Servicing Your SPG - Scuba Tech Tips: S06E14
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 พ.ย. 2017
- Divers have asked what is involved in servicing a Submersible Pressure Gauge (SPG)? Alec shows the steps to remove and clean an SPG with a swivel pin.
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Thanks again Alec, always love your videos.
Hi Alex, thanks for great video. Greetengs from Iceland.
Thanks Alec. I always learn somthing new on your channel. Cheers.
Thanks for watching.
A very informative and helpful SPG service tutorial...especially since mine has sprung a small leak 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, keep them comming greetings from Germany
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Wow these vids are awesome!!
Thanks for watching. Alec
I noticed air was leaking from my spg. After watching your video, I opened it up, cleaned everything up and changed the o rings on the swivel pin. It worked. No more leaks. Thank you for this great video.
Thanks Khalid for the comment that this video actually fixed your problem. It's better to replace the swivel pin to get a tighter O-ring fit but for a short term fix, it can save a dive trip.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Super tip Thank you I'm your fan
Welcome 😊
Great video
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Just discovered my son SPG hose had a pin hole leak closer to the guage , just had the whole regulator serviced at a local Dive shop, thanks Alec for your educational videos and tips, learned a lot more here than my equipment speciality course..
Thank you Raynold, much appreciate your feedback.
Thank you buddy small leak whilst diving in scotland....stripped o-rings in good shape just a clean and regrease.......all sorted 👌👌
Nice 👍 Glad it worked for you and safe diving in those super warm Scottish waters!
Hello Alec,
Very informative video, please keep them coming.
I was wondering if you can do a video on servicing the whole regulator?
Regards
The thing there is that every reg is somewhat different. Also decidedly more complex than what can be covered in a 10-15 min tech tip.
Cool, thanks. A story for you: the first time I changed SPG myself I did not realise there was the swivel pin; (plus not knowing of its existence I've thrown it out with the plastic bag it was sold in), and then could not figure out, why the "swivel" became hard and why SPG started to leak air badly. Thanks again, very cool videos.
Funny Karl!
Such a tiny, cheap item and without it you're not going diving.
Good to hear from you.
Alec
Good advice. If you dive in salt water - even if you rinse the gauge thoroughly - that swivel pin can become so corroded that it cannot be removed. That may require the replacement of the hose - or the gauge - or both. Unfortunately I did not learn this from a book or a video.
I don't know why dive service centers don't make SPG swivel pins a priority when serving regs.
It takes less than 5 minutes to change the pin. A reasonable charge for that service is $10.
The pin costs about $2 and retails for about $5.
Total cost to the diver is about $15 for avoiding a big headache.
The dive store makes $13 for 5 minutes.
Everybody wins here!!
Alec
Great video Alec! Can you address the issue of the whistleing scubapro mk25?
I think we talked about whistling regs. The MK25 isn't the only one. I'll check with Kevin. He's always watching these comments so he'll find the vid if we made one. Otherwise I'll do it.
Thanks.
Alec
Hi Alec great video!! on my last dive I saw my HPG got water inside I disconnect the hose and the water wouldn't come out of the gauge what would have caused this to happen. I never saw this before. Thank you.
For water to enter a scuba SPG, there could be a break in the bourdon tube, a housing crack somewhere or connection leak which also means the pressure accuracy is gone and it needs replacing. If you still have it, take it to your LDS service pro and ask to take it apart (its garbage now anyway), to see what caused the water to leak into it. Maybe keep it as a teaching aid to others.
Thank you! Was wondering how to remove rubber boot!
Just be careful. Especially if the boot is old. They can break easily if you don't take it easy.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Great video Alec, I'm wondering how often you would put a new pin in the SPG and would that be something the dive store would have done when my regs were serviced?
I always checked it and having checked it, I always replaced it.
The pin costs like $6 and the hard part is getting to it so once I have it apart I just put in a new one.
Most dive stores won't do that unless asked. It's one of the most common reasons for a lost dive.
Once a year or every 50 dives.
Take care Peter.
Alec
Hi Alec, it's good to see this video.
My question is should I also unpack SPG body and clean inside parts if some seawater had leaked in?
Well is water got into your SPG, us old guys call that a leak, then it should be cleaned and checked. Salt water in the SPG can block the opening giving a false pressure reading so clean and test everything. Sorry for the smart alec remark!
A
Hi Alec, I love your videos! My question is I dive with Nitrox so should I be using O2 lube (something like Cristolube) to grease the o-rings on the swivel?
If using EAN then cristo or equivalent is needed on spool o-rings as they are dynamic (rotating) but just a tiny tiny bit is all.
A
after this came out I went online (ebay) and bought a 10 003 o-rings dive pack (recalled seeing the LDS just swap them out) as swivels are harder to find (correct length, shape) and tube seems easy to clean. After waiting 2 years/80+ dives to clean mine, I realize I need to clean that more often (was very hard to pull old one and quite corroded).
Why not mention using vinegar+q-tip to clean corrosion rather than steel wool (scratch) ?
$1 parts and 10-15min vs $20-30 at the shop - not sure about $50 you mention.
Hello Alec. Thanks for the videos. I have a question about my SPG, it's about 2 years old, and on my last dive trip when I purged the air before removing my first stage from the tank, I noticed it doesn't zero out. it's reading about 200 PSI above 0, and it's stuck like that. Is my SPG garbage now, or can it be fixed to read correctly again? I ask this because in this video you mention that you can't take apart the SPG dial, only the swivel pin.
Modern SPGs are modules and cannot be adjusted or repaired.
The only maintenance is the swivel pin as in my video.
You have 2 choices and either is good.
1. get a new gauge. You can buy the head only for a lot less than a whole gauge. The hose is 1/2 the cost and now you know how
to check the swivel pin. They're available for as little as $40.
2. note that your gauge reads 200 psi over the actual pressure so simply subtract 200 psi from any reading. When full, your tank
will read 3200 psi. When at 500 psi it will only have 300 psi.
Be careful here because it may not read the same error at all pressures. Use a dive store tank pressure gauge to check it at 500,
1000, 1500, 2000 and 3000 psi to be sure. Also watch out because it may start to get worse although not necessarily.
Take care.
Alec
Hi Alex, always enjoy your video but I would love if u can give your comments about dive computer algorithm and how each manufacturer is different?
Perhaps we'll try a tip about that. It can be confusing.
Quickly let me say that the 2 common algorithms, DSAT and RBG, can be used without concern by all recreational divers.. For the last several years dive computers allow divers to switch between them as they choose. The practical differences are minor and in most dive profiles no substantial difference will be noted.
Thank, Alec
Alec Peirce Scuba thanks Alex. Looking forward to more of your video
Q: o-rings. I assume the regular hardware store ones are ok for all LP hoses/connections ? what about HP parts ? I got some 003 ProDive for the swivel (so they should be right type) but used some hardware store one as well (sunnto cobra quick connect) which still leaks a tiny bit (a bubble every 30sec, instead of continuous). Looking at Triden catalog (page 3) I see rubber, viton and EPDM - please explain - frustrating part about DYI is having the right o-ring and there are no sizing info to be found, so you have to match at the hardware store, but how to match dive catalog ?
(Trident R003 is I assume the 003 AS-568 bag I got for swivel, rest is hard to figure...)
Alec, I have one of those OCEANIC single button dive computers (I Know it is about 20 years old) and wonder if I need to bother to replace the o-ring on the push button at all? Still working like a charm, and I put SILICONE lubricant at the push button like once month after a good rinse. How easy is to access that o ring? Dive shop bother to replace them, or is a factory repair item?
Nice video again. Thanks
You can't service the button. Nor can the dive store. I'm not even sure if the factory can.
Soak it in warm soapy water and work the button under the water a few times then rinse. That's it.
Alec
Hi Alec, really enjoyed your videos. I have a question on SPG's flat plastic cover. Once this plastic cover turns white, is it possible to change the cover. The SPG is working fine but problem is that i can't read the gauge (obviously!). Looking forward to your advice
If it's a fairly new SPG, say less than 10 years old, no. They are modular units and cannot be opened.
You must have a lot of dives on that one!
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thanks for replying. I bought this SPG around 13 years ago. Probably made only about 100 dives with it but i dive south east Asia so it did get exposed to the sun quite a bit.
Great video. I'm actually using Carbondive 300 tanks. I have them filled to 300 bars. My old SPGs broke after some dives. I noticed some brands have a scale that finishes at 400 bars, and bought those instead of the ones that have a scale that finishes at 360 bars. Is that a good idea? Do you have other suggestions?
Generally, it's best to use a higher reading gauge than the pressure you are using. That is, tanks using 200 BAR should have a gauge that reads to 300BAR. A tank using 300 BAR should have a gauge that reads to 400 BAR at least.
For longevity and accuracy, use a gauge with the highest number that is twice, or close to twice, the normal operating pressure.
That's what the gauge manufacturers suggest too.
Or get a digital gauge.
Alec
Great video Alec. How was Africa? Montana Mike.
Leave on Thursday for a month of a beautiful country, great shark diving and some hunting too.
I'll be in touch.
Love this video. You are very honest and informative. I am new to diving and am putting my kit together. I was hoping in this video you would have shown inside the Stage 1 HP port hole. I just bought a Cressi XS AC2 Compact. I removed the HP port cap to add a pressure gauge and there is no hole for air flow inside the HP port of stage 1. Shouldn't there be a tiny hole inside there? I have no tank so I have no way to test it.
The HP hole is very small compared to a LP second stage. Look all around the HP port for the opening as it has to be there to pass their quality tests.
Alec
Thank you for the video.
But how can you remove the hose from the console if you need to change to hose for a new one ?
Typical consoles have the HP hose connect to the pressure gauge. No need to remove anything from the console. Need 2 thin wrenched to remove the HP hose, one on the gauge one on the hose. If put on with the right pressure it's just a good 'grunt' twist and off it comes.
A
Hafa Adai from Guam Mr. Alec!
Enjoy your very informative videos and you seem to know a lot about scuba and it’s history...
I wonder if you can help quell my curiosity and bit of frustration regarding SPGs:
1. Why are SPGs marked up to 5000 or even 6000-psi when I imagine most recreational divers (probably the largest scuba market?) fill up to 3000-psi with what I imagine is the most popular aluminum 80s?
2. And why do they mark the SPGs in odd increments (ie 4 hashmarks between 1000 and 2000-psi). I would like to clearly read my spg at 1500-psi.
I know the rule of thirds, but I only dive warm tropical open water and make turnaround at 1500-psi going shallower if need be considering my air supply.
I always thought clearly marking bold hashtags at 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 made more sense and would be more helpful - And with actual numbers printed for 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000. I imagine they can make room on the dial with those hashmarks and numbers if max psi was printed at 3500 instead of 6000. Or maybe it’s just me who likes to clearly know when my air is at halfway point at 1500-psi?
3. I understand there is another realm in technical diving... So does technical diving have a need for such required markings up to 6000-psi?
Thanks for your time and feedback!
Lots of questions so let me try to answer them all quickly (fingers get tired typing).
1. SPG go up to 5,000 generally match the MAXimum psi any tank could hold (before the burst disk cracked). Any psi lower and a high psi tank could bend the needle if it hit the maximum limit damaging the SPG.
2. Most gauges use 4 not 3 marks to indicate 20, 40, 60, 80 not 25, 50, 75. This is for a more accurate reading in 20 psi increments.
3. Tech divers use SPG's much more than recreational
divers as they are very reliable, easy to read and you many need several with one per tank.
Hope this help my friend. Loved Guam as we went to/from Truk Lagoon years ago.
Thank you for your time to reply. Yes, Guam is the “Gateway to Micronesia” so you will make a stop here to get to the other islands. We have some great dives here too. Not as famous as our neighbors in Palau, Yap, Chuuk (Truk),etc
Thank you for the video!
Is "calibrating an SPG" part of the process you showed in this video or is it something else?
1 friend of mine, had his SPG working fine predive, he reached a certain depth, the spg showed the tank had half full, while in reality it was almost empty.. he was suprised when he suddenly heard the air is almost empty where he had to go to surface in an emergency ascent. He almost died.
This has happened to his friend as well, using a different SPG, someone told them they have to calibrate their SPG.
All SPG's, from the first Sea-Vue to today, do NOT require calibration for one reason only. They are not designed to be opened by divers/service techs after manufacture. Suggest you read this full discussion on this subject from www.scubaboard.com: www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/question-why-cant-you-calibrate-spg.454816/
Nice one. I could have used this last year with a leaking HP hose/Computer connection, but now I know. shop didn't charge much like $10 do replace O rings on 2 sets, so no biggie.
But that 'high tech' cleaning device isn't link free - not worried about leaving a fiber in there ? take care and enjoy S Africa - you gonna take that shark stick with CO2 cartridge down there ? :) might need it...
Thanks Alain.
Lint-free is a good concern but Q-Tips are just too handy to avoid. I don't think there's a danger. This isn't a spy satellite you know!
BTW, I used to replace the O-Rings on the SPG swivels but it's simply too hard, even with the installation tool. Besides, the cost of the O-Rings plus the extra aggravation of cleaning the old pin and installing the new way-too-small O-Rings probably costs more than just a new pin with rings.
Not many stores will routinely service the swivel when servicing your reg. Kinda' like the tire guy changing your tires and not mentioning that your brakes are shot!! Has he done a good job or not?
I always did it and I also charged a small fee for doing it. Once a customer understands the importance they never quibble about $10. $10 for a 10 minute job is like $60 an hour! Everybody wins PLUS the diver doesn't miss out on dives. I sold it as an essential service for a small fee and I also sold it as something that made my store special. It worked - divers got great service, good gear, no hassle diving and we got dedicated customers and a reputation for excellence.
No Shark Darts allowed in RSA. Not sure if I'd want to irritate a Great White with one anyway.
Take care. Talk soon.
Alec
funny now I re-read that post and had first hand experience replacing those way too small/tight o-rings - they are so hard to put on new ones!! Shop guy made it look easier using pushing pin against a soft pad, but the other end really pokes you!
had a hard time finding the swivels (what size) so I went o-ring route. oh well...
Hi Alec, this is a great tip!
Are the swivel pins universal, or are they brand specific?
Most use a common sized spool and o-ring but this is scuba, so there are a few brands with specific spool sizes. Best to check with your LDS as this is a small cost so get it right.
A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter
Ok Alec, will do.
Thanks for the info!
Dave
Question, I know nothing about diving but would like to maybe play with hookah cause can SO, if I were to add a psi gauge at all like this do I have to use a swivel (cause that add another failure point) and do I have to use a special gauge at all, I won't be doing salt water
Hookah divers don't generally need a gauge as they are not monitoring a tank's pressure.
A
If I saw droplet or fog inside the housing of spg, is it appropriate to remove the glass of it and try to clear it?
Todays SPG's are factory sealed with no user maintenance. Opening it up would void the warranty so take it to your local dive shop to test its pressure accuracy and connection are working properly.
Alec
Alec, I've always been told by my scuba instructors to ensure the weights on our BCDs/Backplate System are ditchable...
But i don't see any situation where we need to ever dump our weights...
wouldn't we go into an uncontrolled ascent if we ditch our weights?
What are your thoughts?? :)
I'm mentioned before that in over 60 years of very active diving all over the world I have never dropped my weights - intentionally at least. It would have to be a very dire emergency before I'd do that.
Assuming there aren't too many things going wrong at once, you can usually find a solution to any problem underwater. And, as you say, dropping your weights removes a lot of options - like buoyancy control for one.
Most BCDs have at least 25 pounds of buoyancy, most more than that. Divers will say that that's not enough because they have on 25+ pounds of weights - not true!! You have enough weights to make yourself neutral at the surface. You may be carrying 25 pounds of weights but you are NOT 25 pounds negative. You don't need any air in the BCD to stay on the surface. Even at 60' you're still only 10 - 15 pounds negative. A BCD will easily make you positive and get you to the surface without dropping your weights and you still retain some control.
So I agree with you. It's a last option. I do think however that weights ought to be ditchable - most of them anyway.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Thank you for your reply!!
so a month ago my dive buddy ditched his weight belt AT THE SURFACE as he ran so low on air after the dive his BC would not inflate and he started panicking I guess - was quite rough and had a bit of current to get back to kayak. Guess he must have been too heavy (empty tank looses a good 7# for 100cf we use!) and didn't think to mouth inflate the BC or just panicked... so ditchable weight belt (cheaper than BC sleeves) was I suppose helpful here...
Is it OK to dip SPG's thread into ultrasonic cleaner after you remove it from the hose as long as you make sure it's upright and water is not flooded higher than its neck? And hang it in the air make sure it's dry before reassembling it.
Exactly. Hold it vertical in the cleaner; rinse it in clean water; blow it dry (don't blow water up the hose).
Then connect it to the reg WITHOUT the SPG on the end and let some tank air blow through it for a few seconds.
You're all set.
Alec
Thank you for your reply! But I want to make sure that you mean that I can hold a spg without hose verticle into cleaner, right? (I was not asking holding the hp hose into cleaner)
It's probably NOT a good idea to try to clean any part of the actual SPG, that is, the gauge.
Use a bit of CLR on the threads and brush well with a brass wire brush.
You can also push a Q-Tip into the hole to clean it and then to grease it.
That's it.
Alec
is the swivel really necessary? it looks like its not worth the hassle, just use rigid connection .
The early SPGs didn't have a swivel. Obviously they didn't fail - often.
But you have to turn the hose around to see the gauge. That can be an issue sometimes.
The very earliest SPGs, invented in the 60's by my friend Sam Lecocque, was called the Sea-Vue gauge and the gauge face was at a right angle to the hose, with no swivel. You held the hose in your hand and looked at the end of it. The hose came into the back of the gauge.
However, a nuisance or not, the swivel is handy and there's no way you can avoid it. The old style doesn't fit anymore.
Juts open and clean it once a year.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
please tell me what are the threads on spg hose, on both ends
All modern High Pressure hoses use 7/19 UNF threads. Read this good article from my friends at Simply Scuba. www.simplyscuba.com/blogs/blog/which-hose-do-i-need
Alec
What's the point in having the SPG on a swivel while it's covered by a boot? Doesn't the boot cancel the swivel? It seems to me the swivel is a point of failure that has no benefit. Without the boot, the swivel becomes useful again.
The boot is primarily to hold the SPG + compass which was a very common setup in the 80's and 90's. If the compass is on a wrist then the swivel works great.
A.
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I see, it's more about versatility. Giving you the ability to choose the set-up you want for your individual preferences.
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I have just seen a boot that can swivel. When I asked you this question, I was under the impression the boot was a solid one piece and prevented swivelling.
If I am to remove a dive computer from a boot, will soaking the whole boot in hot water harm the computer?
Not at all as long as it's not boiling water. Hot water from a tap will do fine to soften the plastic to make it easer to remove and replace.
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thank you, sir!
I go with a brass head because my SPG dives naked 😊
Well said.
a