gear servicing

[nitram]

My buddy and I started diving in March 06". Took our classes here and ow in Cozumel. Came home and took aow at Pearl Lake here. With all the crud in the water my reg free flowed several times. I took it in to my LDS where we bought them. After a 2 second adjustment he gave it back & we left. Have gone down twice since with no problem but feel a little apprehensive. We are going back to Coz in Jan,07 and I wanted my reg's cleaned & serviced before we go. My LDS said it's only covered & nec once a year and since we got them in April they won't be covered for service til April again. Thought's about this & if I paid to get it done (just for peace of mind) what would a fair price be?

[reefraff]

Most shops will charge you between $15 and $25 per stage to inspect and tune a regulator. If work needs to be done beyond reassembly, you might pay a little higher. Those rates won't include parts, but they should still be in good shape.

As to what's a fair rate, ask yourself this: would you like for the technician who works on your gear to be paid like he was a busboy or a mechanic? Assuming you get what you pay for, I think technicians should be earning closer to $25.00 an hour than $5.00 an hour. Speaking as an occasional technician, of course. :D

Must be a piston regulator.

[SLIM]

I would say this. $25 per stage is a resonable price plus parts. There are some parts that will be damaged once they are removed. No matter if it is coverd only once a year, once the regulator has been opened it needs to be serviced properly with new parts and lubricated properly. Even if you only get 1 time a year for free parts and have to pay anytime between is not a bad deal. I think that the more gear is used the more it needs to be serviced and the more diferant kinds of water it is used in needs to be serviced. I am a Service Tec and see regs from al inds of water and ones that have only been partly done bye a shop just to get it back working. Insist that they do a annual service on it and that you will have it done every 6 months and pay full price every other time. The LDS should help out some since it sounds like the reg is still new. I am begining to wonder if it was set up propper before the let it out of the shop.

SLIM

[Laser]

If you get them serviced again, I'd jump in the water with them at least once before I went on vacation.

[juls64]

My buddy and I started diving in March 06". Took our classes here and ow in Cozumel. Came home and took aow at Pearl Lake here. With all the crud in the water my reg free flowed several times. I took it in to my LDS where we bought them. After a 2 second adjustment he gave it back & we left. Have gone down twice since with no problem but feel a little apprehensive. We are going back to Coz in Jan,07 and I wanted my reg's cleaned & serviced before we go. My LDS said it's only covered & nec once a year and since we got them in April they won't be covered for service til April again. Thought's about this & if I paid to get it done (just for peace of mind) what would a fair price be?


After reading everything, then re-reading the original post again. This is what I was thinking. It seems like perhaps they weren't adjusted right after the original purchase or perhaps some sand from Pearl got somewhere it shouldn't and cause the FF. The shop adjusted it and it has worked fine the last 2x. It is still new and that is by no means heavy usage. I would try to dive with it another time or 2. If still no problems, it might set your mind at ease.

If you do go the service route, you should try them first as Laser mentioned.

Julie

[sobfrogg]

I am begining to wonder if it was set up propper before the let it out of the shop.

SLIM[/quote]



I second that thought. What kind of reg did you get??
I would also ask for the full service.

[nitram]

I have scubapro mk17af/s550 2nd stage with a r295 octopus. I had some sand or stone stuck in my diapraghm and my LDS guy just popped it out with a little pick and re-adjusted it. Here ya go he said. I have not been below 20 feet with it since, and we are going to Cozumel in January. I'm just to new to this to think that it shouldn't have taken a longer look. Am I just paranoid here? Thanks for all the replies and advice. I appreciate it.

[SLIM]

Good to hear that it was not a big deal. It sounds like it was not a adjusment then. Just need to be more carfull of rinsing the gear out.

When are oyu going to Coz? Will be there Jan 10th-15th at Fiestameican.

SLIM

[nitram]

January 21-28. going with another couple and staying at grand occidental. We will be diving with Dive Palancar as we did this year at the Allegro.

[SLIM]

Darn going to miss each other. Guess I cant bye you a drink at C&C then.

SLIM

[nitram]

Always open for a cocktail!! I left the stone in my reg to show the LDS owner the crap from the water. It happened during the dive, not coming out of the water. I don't drag my equipment. He simply popped the tiny stone out & re-adjusted my reg. I was just kind of wondering what else could have got caught up in it.