DIY Apeks regulator servicing..

MarkEm · December 8th, 2005, 05:47 AM

Hi all,

I want to service my own regs but before going ahead I just want to confirm that it really is as easy as it looks in the manuals? I have TX100s and DSTs. I will order some proper tools from Peter Built so I can do it properly. I have an ultrasonic bath btw. The bits that I think will be usefull are:

1st Stage Handle, Heavy Duty
Peter Built Co #6 Hook Spanner
ChristoLube 111 in 2oz Syringe
O'ring Picks, Soft Brass
Pro Technician IPG Assembly Only & PB Universal Inflator SpinOn Assembly

$125 (£75) for the lot.

Anything else to add to the list (apart from service kits and a bench vise)?

Thanks for your help.

Mark.

Rick · December 8th, 2005, 09:26 AM

Hi Mark, I'm just about to do my DS4's too so am quite interested to see how you get on.

I think Bob does his own too or at least has done in the past.

Won't you need a guage to set the ip's etc?

p_prasse · December 8th, 2005, 10:11 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick)

Won't you need a guage to set the ip's etc?

Jep, an IP gauge should definitely be in the list.

Don't use to much lube for the o-rings. A thin film is enough.

daz · December 8th, 2005, 10:15 AM

Well I've done a service on a couple of Oceanic 1st stages and 1 Apeks 1st stage. In my experience the Apeks are fairly simple in design and don't seem to require any particular 'tips of the trade' that you can't find in the manuals.

It isn't rocket science, I'm pretty sure if I can do it successfully then anyone with some common sense, service manuals and a bit of time and care can do it.

The only tools and consumables I have are :-

Ultrasonic bath (With citric acid crystals, available from company that supplies the ingredients for making soap)
small toothbrush
O ring pick,
IP gauge
hook spanner
bar handle to screw into HP/MP port
Krytox Lube
Airgun that plugs into a LP infrator (Useful for popping the diaphragm out, and drying off)

Plus the various assortment of adjustables/spanners/hex keys required for ports and hoses.

The only word of advice I would offer is to stagger your servicing, so only do one first stages and one second stages at the same time. It's not that I lack confidence but better to be safe than sorry.

HTH,
Daz

PBrown · December 8th, 2005, 11:09 AM

where are people obtaining their service kits from?

cheers,
Paul

Tricky · December 8th, 2005, 11:10 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by MarkEm)

Anything else to add to the list (apart from service kits and a bench vise)?

I'd recommend getting Vance Harlow's book, Scuba Regulator Maintenance and Repair. Not strictly necessary, but very useful and has lots of information about configuring the regs and troubleshooting, etc. It even has schematics for regs from a number of manufacturers (ok, so I know htese are available on the web as well).

graham_hk · December 8th, 2005, 12:11 PM

I can get service kits here in Asia and bring them back to UK at Christmas - let me know via email or PM if you're interested and I'll get a price (I seem to remember something like US20 for a first stage and US10 for second stage)

Tricky · December 8th, 2005, 12:20 PM

There is a reliable source of Apeks kits here in the UK, although I'm not sure whether they want it shouting around...

Graham, can you get Scubapro kits? I managed to get some Mk20 kits from the States, but have been having trouble finding them for my G250s, Mk16 and R380s.

SeaJay · December 8th, 2005, 02:09 PM

http://www.deepsouthdivers.org/homeapeks.html

The slide show presentation is REALLY useful.

Links to everything you need is provided.

tstonedvr · December 8th, 2005, 02:10 PM

Just a word of warning...be very careful of the lever on the second stage...don't remove it....if it is bent at all you have to chunk it because you will never get it to work right again....if you can get hold of the Aqualung go -no- go guage for the starting point of the lever height you will be a step ahead...most of the time if this is set right I never have to set anything again once I put it on the flowmeter/magnahelic....getting a .8 on average on the cracking pressure most ever time....
Yarg

December 8th, 2005, 05:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
MarkEm(Offline) Site Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 220	DIY Apeks regulator servicing.. Hi all, I want to service my own regs but before going ahead I just want to confirm that it really is as easy as it looks in the manuals? I have TX100s and DSTs. I will order some proper tools from Peter Built so I can do it properly. I have an ultrasonic bath btw. The bits that I think will be usefull are: 1st Stage Handle, Heavy Duty Peter Built Co #6 Hook Spanner ChristoLube 111 in 2oz Syringe O'ring Picks, Soft Brass Pro Technician IPG Assembly Only & PB Universal Inflator SpinOn Assembly $125 (£75) for the lot. Anything else to add to the list (apart from service kits and a bench vise)? Thanks for your help. Mark.

December 8th, 2005, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rick(Offline) Jock Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falkirk/Stratford UK Posts: 730	Hi Mark, I'm just about to do my DS4's too so am quite interested to see how you get on. I think Bob does his own too or at least has done in the past. Won't you need a guage to set the ip's etc? __________________ Forget Everything And Remember http://phreaticzone.thedeepstop.com/ http://www.dublinbaydiving.com/

December 8th, 2005, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Quote: (Originally Posted by MarkEm) Anything else to add to the list (apart from service kits and a bench vise)? I'd recommend getting Vance Harlow's book, Scuba Regulator Maintenance and Repair. Not strictly necessary, but very useful and has lots of information about configuring the regs and troubleshooting, etc. It even has schematics for regs from a number of manufacturers (ok, so I know htese are available on the web as well). __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

December 8th, 2005, 12:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	There is a reliable source of Apeks kits here in the UK, although I'm not sure whether they want it shouting around... Graham, can you get Scubapro kits? I managed to get some Mk20 kits from the States, but have been having trouble finding them for my G250s, Mk16 and R380s. __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

December 8th, 2005, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
p_prasse(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 14	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick) Won't you need a guage to set the ip's etc? Jep, an IP gauge should definitely be in the list. Don't use to much lube for the o-rings. A thin film is enough.

December 8th, 2005, 10:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
daz(Offline) "Don't worry I'm approved" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 209	Well I've done a service on a couple of Oceanic 1st stages and 1 Apeks 1st stage. In my experience the Apeks are fairly simple in design and don't seem to require any particular 'tips of the trade' that you can't find in the manuals. It isn't rocket science, I'm pretty sure if I can do it successfully then anyone with some common sense, service manuals and a bit of time and care can do it. The only tools and consumables I have are :- Ultrasonic bath (With citric acid crystals, available from company that supplies the ingredients for making soap) small toothbrush O ring pick, IP gauge hook spanner bar handle to screw into HP/MP port Krytox Lube Airgun that plugs into a LP infrator (Useful for popping the diaphragm out, and drying off) Plus the various assortment of adjustables/spanners/hex keys required for ports and hoses. The only word of advice I would offer is to stagger your servicing, so only do one first stages and one second stages at the same time. It's not that I lack confidence but better to be safe than sorry. HTH, Daz

December 8th, 2005, 11:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
PBrown (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 198	where are people obtaining their service kits from? cheers, Paul

December 8th, 2005, 12:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
graham_hk(Offline) Pinoy ako pinoy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here, there and everywhere Posts: 779	I can get service kits here in Asia and bring them back to UK at Christmas - let me know via email or PM if you're interested and I'll get a price (I seem to remember something like US20 for a first stage and US10 for second stage)

December 8th, 2005, 02:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
SeaJay(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Beaufort, SC, USA Posts: 162	http://www.deepsouthdivers.org/homeapeks.html The slide show presentation is REALLY useful. Links to everything you need is provided.

December 8th, 2005, 02:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
tstonedvr(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 16	Just a word of warning...be very careful of the lever on the second stage...don't remove it....if it is bent at all you have to chunk it because you will never get it to work right again....if you can get hold of the Aqualung go -no- go guage for the starting point of the lever height you will be a step ahead...most of the time if this is set right I never have to set anything again once I put it on the flowmeter/magnahelic....getting a .8 on average on the cracking pressure most ever time.... Yarg