 was like the MK14. Could find no reason for the problem and it worked fine after simply cleaning, lubing, and re-assembly. It was events like that which pushed me down the road to doing it myself. I like to know how my stuff works, and know what it's status is. I also also more easily figure out what a problem is...sometimes. :wink:

I can far more readily determine when to dive, and when to bail with a reg problem. That's nice, though I rarely have to make that decision.

Hi fmerkel,

I did not get my point across--sorry about that. Was the regulator malfunctioning right after it was overhauled and then you cleaned it? Sometimes newly repaired items suffer from FOD, or a part suffers infant mortality.

markm
 
Last edited:
I hate to be one of those jerks who responds with the "let me Google that for you," but I just Googled for SB threads on "how to use an IP gauge" (because I happened to recall this one)

Help on using IP Gauge to test reg

@Lorenzoid Thanks for the link. It's super helpful. I didn't realize that each reg had an acceptable range that is printed in the paperwork that came with the reg so I will double check mine. I just thought it would be a quick response back about what range I should be in and didn't realize there were so many steps. Appreciate it.
 
Hi fmerkel,

I did not get my point across--sorry about that. Was the regulator malfunctioning right after it was overhauled and then you cleaned it? Sometimes newly repaired items suffer from FOD, or a part has infant mortality.

markm

Reg was overhauled by me on 4/17. That servicing was clean/lube/replace no parts at all. IP was stable and it was used for diving almost every weekend afterward, cool/cold saltwater. Immediately rinsed after diving (minor rinse after cameras), deeper rinse after the dive at home.

When it started leaking on me I dove it, but watched it. IP was creeping, not horribly, but certainly faster than I wanted. It bubbled a bit at the end of exhalation, which is often consistent with an IP creep.

Did a similar overhaul 12/17; disassemble, inspect, clean, lube, replace nothing as I found nothing wrong. IP stable after the overhaul. Dove it only once since, and it worked fine. I've been checking out an old Sherwood Oasis I overhauled so have not done anymore diving with that reg. I will, sometime as it's my main reg.

FWIW, it's the only time this reg has done this in about 17 years of continuous service.
 
Reg was overhauled by me on 4/17. That servicing was clean/lube/replace no parts at all. IP was stable and it was used for diving almost every weekend afterward, cool/cold saltwater. Immediately rinsed after diving (minor rinse after cameras), deeper rinse after the dive at home.
When it started leaking on me I dove it, but watched it. IP was creeping, not horribly, but certainly faster than I wanted.
Did a similar overhaul 12/17; disassemble, inspect, clean, lube, replace nothing as I found nothing wrong. IP stable after the overhaul. Dove it only once since, and it worked fine, as I've been checking out an old Sherwood Oasis I overhauled.

FWIW, it's the only time this reg has done this in about 17 years of continuous service.

Ok, now I understand. Repair induced FOD was not the issue, nor did a new part suffer infant mortality.

thanks,
markm
 
Ah, I see what you were looking for. No such problem. I've overhauled regs that were 20 years old, replaced nothing, and they worked fine. I don't recommend that for the average DIY person though. If I do it, it's generally because I don't have appropriate parts on hand, and there may be difficulty getting them. You have to be able to evaluate what the parts are, what they do, and if they are usable for a critical function.
 
Last edited:

Back
Top Bottom