Another season in the books! Great year diving New England with the crew on Sundays. Big thing this year - New Semi Dry 7/8 mm front zip wet suit! Even though drysuit certified, not going in the cold! Thanks Alec for all you do to support and educate us.
The Purge on my Octo came apart in 30 feet during AOW. This was a New Reg Set with only a handful of dives. The shop repaired it during the service. Then the 1st stage blew out when the associate Bench tested it. I contacted the Manufacturer as a Backup set (Identical) recently purchased had the Same problem with the Octo. Sherwood Scuba contacted me. They replaced the 1st Stage, Primary 2nd and hose. As they had me send it in for inspection. This is a Genesis Prana Reg and Octo. Sherwood Console.
First, good that you survived the Octo meltdown. Second good to get the LDS involved to verify for the maker the issue. Hope is has not soured you on Sherwood as I know this happens to every maker at some point. A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter When I spoke to the Rep at Sherwood. He apologized about the Octo. When I informed him of the First Stage Blowout, He had Genesis send me a replacement unit. If the Octo didn't come apart in 30 Feet on Sat, I would've used it in 65 Ft Deep Dive on Sun morning. Which could've been Disastrous. As our DM had to help another student with a Free Flow. He had to bring him to the surface.
I have been a reg service tech for 14 years and unfortunately there can be a big difference between what some shops do compared to others. Where I work there are three items for reg service. 1 a full overhaul . This includes full disassembly, sonically clean all metal parts in a proper solution,soap and water scrub all plastic and mouth pieces,reassembly with brand reg specific kits. O2 friendly lube and then tuning. 2 we call a bi annual dissemble second stages sonic clean metal ,soap and water clean plastic re lube reassemble and retune. 3 is a function test. Check operating pressures and function, retune if necessary. The prices for kits are pretty much set by the manufacturer and yes they are to much. Some manufacturers offer a parts warranty program, I highly recommend them , they can save you a fortune and every year your regs get professional care. I’ve seen a lot of crap over the years hope this helps people.
Good tips and thanks for sharing you own experiences as a service pro. Few shops list service as 3 levels as most customers would think 'cheap' is best. I had one price, full service, but with the "as needed" in case some items can be skipped/reduced to save costs. A
on a liveaboard i found out that there is a difference between a reg service and a reg tuning. the dm told me my 2nd stage was leaking i said to him that i just had it serviced he said it doesn't mean it was tuned. turns out there's a screw adjustment between the hose and the 2nd stages and it needed tightening or fine tuned.
I'd go back to the service centre and ask for a refund. All regs should be tuned as part of the service, it's akin to buying a set of tyres (yes it's the correct spelling) and the tyre centre not inflating them before putting them on your car.
In all my stores, there was no tuning charge. If serviced, then tuning (ie breathing adjustment) was required to adjust after the parts were replaced. Any shop that says tuning is needed after parts replaced is not a place to return to. A
When you get your regulator serviced/overhauled, should the shop give you back the old parts it replaced? Also, should they give you test results/adjustments they performed? I’ve seen it both ways and i prefer getting old parts and report back. Which way SHOULD it be?
Yes, all replaced parts should be bagged and returned to prove what was replaced. I covered this in a previous video. The standard should be always return and let the customer decide what to do with the old parts. When I, and Kevin, were teaching, we kept the parts bag to show new divers the many weird parts. A
What do you think about Cressi regulators ( 1st and 2nd stages ) ? I like Cressi wetsuits but all I know about their regulators is that they are durable ( scuba centers use them ). Any good ? Thanks
Regulators get a reputation, good or bad, from their quality, service and support. Cressi is one of many large worldwide brands so you need to determine for yourself if you want to buy one. Suggest finding a dive store, and hold feel several makes, ask to test in a pool a final 1-2 and decide for yourself as its your $$ and comfort. I don't make recommendations as it's a personal and budget pick for many. A
I Googled and found several 1st stage kits for $43 - $53 USD for various models. Service techs may get for slightly less and a better deal on volume buys if they service a lot of the same make. A
You are absolutely correct. That is the way dive shops. Do that job at 1 time? I thought the regulator the whole thing was a system. And I was paying to have that system serviced. No I am paying to have parts of that system. Serviced, the rest of stupid does not get any attention. So So word to the wise out there ask
These prices are completely unjustifiable and make no sense anymore. How is servicing preferable to buying a new regulator? I bought a new reg last summer instead of paying 80€ for servicing my old one. You shop owners have lost contact with reality and make the sport inaccessible.
There is a school of thought that soon you will 'buy' a set of regs and if you return them within 2 years, you will get a replacement set for about the cost of a service..... It's taking the 'Parts for Life' model to it's conclusion. Of course if you're the type of person who likes to see how much corrosion you can accumulate on a first stage, I think you will be Sh1t out of luck....
Let me disagree as a LDS owner of many stores in Ontario. We are a business and do our best to support customers but our costs are decided by manufactures of parts and our labour. How can a new reg cost more than 80pds and will you do that every year? Good service extends the life of good regs. A
Another season in the books! Great year diving New England with the crew on Sundays. Big thing this year - New Semi Dry 7/8 mm front zip wet suit! Even though drysuit certified, not going in the cold! Thanks Alec for all you do to support and educate us.
Sounds great and happy new year (early). Sounds like a warm suit that comes with its own internal water heater!!
A
as in most rebuild operations, the time ( man and machine ) worth more than the parts kit.
excellent topic
excellent video
Thanks 👍 Very true.
A
I Should of asked but I wondered about this.
Hope this answered your questions.
A
The Purge on my Octo came apart in 30 feet during AOW. This was a New Reg Set with only a handful of dives. The shop repaired it during the service. Then the 1st stage blew out when the associate Bench tested it. I contacted the Manufacturer as a Backup set (Identical) recently purchased had the Same problem with the Octo. Sherwood Scuba contacted me. They replaced the 1st Stage, Primary 2nd and hose. As they had me send it in for inspection. This is a Genesis Prana Reg and Octo. Sherwood Console.
First, good that you survived the Octo meltdown. Second good to get the LDS involved to verify for the maker the issue. Hope is has not soured you on Sherwood as I know this happens to every maker at some point.
A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter When I spoke to the Rep at Sherwood. He apologized about the Octo. When I informed him of the First Stage Blowout, He had Genesis send me a replacement unit. If the Octo didn't come apart in 30 Feet on Sat, I would've used it in 65 Ft Deep Dive on Sun morning. Which could've been Disastrous. As our DM had to help another student with a Free Flow. He had to bring him to the surface.
I have been a reg service tech for 14 years and unfortunately there can be a big difference between what some shops do compared to others. Where I work there are three items for reg service. 1 a full overhaul . This includes full disassembly, sonically clean all metal parts in a proper solution,soap and water scrub all plastic and mouth pieces,reassembly with brand reg specific kits. O2 friendly lube and then tuning.
2 we call a bi annual dissemble second stages sonic clean metal ,soap and water clean plastic re lube reassemble and retune.
3 is a function test. Check operating pressures and function, retune if necessary. The prices for kits are pretty much set by the manufacturer and yes they are to much. Some manufacturers offer a parts warranty program, I highly recommend them , they can save you a fortune and every year your regs get professional care. I’ve seen a lot of crap over the years hope this helps people.
Good tips and thanks for sharing you own experiences as a service pro. Few shops list service as 3 levels as most customers would think 'cheap' is best. I had one price, full service, but with the "as needed" in case some items can be skipped/reduced to save costs.
A
on a liveaboard i found out that there is a difference between a reg service and a reg tuning. the dm told me my 2nd stage was leaking i said to him that i just had it serviced he said it doesn't mean it was tuned. turns out there's a screw adjustment between the hose and the 2nd stages and it needed tightening or fine tuned.
The " tune " is just a part of a correct service.
I'd go back to the service centre and ask for a refund. All regs should be tuned as part of the service, it's akin to buying a set of tyres (yes it's the correct spelling) and the tyre centre not inflating them before putting them on your car.
In all my stores, there was no tuning charge. If serviced, then tuning (ie breathing adjustment) was required to adjust after the parts were replaced. Any shop that says tuning is needed after parts replaced is not a place to return to.
A
When you get your regulator serviced/overhauled, should the shop give you back the old parts it replaced? Also, should they give you test results/adjustments they performed? I’ve seen it both ways and i prefer getting old parts and report back. Which way SHOULD it be?
Yes, all replaced parts should be bagged and returned to prove what was replaced. I covered this in a previous video. The standard should be always return and let the customer decide what to do with the old parts. When I, and Kevin, were teaching, we kept the parts bag to show new divers the many weird parts.
A
What do you think about Cressi regulators ( 1st and 2nd stages ) ? I like Cressi wetsuits but all I know about their regulators is that they are durable ( scuba centers use them ). Any good ? Thanks
Regulators get a reputation, good or bad, from their quality, service and support. Cressi is one of many large worldwide brands so you need to determine for yourself if you want to buy one. Suggest finding a dive store, and hold feel several makes, ask to test in a pool a final 1-2 and decide for yourself as its your $$ and comfort. I don't make recommendations as it's a personal and budget pick for many.
A
Hi! Can you pls give a specific example of a first stage service kit that would cost 50 USD to an authorized service technician? I am very curious!
I Googled and found several 1st stage kits for $43 - $53 USD for various models. Service techs may get for slightly less and a better deal on volume buys if they service a lot of the same make.
A
You are absolutely correct. That is the way dive shops. Do that job at 1 time? I thought the regulator the whole thing was a system. And I was paying to have that system serviced. No I am paying to have parts of that system. Serviced, the rest of stupid does not get any attention. So
So word to the wise out there ask
Unless your one of those tec divers with money to burn.
A
Is there a way to contact you directly? I have a few questions about the business side of scuba.
Contact me at: aleccpeirce@gmail.com
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunterDone. Hopefully it doesn’t land in your junk folder.
These prices are completely unjustifiable and make no sense anymore. How is servicing preferable to buying a new regulator? I bought a new reg last summer instead of paying 80€ for servicing my old one. You shop owners have lost contact with reality and make the sport inaccessible.
There is a school of thought that soon you will 'buy' a set of regs and if you return them within 2 years, you will get a replacement set for about the cost of a service..... It's taking the 'Parts for Life' model to it's conclusion. Of course if you're the type of person who likes to see how much corrosion you can accumulate on a first stage, I think you will be Sh1t out of luck....
Let me disagree as a LDS owner of many stores in Ontario. We are a business and do our best to support customers but our costs are decided by manufactures of parts and our labour. How can a new reg cost more than 80pds and will you do that every year? Good service extends the life of good regs.
A