Salt Deposits

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tdallen

Contributor
Messages
131
Reaction score
37
Location
Somewhere south of Boston
# of dives
50 - 99
I just returned from a dive trip. I soaked my regulator for 24 hours after returning home. But I'm seeing salt deposits on the octo... how long do you soak your regulators after diving, and do you do anything else to make sure you're getting rid of the salt?
 
I rinse mine in fresh water at the dive shop that I used during my vacation before I pack them for transit, or if that isn't possible, then I rinse them in the bathtub or sink of my hotel room.
 
I just returned from a dive trip. I soaked my regulator for 24 hours after returning home. But I'm seeing salt deposits on the octo... how long do you soak your regulators after diving, and do you do anything else to make sure you're getting rid of the salt?

It maybe minerals in the water you are using to rinse the equipment and not necessarily salt deposits.
 
Two tricks for cleaning your reg:
1. When you start to clean you second stage in fresh water (just when you return from water to DC (Diving Centre) or to the boat, if it had pool with fresh water) - you have to stay connected it to the tank.
Then start to shake it strongly horizontally, when exaust valve(s) on the top, and mouthpiece at the bottom.
This will keep two dividends:
When you shaking - membrane will be pressed from water pressure or water depression (does not matter why, just bubbles should to go).
When bubbles goes from mouthpiece to exaust vale, it takes some water (like airlift) and cleaning inner space with more forces, and better.
When you have pressure in hose - it was impossible to pass water in hose. And also it will clean seat and valve more better.

2. When you try to disconnect 1st stage from tank - after closing valve do not drop the pressure less than 20bar. Then try to disconnect DIN or Yoke carefully from valve. It will make "psssst", and stops. Do not press purge button on 2nd stage after! You should stay pressure in the hoses.
When you make this step - you can loose HP o-ring, be carefully. Put it back to the sink.
Than close hole in the 1st stage by finger, and then put regulator to the fresh water and shake it storngly.
THAN shake it from water drops, remove finger, AND SLOWLY press purge button.
When pressure in the hoses will drop less than IP (setup pressure or Intemediate Pressure), you 1st stage will opening, and air starts to go from hoses, over regulator, over the filter to the out.
It allow you to get some dividents:
Your filter will be cleaned from any possible drops of water.
You filter will be cleaned from any rust particles from the tank.
And you be able to see, how it clean, when you will put you palm before air stream. All particles will stay on your wet palm (I hope you are freshed regulator before :) )
And also that allow to prevent water ingress inside regulator when you will freshening it.
 
Saltaway....works wonders
 
yes, saltaway and/or really really warm water rinse/soak....
 
I take my second stages apart after a major dive trip and do a full ultrasonic cleaning, similar to a biannual service.
 
I'm doing another long soak, and will try Salt Away next if that doesn't work. I don't think I've got a lot of minerals in the water...
 
Where do you see the salt deposits? I usually see them around the face plate and the second stage body. IMHO, I believe it's just salt crystals that are captured at the threads on the second stage body, where the face plate usually screws into the body. I never have any salt crystals, if I remove the face plate and purge diaphragm. I do find that warm does help a great deal.

If you have a DIN regulator, you will always find them on the threads of the DIN connector, unless you clean them and those of the tank valve.
 

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