Okay, the country song wouldn't play backward this time, and I have thrown in the towel on my old-friend BC. When pressed up from my pony til the relief valve popped, there are several small leaks, and the inflator hose connection leaks (that may be the female part's problem from the first stage, not the male part of the connector), The velcro's getting snaggly in places, and wire part for the pull-dump inside inflator hose, rotted through.
New on-line Cressi Start on the way, $199 on sale, free shipping. I'm optimistic it will work, and I'm right in the middle of the weight range for the size ordered. It has 31 pounds of lift, fine for me. I'm a simple diver with simple needs, simple rig with conventional octo, weight belt, I dive once every few months, nothing real deep except Hole in the Wall off Jupiter once in a blue moon, and I don't stay long. I'm a light user in that sense (light spender too). Plus I'm 70, how long does this one need to last?? Don't answer that.... ;-)
Will let you know if "never buy your BC on line" is inapplicable this time. Hope so. I have, however, heeded the "never buy one used, at least on-line" advice. Plus, new BC means I have to run over to "the Coast" to try it out, the central Gulf's still warm.