SP 2nd Stage Service ?

[juls64]

Is anyone here an authorized repair tech or just vastly familiar with repair? I am looking to establish a network for equipment questions. Not for the general public, just for me!

As an example, here is my current issue. On SP regs, they now have that cute little pin with the cute little bend in it to use on the 2nd stage front covers. While I find it a PITA to put the things in, It can be a physical hazard trying to remove them. Does anyone have a special technique to get the little b*st**ds out?

Julie

[SLIM]

Yup I just happen to be a SP tech and do alot of work for many special costomers. I know what you are talking about. The little black thingy that is use to hold the faceplate to the reg and keep it from untwisting. I do not have any of those in any of mine. I have taken them all out of my personal regs and I have just a few. Ask The Skull.

You can use anything almost to get it out. From a brass pic al the way to a small allen wrenc or a fork. You should be able to just push it from an slot on the faceplate carful not to go to far and damage the Diaphram and get it started then pul it out or take a tiny flatblade screw driver and slip it underneath. If you are after more then that you will need to PM me.

SLIM

[juls64]

Slim-

Yep just about anything gets them out. But the newer ones, the ones with the little hook thing on the end aren't quite so nice. Do you find those easy to remove? The tops are pretty flush with the cover and there is one little diveted area to get a pic underneath so it is hard to use needle nose or anything to really grasp it. I find I am picking at them for awhile. I just know there is an easier way. I will talk to SP, but I thought someone here could share an idea.

Julie

[reefraff]

Is anyone here an authorized repair tech or just vastly familiar with repair? I am looking to establish a network for equipment questions. Not for the general public, just for me!

As an example, here is my current issue. On SP regs, they now have that cute little pin with the cute little bend in it to use on the 2nd stage front covers. While I find it a PITA to put the things in, It can be a physical hazard trying to remove them. Does anyone have a special technique to get the little b*st**ds out?

JulieI'm manufacturer trained on several brands and like the idea of a technician-only forum. It would be nice to have a place to discuss things just like you have mentioned, as well as to indulge in the periodic rant about boneheaded manufacturers, dive shops, customers, etc. How to manage admission would seem to be problematic and the whole idea probably gives the manufacturers the cold sweats, however. I don't think the internet is a good place for the general public to be getting information about how to adjust the IP or polish the knife edge on their regulators.

I see some SP regs from time to time but I'm not familiar with the new pin design. I'm with SLIM, I've got four SP regs of my own that I forgot to replace the pins in years ago. ;) That's harder to do with gear that doesn't belong to me, however.

The answer that you get from SP would be a good piece of information for the new forum...

[DeepDiverBob]

Very well said. I know from being around my LDS, they do see a lot of gear come in that people have tried to do their own maint on, and screwed things up. I guess people dont understand the concept of voiding their warranty.

[juls64]

A new forum would be good.

[SLIM]

I do have to say this. Repairing regs is not rocket engineriging. I have for to many years had to work on regs that a DIVE SHOP Tech worked on and did not put any TLC into it. Just another job for them. When it was " just serviced" and the parts that were put in it are no longer availave because they have newer and better designs. I will say this. 90% of all Techinal Divers work on thiers. If you have a basics for mechanical work like working on a car or anything like that and can read directions, then if you have the propper tools and books. It is easy. THa hard part is getting the kits and propper O-Rings to use. Most are not off shelf like you can get at a auot store. Some companies you can purchase the kits some you can only get them if you are a dealer. A good diver should be able to do some basic maintance and upkeep on a reg. Remmber, it is your life that you are putting on it or a buddies. Do you trust your skills?

SLIM

[reefraff]

I do have to say this. Repairing regs is not rocket engineriging. I have for to many years had to work on regs that a DIVE SHOP Tech worked on and did not put any TLC into it. Just another job for them. When it was " just serviced" and the parts that were put in it are no longer availave because they have newer and better designs. I will say this. 90% of all Techinal Divers work on thiers. If you have a basics for mechanical work like working on a car or anything like that and can read directions, then if you have the propper tools and books. It is easy. THa hard part is getting the kits and propper O-Rings to use. Most are not off shelf like you can get at a auot store. Some companies you can purchase the kits some you can only get them if you are a dealer. A good diver should be able to do some basic maintance and upkeep on a reg. Remmber, it is your life that you are putting on it or a buddies. Do you trust your skills?

SLIMI agree with you - there are a lot of mechanically inclined people in this world who, with a little experience and training, should be able to perform at least some of the service on their regulators.

It's important to remember that us DIY-inclined people will, by nature, almost always understimate the job initially. (Famous last words: "Hey, that looks like fun. How hard can it be?") We also have a hard time understanding that most people aren't like us and won't be able to learn how to do the work safely and effectively.

DIY-types are drawn to diving because of the toys and the tools and the drama of working on fancy and expensive gear. As individuals, there are lots of learning opportunities your basic DIY-guy can find. The internet, because it doesn't really permit observation, correction and reinforcement by the "teacher", should not be one of them, at least until the student has enough basic knowledge to be able to visualize and implement the skills without verification.

Not withstanding the fact that many technical divers work on their own gear, most of them learn in a one-on-one, face-to-face situation and not from a cyber-diving wanna-be that read about it on the internet. Even if he read about it on the Quest list.

When in doubt, consider the question from this angle: many of us believe that there is a real problem with too many dive shop technicians being underqualified to do the work, despite being manufacturer trained and despite having lots of opportunity to practice. If this is true, how many guys that only read about it on the internet and only get to work on the few regulators that they own are ever going to become truly qualified?

Then again, as an occasional DSM, regulators brought in with damage from a failed DIY maintenance attempts provide a good chunk of revenue and sometimes are fun, or at least challenging, to work on. So all you all, get busy. Bust open that face plate and let me tell you how to reset the cracking pressure...;)

[M&P+4]

It's important to remember that us DIY-inclined people will, by nature, almost always understimate the job initially. (Famous last words: "Hey, that looks like fun. How hard can it be?") We also have a hard time understanding that most people aren't like us and won't be able to learn how to do the work safely and effectively.

DIY-types are drawn to diving because of the toys and the tools and the drama of working on fancy and expensive gear. As individuals, there are lots of learning opportunities your basic DIY-guy can find. The internet, because it doesn't really permit observation, correction and reinforcement by the "teacher", should not be one of them, at least until the student has enough basic knowledge to be able to visualize and implement the skills without verification.

Bust open that face plate and let me tell you how to reset the cracking pressure...;)

I had to laugh...some of what you say applies to me.

DIY for me is driven by a desire to fix stuff and I believe that many people have this basic desire. What is sometimes lost is the ability to know how something works and therfore know how to trouble shoot and repair (or maintain).

One of the things on my "want to do" list this year is to be at the LDS when he does my annual inspecitons....maybe he'll show my how to reset the cracking pressure!;)

[do it easy]

Lately, it seems as if I've been exploring the dark side of DIY- breaking stuff. The switch on my can light was misbehaving, so I thought that I would disassemble everything so that I could have a look-see. Everything works still, but the very expensive HID bulb is now in 2 pieces instead of a very solid single piece. The reflector cracked as I was taking it out. I think that I'll just glue it back together and pray, since the bulb only has 100 out of the 1000 hours life. Of course, I'll use the money that I would have spent on a new bulb and buy better back up lights.

I did some accident analysis and I forgot a critical part of my DIY creed- I forgot to have a beer in one hand while I was working on the light! Having only one free hand will keep you out of so much trouble. And soaking regulator parts in beer is NOT a form of ultrasonic cleaning!

[juls64]

And soaking regulator parts in beer is NOT a form of ultrasonic cleaning!

You gave me an idea. Soaking mouthpieces in Tabasco!

[do it easy]

You gave me an idea. Soaking mouthpieces in Tabasco!

Try it on Steve first and let me know how it goes. Just warn me so that I don't do any air sharing drills with him.