One of the things with sealed diaphragm regs is that they are not free flow proof. Especially if the IP is above spec. The other factor here is the water temp. 49 degrees with a 1st stage 10 PSI over max spec significantly increases the risk of free flow in cold water. Not that it will every time but since the dealer was not a DR retailer having them assemble it is taking a chance.
I'm a HOG and Deep Six tech and tech instructor. The DR regs are very similar. I would not, however, take a DR reg and assemble it and sign off on it unless it was for my own personal use. If I were able to access the specs, and after sticking an IP gauge on it and checking the cracking, finding they were out of spec would lead me to recommend you absolutely not dive the reg until it was brought into spec by an authorized tech. Anything else just opens me up to liability concerns that no court would see as prudent.
I do have a concern that they turned the IP down. Without knowing how much the reg was actually used, turning down the IP reduces the pressure on the mainspring. The HP seat has already seen some pressure at 150. Turning it down puts less pressure on a seat that has already been grooved.
A brand new reg will often come in a bit high and can be turned down with little risk. One that's been used may see the IP start to creep sooner since the seat has been compromised. My question to the tech who assessed and then tuned it would be why was the IP so high and was there any evidence of creep? Did it creep up to 150 and lock or did it jump right to 150?
If I knew for sure it was a new reg that had never been pressurized I'd be ok with turning it down as I said earlier. PROVIDED I was authorized to make service adjustments like that by the mfg. If not, you'd be told to have a DR dealer check it.
My other concern is that a shop let you take a reg out that they knew was out of spec and a brand they did not service. That just smacks of non-professional behavior that had this occurred and one other little thing was wrong, could have cascaded into a fatality. Not just a come to jesus and empty tank moment.
Take the reg to a good DR shop. Have them assess it. Let them know everything that happened. They may recommend a rebuild. I would for a HOG or Deep Six reg given the history of this reg and what it's been through. If you refused I'd document the hell out of it and advise the reg not be used. Then if you do use it, my conscience is clear.
I'm a HOG and Deep Six tech and tech instructor. The DR regs are very similar. I would not, however, take a DR reg and assemble it and sign off on it unless it was for my own personal use. If I were able to access the specs, and after sticking an IP gauge on it and checking the cracking, finding they were out of spec would lead me to recommend you absolutely not dive the reg until it was brought into spec by an authorized tech. Anything else just opens me up to liability concerns that no court would see as prudent.
I do have a concern that they turned the IP down. Without knowing how much the reg was actually used, turning down the IP reduces the pressure on the mainspring. The HP seat has already seen some pressure at 150. Turning it down puts less pressure on a seat that has already been grooved.
A brand new reg will often come in a bit high and can be turned down with little risk. One that's been used may see the IP start to creep sooner since the seat has been compromised. My question to the tech who assessed and then tuned it would be why was the IP so high and was there any evidence of creep? Did it creep up to 150 and lock or did it jump right to 150?
If I knew for sure it was a new reg that had never been pressurized I'd be ok with turning it down as I said earlier. PROVIDED I was authorized to make service adjustments like that by the mfg. If not, you'd be told to have a DR dealer check it.
My other concern is that a shop let you take a reg out that they knew was out of spec and a brand they did not service. That just smacks of non-professional behavior that had this occurred and one other little thing was wrong, could have cascaded into a fatality. Not just a come to jesus and empty tank moment.
Take the reg to a good DR shop. Have them assess it. Let them know everything that happened. They may recommend a rebuild. I would for a HOG or Deep Six reg given the history of this reg and what it's been through. If you refused I'd document the hell out of it and advise the reg not be used. Then if you do use it, my conscience is clear.
