Alec shows how to service your own regulator to make it easer to work and maybe last longer. This tip does not replace regular service from an authorized professional scuba technician.
***** Alec Peirce Scuba *****
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41 Comments
i love that you are taking apart the second stage on camera. I love understanding how my equipment works, and rather than me opening it up and breaking things, I can see how to do it without damaging any of my equipment. Thank you Alec.
Very informative!!
Thanks a million.
Great video and thanks for showing how to do this.
One of the best how-to videos I've seen on YouTube. Very well done and well presented. I would probably have recommended using the butt end of the toothbrush to push the diaphragm into place rather than a screwdriver but only because some people don't have such a gentle touch with a screwdriver! Very interesting info. Thanks. I'm going to check out the rest of your videos, too.
cool tips thank you
Love these Tech Tip videos, Alec! Great information to have; thanks and keep up the great work!
It's a real shame that the manufacturers make it such a taboo subject to service one's own regulators.
I learned how to do it by going to authorized workshops when I worked at a dive shop, however, there is a huge difference between someone that is a technician and one that understands the nuances of regulator service.
Schematics and tools are available on the internet, and slowly but surely parts kits are becoming more available, too.
Years ago when automobile manufacturers tried to insist that only original factory parts should be used, an aftermarket mecca was created. I'm really surprised that someone hasn't sued over anyone not being able to buy parts.
I'm an independent scuba diving instructor now. Working with customers hands on has created a community that is sometimes lost in the business of scuba.
I think most adults are wise enough to know their limits of their technical abilities. Some might even be better than store trained.
Cheers.
Alec, I know you don't like to promote brands, but I've been reading that some regulators are more costly to service than others. I guess it is the cost of materials and extra labor. Is there and easy way o find out which regulators are expensive to service?
Alec, any chance you can expand on this a little more with a follow up video? Specifically how to check and monitor the health of your regulators. If you acquire the correct tools, is adjusting the 2nd stage something the average dive could or should do?
Hey Alec love the videos. I'm new in the sport, and have been wondering, if a LDS doesn't service the specific brand regulator you may purchase, say from the Internet, what can you do to service it? thanks again.
tim
No disrespect here, just inserting my experience and opinion. I have been diving for over 40 years. At least 80 dives a year. I have paid for 2 regulator service charge in my whole life. First one I was talked into it and it was a fail. Not sure why I did the second one. My reg for last 10 years plus is a Scuba Pro S600T and MK25T , actually I have a few of them. I have never serviced any of them, not once. After a 10 day dive trip I just wash it and squirt a little salt away into both stages. Let it dry and put in a bag and keep in a dry place. I always bring a backup with me just in case and rebuilding kit I never used. You say once a year or even 2 times a year. I could buy a new one and be ahead of the game right now, I don't trust any service place, no one would be more careful than myself or better than factory that builds them. I have checked them with a Intermediate Pressure Gauge and check to be sure they breath within 125-140 and adjust if not. I guess if you can't adjust then maybe time for new parts. A spring maybe. Leaving for Indonesia again in a few months. Bringing same reg and same spare.
That was very helpful and so easy regulator works so much better now Thanks!
Has anyone ever had a noisy buffeting from an exhaust valve in the second stage?
Could this same cleaning / servicing be performed on a scubapro s560?
hi i love your video thabks
Appreciate your tech tips. Thank you.
Hi there, I just bought 2 Dacor xle pacer regulators and a couple aqualung bcd's of the same vintage. None of the equipment has been used in a couple years and I was wondering what kind of service the regulators and the bcd's need to go through in order to dive again or if they will ever be serviceable. Will the dive shop be able to get parts for the reg's or are they just gonna tell me to buy a new one? I'm on a pretty tight budget so I'm hoping to be able to work with what I've got. Thanks in advance.
Hey Alec, just bought a Dacor H.U.B bcd with Viper Tec 2nd stage regulator, used of course. I cleaned and took apart the 2nd stage, but I forgot where the o'ring goes on the poppy seat. Does it sit just above the threads on the left or in the groove around the allen keyed adjustment knob.
Brother Alec, another VERY well presented instructional video from you! Quick question: I have read that disassembled 2nd stage parts can be cleaned by soaking in a 50% white vinegar/ 50% distilled water solution. What are your feelings on this? And secondly, you mention (for in-field care) washing 2nd stage in "soapy-water?" Are you using regular dish-washing liquid in water to do this? Thanks again very much for your awesome videos!
Hi Alec. Just one note, why you aware from pressing the lever?. I think that was well set in your other video that, while the rubber cap or plug are in place in the first stage, there is no chance for the water to came in through the second stage. Thank you for your videos and for give us technical reason instead of myth or "i heard it to a friend of a friend".
HOw many takes does this take? This had to have been scripted because no other scuba instructional video has this much professionalism in one take!
Alveolar, alveopalatal, or postalveolar click.
annoying.?
absolutely annoying!
Nervous habit, akin to "ahh, so, ehh …" ETC.
It is a method of keeping the audiences
attention and actually distracts from the
message being/attempting to be conveyed.
Try a "pause" instead. It draws the listener
back in & the spoken word holds more
meaning/is more captivating.
I was searching for the mk10/ r190 service info, not the weird descendant of the mk 2. patent resolved-souped up version of the us diver single stage/hybrid.
The scuba-pro inventors of the "mk 10, 15, and 20" which eventually broke away from the (legal-ish crap, with no malice, ill-will, slander, or otherwise degradation of SP, affiliates nor individuals associated within this commentary in its entirety)
"as perceived by the public", "alleged" hierarchal bullshit of scuba-pro and formed their own company, "ATOMIC" which were, in essence, the designers of the said designed units the original of the mk 10/ r190. the atomic company came out with 6 designs, i think, initially all based on the these units 2nd stages followed the relative same/similar pattern. A1/A2 single stage and 2 stage.
Most don't know that factoid.
my point is, how to obtain parts and seals for my mk10/r190?
Any tip on where to get a cover? Or make one? Both my covers are gone.
Hi Alec, I have a Scubapro C350 2nd stage and one time I got rolled over by a massive wave which made me fall on the sandy beach and got a lot of sand on all of my gears. I tried cleaning all of it (BC and everything) and I don't have any problem, except for my 2nd stage. I tried using it again for another dive, it works well, except that the venturi level become hard to turn. After that last dive, I tried turning it on and off on the surface, but it's really hard and tough, when I turn I hear like some soft sand is trapped in it. Is it possible to solve this problem by dismantling it like this video? Or is it better off for me to go to the Scubapro service shop? Or any tip to solve this problem? It's not dangerous to dive with it is it? Thanks Alec.
It's a plastic piece of junk😂😂😂😂 get a nice chromed Dacor Olympic 400 for class and ever lasting toughness!
Hi Alec, great videos. I have a regulator marked 'Conshelf 20 Aqua-Lung' I bought it in 85-ish. It is blue and circular fronted with holes.I haven't used it much and it is immaculate. I can't really get anyone to service it, they want me to "buy a new one". I can understand shops wanting to make sales, but this is a really attractive piece of kit. I had the unit serviced 2 years ago and have only used twice since. This year again, I am finding it very difficult in UK to get anyone to service it. It looks ok from the outside and the diaphragm looks nice and flexible and clear. It doesn't seem to have a locking-pin, but has a hexagonal bolt with a torque setting indicator on the side. I have bought a service kit and am very practical. What is the hex bolt all about? The blue front of the reg just has holes in a circular pattern and following this vid I was thinking of twisting it – as it is that old style regulator – then it occurred that the hex bolt might be in place of the locking-pin?
Fantastic. Making the unknown clear to us noobs. Your videos and knowledge are always appreciated.!
Hey Alec, at 4:07 did you say "don't press the purge button"?
If so, what led to your change of heart prior to production of your episode:
Scuba Tech Tips: Go Ahead, Push The Purge When Rinsing – S05E15
Which is better hand held computer spg or hud ( heads up display)
If thats literally all the guts inside a 2nd stage, why would someone pay $80.00 to have it serviced somewhere else ???
Very Well Said. Thanks.
Hey, Alec, have you ever serviced a second stage that doesn't have a front cover that unscrews? Mine isn't round, and it doesn't appear that it unscrews to take off. I don't really want to go messing with it for fear that I break something; any advice?
I need a list of newer secound stages that are piston and balanced only love your tech tips watching this channel has already help me be a better driver and I've been diving since 88
Another great vid. Thanks Alec!
hi mr pierce , i just bought 3 us divers 2nd stages where can i get rebuild parts and the special tool for disassembly, they are old but look very tough and useable again . thanks dan
Hey Alec, what do you have to do in terms of training to become a certified tech? How do you go about getting certified and learning ?
You're like the Bob Ross of Scuba! I am going through all your video series. Thanks for doing this.
Sometimes I see O-rings leak from where the hose goes into various components including the first stage. Can we safely just disconnect a hose to put a fresh O-ring on a first stage?
Gosh, I am several years late in finding this video but Alec is GREAT. What a nice , knowledgable person. Alec's expressions and mannerisms are very trusting. THANK YOU Mr. Peirce!! GREAT video.