Hey guys. Experienced reg service tech here.
Let’s take a look at this situation and try to find an answer?
This is something that puzzles me. Recently I took my Scuba Pro MK V with balanced adjustable 109 conversion diving. The air temperature was 2 degrees celcius. The water was 3.8 degrees celcius. My tank was a PST LP 120 filled with 2100 psi air. The tank and regs were in the back of my wrangler, not a lot of heat back there (wranglers aren’t known for HVAC capabilities). So they were already “cold” before the dive setup.
As I attached the reg to the tank and began my pre dive checks, the second stage had a small leak.
This regulator has a cracking pressure of 1.1” H2O, and an IP of 123. All new o rings and service kit straight from Scuba Pro. Greased with MolyKote 111. 1 shim on the inside and mostly filled with silicone in SPEC chamber.
I knew it wasn’t enough of an issue to “abort” the dive and proceeded to dive for 30 mins at 35 feet, before my feet got numb.
I understand that this regulator isn’t exactly rated for cold weather or cold water, with “cold” being defined as below 40 degrees F.
Is it possible that thermal contraction caused a difference in seating capabilities?
It does not free flow at room temp 20C/68F. Leading me to believe it is the cold temperature that caused a failure.
I may end up moving the regs to a Conshelf, or just dedicate the MK V setup as warm water regs.
Erik
Let’s take a look at this situation and try to find an answer?
This is something that puzzles me. Recently I took my Scuba Pro MK V with balanced adjustable 109 conversion diving. The air temperature was 2 degrees celcius. The water was 3.8 degrees celcius. My tank was a PST LP 120 filled with 2100 psi air. The tank and regs were in the back of my wrangler, not a lot of heat back there (wranglers aren’t known for HVAC capabilities). So they were already “cold” before the dive setup.
As I attached the reg to the tank and began my pre dive checks, the second stage had a small leak.
This regulator has a cracking pressure of 1.1” H2O, and an IP of 123. All new o rings and service kit straight from Scuba Pro. Greased with MolyKote 111. 1 shim on the inside and mostly filled with silicone in SPEC chamber.
I knew it wasn’t enough of an issue to “abort” the dive and proceeded to dive for 30 mins at 35 feet, before my feet got numb.
I understand that this regulator isn’t exactly rated for cold weather or cold water, with “cold” being defined as below 40 degrees F.
Is it possible that thermal contraction caused a difference in seating capabilities?
It does not free flow at room temp 20C/68F. Leading me to believe it is the cold temperature that caused a failure.
I may end up moving the regs to a Conshelf, or just dedicate the MK V setup as warm water regs.
Erik