Regulator must be
serviced by a trained technician at least once a year. If you use your
regulator extensively or commercially, it should be serviced every six months
or every 50 dives. This will entail bringing in your warranty in order to save
money on parts. (Labour is seldom
included in the warranty). Kanata Diving Supply services all makes and models
of regulators.
An inspection
will usually reveal whether or not the regulator is in need of an overhaul or a
simple cleaning or tune-up. No amount of washing or careful use can entirely
prevent your regulator from becoming out of tune. A simple tune-up will usually
involve adjusting the first stage valve to the correct intermediate pressure,
along with perhaps a second stage adjustment as well.
If
you are heading south on winter vacation and will be using your equipment in
salt water, have it serviced as soon as you get back. Many 3rd world dive
facilities do not inspect their tanks and salt water sits inside them. As soon as you hook up your regulator and
pressurize it this salt water is inside your 1st stage and there’s nothing you
can do about it except have it disassembled and cleaned so you might as well
have it serviced as soon as you return from vacation.
Before taking your gear in, take a close look at it. Pressurize your regulators
and breathe off them. Are you happy with
the way they breathe? Is it hard
breathing or too easy? Is there any
hissing or air leaks? Do you see any
cracks or damage to the cases or hoses? Check the mouthpieces for holes and
tears. Make note of anything you see or have concerns about and write it down.
Don't be afraid to ask questions (talk to the service technician, if possible)
or ask for a written time / cost estimate before having them start the work.
Cleaning
The most important maintenance procedure you can perform on your regulator is a
complete, fresh water rinse immediately after, or within a few hours of your
last dive. Even if you don't have a chance to rinse off your other equipment
right away, try to see that your regulator gets a fresh water rinse as soon as
possible, regardless of whether you have been diving in salt or fresh water.
If allowed to
remain inside your regulator, dried salt crystals and sand particles can damage
the precision parts inside. The chlorine
and acids in swimming pools, as well as the mineral and alkaline deposits
present in fresh water lakes and rivers can also cause corrosion and damage to
many regulator components.
To properly rinse
a regulator:
|
1. |
Place
the regulator on a tank and pressurize it, the dust cap is not intended
to keep water out of the regulator and the 1st stage should never be immersed
in water unless it is pressurized. |
|
2. |
Use
warm (not hot) water to rinse or soak your regulator. This will dissolve any
dried salt crystals that may have accumulated in the interior. |
|
3. |
Direct
a low pressure stream of fresh water over the first and second stages.
Remove any stubborn dried on dirt with a soft toothbrush and
diluted dish soap. Never use chlorinated or industrial cleaning
agents. |
|
4. |
Rinse
inside the second stage by directing a stream of fresh water into the
mouthpiece and allowing it to exit through the exhaust tee. Flush water
around and outside of the entire second stage, concentrating on the swivels,
and LP and HP cracks and crevices. Do not push the purge button, unless you
are holding the hose and first stage high above the second stage and away
from the water, or unless the regulator is pressurized on the tank. |
|
5. |
Another
option is to immerse the entire assembly in a tub of warm water, always
ensuring that the regulator is pressurized. This would be
advisable if a period of time has lapsed after your dive without rinsing the
regulator. Allow the regulator to soak for five to ten minutes, sloshing it
around to loosen any stubborn particles. |
|
6. |
The
purge button should never be pushed while the regulator is completely
immersed in water. This opens the second stage valve, possibly allowing water
to flow through the hose and back into the interior of the first stage assembly.
|
|
7. |
Allow
the regulator to dry thoroughly before storing it. Always dry it away from
direct sunlight to protect the rubber parts |