What is the best reg for stage? - Page 2

MonkSeal · August 17th, 2006, 09:37 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by davy)

BTW. my DST also leaked from the swivel, just a small annoying stream of bubbles.
I now have it gorilla tight so the swivel almost doesn't move anymore and now it's fine.

Sometimes changing o-ring can help

lizardland · August 17th, 2006, 10:14 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by MonkSeal)

Sometimes changing o-ring can help

Exactly. All overtightening will do is temporarily fix it and just make stripping it harder in future and more likely to strip the flats in the hex socket.

Most of the time you don't even need to change it. Cleaning and lubing is usually enough.

*JGrogan* · August 17th, 2006, 11:38 AM

So many problems encountered with regs can so easily be solved or avoided with some regular home maintenance. I usually find that stripping down my regs (most of which have turret o-rings) once or twice a year and cleaning and re-lubricating works wonders.

Most of them haven't been "serviced" in years and still work wonderfully.

John.

Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland)

Exactly. All overtightening will do is temporarily fix it and just make stripping it harder in future and more likely to strip the flats in the hex socket.

Most of the time you don't even need to change it. Cleaning and lubing is usually enough.

*peter_steinhoff* · August 17th, 2006, 11:39 AM

The DST isn't optimal for stage bottles because the hose will block access to the wing inflator. A DS4 and the corresponding length 40" hose is better as the hose routes back and then over the head staying clear of the wing inflator. A DST with a 40" hose will get be the same but then you're not using the swivel. For deco bottles DST works ok since the use of the inflator is sporadic. For small deco bottles like 30s for O2 the DST and a 36" hose actually works better than a DS4 because it's more compact when stowed. But if you intend to get into RB80 diving the DST routes the drive hose sligthly better. Otherwise the DS4 is the preferred first stage in my book. I have about 20 Apeks regs and I think 4 are DST and the rest DS4s.

Also try searching the archives. There should be several threads identical to this one.

HTH

lizardland · August 17th, 2006, 01:14 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by JGrogan)

So many problems encountered with regs can so easily be solved or avoided with some regular home maintenance. I usually find that stripping down my regs (most of which have turret o-rings) once or twice a year and cleaning and re-lubricating works wonders.

Most of them haven't been "serviced" in years and still work wonderfully.

John.

I do that too. None of my regs have ever been officially serviced either. My oldest is a T40D that has to be around 15yrs old, never been serviced but is stripped, cleaned and lubed twice a year (I've just done all of mine this week). It works perfectly -- it's on my main RB bailout bottle so I must trust it. You can do a 1st stage in about an hour. Setting up a 2nd stage is a bit more of a pain but still easy.

I keep a full 1st & 2nd stage service kit in case a serious problem occurs but I've never had to use it.

£15 for an IP gauge, £8 for a pin spanner, £10 for a tube O2 lube, £3 for a set of hex keys and 63p for a bottle of vinegar -- everyone should have a set.

MonkSeal · August 17th, 2006, 02:23 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland)

I do that too. None of my regs have ever been officially serviced either. My oldest is a T40D that has to be around 15yrs old, never been serviced but is stripped, cleaned and lubed twice a year.

I do it once a year, inspect o-rings and change if neccesary.

Quote:

You can do a 1st stage in about an hour. Setting up a 2nd stage is a bit more of a pain but still easy.

For me Apeks 2nd is easier then 1st.

Quote:

£15 for an IP gauge, £8 for a pin spanner, £10 for a tube O2 lube, £3 for a set of hex keys and 63p for a bottle of vinegar -- everyone should have a set.

We have the same set

MonkSeal · August 17th, 2006, 02:25 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by peter_steinhoff)

The DST isn't optimal for stage bottles because the hose will block access to the wing inflator.

Peter, I don't understand this. Be so kind to describe how.

*peter_steinhoff* · August 17th, 2006, 05:47 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by MonkSeal)

The DST isn't optimal for stage bottles because the hose will block access to the wing inflator.

Peter, I don't understand this. Be so kind to describe how.

It's difficult without pictures but imagine wearing a stage bottle and the swivel on the first stage is pointing up. The hose will go straight up and around your head and because it goes straight up it will be in the way when you try to reach your inflator with your left hand. I find it annoying when scootering in caves that changes depth constantly. Less of an issue when swimming but not optimal.

MonkSeal · August 17th, 2006, 05:59 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by peter_steinhoff)

It's difficult without pictures but imagine wearing a stage bottle and the swivel on the first stage is pointing up. The hose will go straight up and around your head and because it goes straight up it will be in the way when you try to reach your inflator with your left hand. I find it annoying when scootering in caves that changes depth constantly. Less of an issue when swimming but not optimal.

Oh, I see what you mean. I didn't find it to be an issue with deco bottle. The situation you describe is beyond my current training.

kamyk · March 1st, 2007, 04:21 AM

I use scubapro MK17 + S550 or lower model

August 17th, 2006, 10:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
lizardland(Offline) LCS Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Evidently Chickentown Posts: 1,117	Quote: (Originally Posted by MonkSeal) Sometimes changing o-ring can help Exactly. All overtightening will do is temporarily fix it and just make stripping it harder in future and more likely to strip the flats in the hex socket. Most of the time you don't even need to change it. Cleaning and lubing is usually enough. __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk The Lot isn't the only place to dive: http://www.lulu.com/content/613554

August 17th, 2006, 11:39 AM	#14 (permalink)
peter_steinhoff(Offline) Instructor candidate Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sweden & Florida Posts: 205	The DST isn't optimal for stage bottles because the hose will block access to the wing inflator. A DS4 and the corresponding length 40" hose is better as the hose routes back and then over the head staying clear of the wing inflator. A DST with a 40" hose will get be the same but then you're not using the swivel. For deco bottles DST works ok since the use of the inflator is sporadic. For small deco bottles like 30s for O2 the DST and a 36" hose actually works better than a DS4 because it's more compact when stowed. But if you intend to get into RB80 diving the DST routes the drive hose sligthly better. Otherwise the DS4 is the preferred first stage in my book. I have about 20 Apeks regs and I think 4 are DST and the rest DS4s. Also try searching the archives. There should be several threads identical to this one. HTH __________________ Peter Steinhoff GUE DIR-F, Tech1, Tech2, Cave1, Cave2, Cave3, RB80-1&2, DIR-F/Cave Instructor Candidate. NAUI Tec Instructor (Trimix, Technical DPV, Technical Wreck Penenetration etc) WKPP Support Diver, Halcyon Product Development Team, Gavinscooter Representative. Various IANTD, NSS-CDS, NACD, PADI & NAUI. ---------------------------------------------- http://dir-diver.com http://peter.steinhoff.se (swedish only) Last edited by peter_steinhoff; August 17th, 2006 at 11:43 AM..

August 17th, 2006, 01:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
lizardland(Offline) LCS Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Evidently Chickentown Posts: 1,117	Quote: (Originally Posted by JGrogan) So many problems encountered with regs can so easily be solved or avoided with some regular home maintenance. I usually find that stripping down my regs (most of which have turret o-rings) once or twice a year and cleaning and re-lubricating works wonders. Most of them haven't been "serviced" in years and still work wonderfully. John. I do that too. None of my regs have ever been officially serviced either. My oldest is a T40D that has to be around 15yrs old, never been serviced but is stripped, cleaned and lubed twice a year (I've just done all of mine this week). It works perfectly -- it's on my main RB bailout bottle so I must trust it. You can do a 1st stage in about an hour. Setting up a 2nd stage is a bit more of a pain but still easy. I keep a full 1st & 2nd stage service kit in case a serious problem occurs but I've never had to use it. £15 for an IP gauge, £8 for a pin spanner, £10 for a tube O2 lube, £3 for a set of hex keys and 63p for a bottle of vinegar -- everyone should have a set. __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk The Lot isn't the only place to dive: http://www.lulu.com/content/613554

August 17th, 2006, 05:47 PM	#18 (permalink)
peter_steinhoff(Offline) Instructor candidate Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sweden & Florida Posts: 205	Quote: (Originally Posted by MonkSeal) The DST isn't optimal for stage bottles because the hose will block access to the wing inflator. Peter, I don't understand this. Be so kind to describe how. It's difficult without pictures but imagine wearing a stage bottle and the swivel on the first stage is pointing up. The hose will go straight up and around your head and because it goes straight up it will be in the way when you try to reach your inflator with your left hand. I find it annoying when scootering in caves that changes depth constantly. Less of an issue when swimming but not optimal. __________________ Peter Steinhoff GUE DIR-F, Tech1, Tech2, Cave1, Cave2, Cave3, RB80-1&2, DIR-F/Cave Instructor Candidate. NAUI Tec Instructor (Trimix, Technical DPV, Technical Wreck Penenetration etc) WKPP Support Diver, Halcyon Product Development Team, Gavinscooter Representative. Various IANTD, NSS-CDS, NACD, PADI & NAUI. ---------------------------------------------- http://dir-diver.com http://peter.steinhoff.se (swedish only)

March 1st, 2007, 04:21 AM	#20 (permalink)
kamyk(Offline) New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 128	I use scubapro MK17 + S550 or lower model __________________ www.cavedivers.com.au

August 17th, 2006, 09:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by davy) BTW. my DST also leaked from the swivel, just a small annoying stream of bubbles. I now have it gorilla tight so the swivel almost doesn't move anymore and now it's fine. Sometimes changing o-ring can help

August 17th, 2006, 11:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
JGrogan(Offline) GUE Join Date: May 2006 Location: London Posts: 859	So many problems encountered with regs can so easily be solved or avoided with some regular home maintenance. I usually find that stripping down my regs (most of which have turret o-rings) once or twice a year and cleaning and re-lubricating works wonders. Most of them haven't been "serviced" in years and still work wonderfully. John. Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland) Exactly. All overtightening will do is temporarily fix it and just make stripping it harder in future and more likely to strip the flats in the hex socket. Most of the time you don't even need to change it. Cleaning and lubing is usually enough.

August 17th, 2006, 02:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland) I do that too. None of my regs have ever been officially serviced either. My oldest is a T40D that has to be around 15yrs old, never been serviced but is stripped, cleaned and lubed twice a year. I do it once a year, inspect o-rings and change if neccesary. Quote: You can do a 1st stage in about an hour. Setting up a 2nd stage is a bit more of a pain but still easy. For me Apeks 2nd is easier then 1st. Quote: £15 for an IP gauge, £8 for a pin spanner, £10 for a tube O2 lube, £3 for a set of hex keys and 63p for a bottle of vinegar -- everyone should have a set. We have the same set

August 17th, 2006, 02:25 PM	#17 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by peter_steinhoff) The DST isn't optimal for stage bottles because the hose will block access to the wing inflator. Peter, I don't understand this. Be so kind to describe how.

August 17th, 2006, 05:59 PM	#19 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by peter_steinhoff) It's difficult without pictures but imagine wearing a stage bottle and the swivel on the first stage is pointing up. The hose will go straight up and around your head and because it goes straight up it will be in the way when you try to reach your inflator with your left hand. I find it annoying when scootering in caves that changes depth constantly. Less of an issue when swimming but not optimal. Oh, I see what you mean. I didn't find it to be an issue with deco bottle. The situation you describe is beyond my current training.