Anglesey Divers

Porthole

WHAT WE DO

How We Service Your Regulators


So what does happen to your life support equipment after it crosses our shop counter and disappears for a week or two?  


 
Step 1 – Cursory Inspection
Step 1 – Cursory Inspection
We check for the obvious such as perished mouthpieces, hoses and cracked valve bodies. At this point we can often provide you with a cost estimate. If we find something broken that looks expensive we will contact you before going any further.
Step 2 - Testing
Step 2 - Testing
We get the tools and gauges out and check the inter-stage pressure and also look for pressure creep. Many apparent problems with second stages are actually problems with first stages. For example a worn high pressure valve seat in the first stage will cause a ‘creeping’ inter-stage pressure rather than a constant pressure. Most second stages are designed as ‘downstream’ valves which means that if they are over pressurized they will be forced open. You then experience problems such as leaks at the second stage and even tendency to free flow. We then check the flow from the second stage. This is not a measured but subjective assessment of the second stage. For example, an Apeks ATx40 when properly set up will start to supply air when the purge button is depressed about 2mm. With the venturi switch set to ‘+’ a ATx40 will readily free flow when the purge button is fully depressed. However this should stop promptly when the switch is pushed to ‘-‘ or when you put your hand over the mouthpiece to create back pressure. Finally we check for air leaks from the regulator and it’s fittings, and negative pressure leaks to see if you’ve been breathing water with your air.
Step 3 - Disassembly
Step 3 - Disassembly
By now we have a pretty good idea of what we’re looking for when we come to dismantle your regulator. So we take it to bits and separate all of the components to avoid confusion at reassembly. All of the parts are inspected closely and we report on the condition of the regulator. At this point we can really see how well your kit has been looked after. You name it and we have found it inside regulators; spiders and dried vomit to name but two of the unsavoury things we have discovered!
 Step 4 - Cleaning
Step 4 - Cleaning
Metal parts go into the ultrasonic bath in a special solution depending on whether it’s de-scaling or degreasing that’s required. For plastic parts it’s nothing lavish, just hot water, detergent, and lots of elbow grease. The parts are displayed on trays and racked for drying. We even clean the ends of direct feeds and get the salt deposits out of those.
Step 5 - Inspection (again)
Step 5 - Inspection (again)
It’s amazing what you spot once something is clean. Stress cracks in second stage casings are easier to spot with the dirt and sand out of the way as is wear and pitting on high pressure valves. Also we check the new service parts because even brand new service parts have been found to be faulty on rare occasions.
 Step 6 - Reassembly
Step 6 - Reassembly
Now we start the head scratching and try to remember what went where (only joking!). With the aid of the relevant service manuals and assembly drawings we reassemble your regulator with only the manufacturers recommended service parts and lubricants.
Step 7 – Final Testing and Reporting
Step 7 – Final Testing and Reporting
This is the quality assurance part of the process where we set up, adjust and finally test the performance of the regulator. Again, inter-stage pressure, pressure creep and flow are checked. We check for leaks and finally test the inhalation and exhalation resistance of the regulator. We then write everything up neatly on a service report together with the evidence (ie the old parts for you to inspect).

Your regulator is returned to you with our own 3 month parts and labour warranty. We are pleased to report that our warranty returns are less than 1% of our work.


Check out our ‘Top Tips’ for looking after your life support equipment  


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Anglesey Divers
If you require further advice please contact us on  01407 764 545 or  info@diveanglesey.co.uk