Good Morning Alec & Kevin, These are problems i wish i had. Still recovering from surgery and have not been able to buy the gear. I know what brands and models however my 2nd attempt to get back into SCUBA still on hold. I still enjoy your tips and your vast experience in diving. Thank's for providing these episodes and please keep producing more episodes.
Yes. As I age, I find a healthy scepticism is a good thing. When someone says " I read that ....", I no longer jump on board like I used to. My body is running out of places to scar!! Alec
I would like say a big thanks to you. Am sending greeting from Poland where i watching you with my wife. You are doing great job, and show me much more things i ever seen or read from books. I wish you all the best. :))
Thanks for watching guys. Diving in Poland must be like Canada - lots of clear but cold lakes. I'm glad to hear from you and hope you're getting some good ideas. Alec
Hi Alec . That makes sense ,but the next question is, my brother in law's third cousin's best friend thinks that raising the IP might work ? BTW you mentioned about some old style regs were harder to breath, I remember taking the diaphragm lever out and filing down the tabs on the screw valve end to change the pivot point thus making it easier to breath (the valve just did not open as wide so slightly less flow) It worked quite well.owen m
I can't believe we've never met. I did the same years ago. Of course, we also built our own regulators, tanks and even surface supply from surplus parts. I found the same as you. You gain a bit and you lose a bit. Finding that sweet middle ground is the goal. Today we leave it up to the highly paid engineers and scientists. Take care Owen. Alec
Hi Alec We have met at S2k and the scuba swap 2 years ago. The problem with the engineers of today is they are book smart but not a lot of real world experience. Take care Owen m
Alec we call these type of divers "outlaws" which in Romanian is very plastic. With such divers we usually provide them our rental equipment and will not allow them near us in their setup because they can put the entire team in danger. And at 40 meter in pitch black 5 degree celsius water that is a big concern. If they insist we tell them straight that they will not dive with us ever again and that's it. Better soory than dead.
I think I get your drift and I agree. The rules that govern the science of scuba diving and the rules that ensure the safety of scuba divers are simple. Break them, or even modify them at your own risk. Don't involve others. Take care. Alec
Hi Alec I was wondering if you could clear something up. Several times while working on regs or other dive gear you mention different lubrications. Christo-lube, silicone grease to name a couple. Could you tell me more of when to use and which parts I should use which lubricants? I notice when putting hoses on you mention Christo-Lube or when you put the cover back on a second stage you mention silicone grease. You could also go into oxygen safe grease. Maybe this would make a good episode. Just a comment I have watched every one of your episodes. In the last couple weeks. You are becoming my Mike Nelson. Thank You. Scott
I have used doubles many times, in the standard set-up - 2 tanks in a single backpack and either yoked together or with separate regs on each. The main reason I used doubles was simple - I needed more air for the dive I was making. In some cases, I simply wanted to stay down for a long time. Other times I was doing something that suggested a redundant air supply was a good idea. Basically, I wanted or needed extra air. Other than that or other specific circumstances, I do not like doubles. They are heavy, expensive, and generally with good dive planning can be avoided safely. I will see if I can make a video about doubles but it's really a moot point Ron. You either need them or you don't. And if you don't need them, avoid them. Alec
when i learned to dive 20+ years ago. the instructor pounded into our head air quality ( dry air ) i have never had a reg freeze on me ( knocking n wood now ) i have owned my own compressor for 15+ years now and have the air tested at the beginning of every season. i do believe that a lot of freezing is due to moisture in the fill.
Well, if you listened carefully to my video, you realize that I agree 100%. In fact, ALL regulator freeze-ups are due to water in the air. Take care. Alec
I had my 20 year old Scubapro MK 20/G500 freeze at Humber Bay this past weekend at 8 degrees C water temp - my first time ever. Not only did I feel the freeflow into my mouth, I also felt air coming out behind my head where the first stage is (dive buddy even saw air releasing from my 1st stage). Aborted dive of course. Two days later I dove in Welland with 18 degrees C water temp and no problems. So guys on scubaboard are saying I should lower the IP but if this doesn't help like you claim, should I buy a new regulator before attempting to dive in waters below 10 degrees C again?
See my answer to your previous comment around cold water gear, preparation and free flow prevention. Don't change the IP, the manufacturer sets the value, but do see my tips on preventing a cold water free flow in S09E05. Also check out S08E05 Installing and anti-freeze kit which might give you better free flow protection below 10C. Do research cold water regs specifically what their lowest temperature rating is. Or just go farther south.
So I heard or read somewhere that increasing the intermediate pressure increases the likelihood of a free flow. Specially with some brands that have over balanced first stages. Any thoughts on that? Are all free flows the result of frozen parts?
If you increase the IP without simultaneously adjusting the 2nd stage, it will freeflow. It's supposed to. Any increase in the IP overrides the spring pressure holding the 2nd stage seat closed. Even if you adjust the 2nd to match the higher IP, the likelihood of a freeflow may increase somewhat. You also get harder breathing effort. It would take a bit longer to explain that. Maybe I'll do so in a video but, bottom line, contrary to popular belief, a higher IP does NOT mean easier breathing. A freeflow can be caused by several circumstances besides freezing of the first. An overactive or incorrectly set venturi is a common cause as is incorrect lever height, sticky friction pad and other things too. BTW, "overbalanced" is one of those terms thought up by a marketing guru - a word that means nothing to an engineer and may even, as in this case, be totally ridiculous. Overbalanced by definition means there's something wrong with it! I'm glad I've got you thinking Carlo. Take care. Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thanks about your thoughts. These are regulators specifically marketed for technical divers. Or both the first and second stage should dynamically adjust to ambient pressure when going deep. But it seems to me like a risk of a free flow at great depth. Even in warm water
Why is the IP different in different regulators? Is it just a factor/function of the overall engineering of the parts? Or is it a company/team, design/engineering philosophy? (In other words, do the designers think that one pressure or range is better that another for one reason or another?)
A good comparison to different IP's is why do cars have different tire pressures for the same tire? Each manufacturer sets the IP based on their 1st stage design. Does not matter if it's high or low, that is what it must be set to. Remember the IP is always above ambient pressure and breathing resistance is set at the 2nd stage (see S08E01, Set Breathing Resistance). Hope these will answer your question. Alec
the only way this can function is tom reduce the pressure from the tank to the ambiant pressure in more than 2 steps, say, from 3000 to 2000, from 2000 to 1000 then from 1000 to intermediate pressure,an have a heat supply ( from the water even it is close to freezing point ) it is the characteristic of an adiabatic process,id you take it on the other side for increasing the pressure, the air compressed heats to a point that it is the principe of self ignition of the fuel on a diesel engijne or the carbon monoxyde build up in a diving compressor that consumes oil. that also applies to a gasoline engine, a gas engine that has excessive wear and low compression is likely to fail starting in cold weather
There have been several 3 stage regulators made in the past. Nemrod had a 3 stage, 2 hose regulator. While it may seem to be beneficial, there's a point where the increased complexity reduces any benefit to zero. In the case of adiabatic temperature drop, if the overall pressure drop is from 3000 psi to ambient, it won't matter if it's done in 1 stage or 5. A fixed pressure drop causes a fixed temperature drop. You're just delaying the inevitable and in the meantime, you may not be getting air fast enough. Good thinking though Jacques. Alec
Good Morning Alec & Kevin, These are problems i wish i had. Still recovering from surgery and have not been able to buy the gear. I know what brands and models however my 2nd attempt to get back into SCUBA still on hold. I still enjoy your tips and your vast experience in diving. Thank's for providing these episodes and please keep producing more episodes.
Thanks for watching Mark.
Good luck. Keep in touch as you mend.
Alec
Outstanding!
Thanks for watching.
Alec
I like that look, that is the look you give after s sentence that starts with "I heard that" or "Some people say" or even "I believe" (sometimes).
Yes. As I age, I find a healthy scepticism is a good thing.
When someone says " I read that ....", I no longer jump on board like I used to. My body is running out of places to scar!!
Alec
I would like say a big thanks to you. Am sending greeting from Poland where i watching you with my wife. You are doing great job, and show me much more things i ever seen or read from books. I wish you all the best. :))
Thanks for watching guys.
Diving in Poland must be like Canada - lots of clear but cold lakes.
I'm glad to hear from you and hope you're getting some good ideas.
Alec
Hi Alec . That makes sense ,but the next question is, my brother in law's third cousin's best friend thinks that raising the IP might work ? BTW you mentioned about some old style regs were harder to breath, I remember taking the diaphragm lever out and filing down the tabs on the screw valve end to change the pivot point thus making it easier to breath (the valve just did not open as wide so slightly less flow) It worked quite well.owen m
I can't believe we've never met. I did the same years ago. Of course, we also built our own regulators, tanks and even surface supply from surplus parts.
I found the same as you. You gain a bit and you lose a bit. Finding that sweet middle ground is the goal. Today we leave it up to the highly paid engineers and scientists.
Take care Owen.
Alec
Hi Alec We have met at S2k and the scuba swap 2 years ago. The problem with the engineers of today is they are book smart but not a lot of real world experience. Take care Owen m
Alec we call these type of divers "outlaws" which in Romanian is very plastic. With such divers we usually provide them our rental equipment and will not allow them near us in their setup because they can put the entire team in danger. And at 40 meter in pitch black 5 degree celsius water that is a big concern. If they insist we tell them straight that they will not dive with us ever again and that's it. Better soory than dead.
I think I get your drift and I agree.
The rules that govern the science of scuba diving and the rules that ensure the safety of scuba divers are simple.
Break them, or even modify them at your own risk. Don't involve others.
Take care.
Alec
5C? toasty, that is fall temperatures here. Kelp everywhere, up top.
Hi Alec I was wondering if you could clear something up. Several times while working on regs or other dive gear you mention different lubrications. Christo-lube, silicone grease to name a couple. Could you tell me more of when to use and which parts I should use which lubricants? I notice when putting hoses on you mention Christo-Lube or when you put the cover back on a second stage you mention silicone grease. You could also go into oxygen safe grease. Maybe this would make a good episode. Just a comment I have watched every one of your episodes. In the last couple weeks. You are becoming my Mike Nelson. Thank You. Scott
Hi Alec! Would you bring your wisdom to bear on diving with doubles please? Include back vs. side-mount, pros and cons, if you don’t mind. Thanks!
I have used doubles many times, in the standard set-up - 2 tanks in a single backpack and either yoked together or with separate regs on each.
The main reason I used doubles was simple - I needed more air for the dive I was making. In some cases, I simply wanted to stay down for a long time. Other times I was doing something that suggested a redundant air supply was a good idea. Basically, I wanted or needed extra air.
Other than that or other specific circumstances, I do not like doubles. They are heavy, expensive, and generally with good dive planning can be avoided safely.
I will see if I can make a video about doubles but it's really a moot point Ron. You either need them or you don't. And if you don't need them, avoid them.
Alec
Thanks for the wisdom!
when i learned to dive 20+ years ago. the instructor pounded into our head air quality ( dry air ) i have never had a reg freeze on me ( knocking n wood now ) i have owned my own compressor for 15+ years now and have the air tested at the beginning of every season. i do believe that a lot of freezing is due to moisture in the fill.
Well, if you listened carefully to my video, you realize that I agree 100%.
In fact, ALL regulator freeze-ups are due to water in the air.
Take care.
Alec
It seems very likely.
I had my 20 year old Scubapro MK 20/G500 freeze at Humber Bay this past weekend at 8 degrees C water temp - my first time ever. Not only did I feel the freeflow into my mouth, I also felt air coming out behind my head where the first stage is (dive buddy even saw air releasing from my 1st stage). Aborted dive of course. Two days later I dove in Welland with 18 degrees C water temp and no problems. So guys on scubaboard are saying I should lower the IP but if this doesn't help like you claim, should I buy a new regulator before attempting to dive in waters below 10 degrees C again?
See my answer to your previous comment around cold water gear, preparation and free flow prevention. Don't change the IP, the manufacturer sets the value, but do see my tips on preventing a cold water free flow in S09E05. Also check out S08E05 Installing and anti-freeze kit which might give you better free flow protection below 10C. Do research cold water regs specifically what their lowest temperature rating is. Or just go farther south.
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thanks a bunch!
So I heard or read somewhere that increasing the intermediate pressure increases the likelihood of a free flow. Specially with some brands that have over balanced first stages. Any thoughts on that? Are all free flows the result of frozen parts?
If you increase the IP without simultaneously adjusting the 2nd stage, it will freeflow. It's supposed to. Any increase in the IP overrides the spring pressure holding the 2nd stage seat closed. Even if you adjust the 2nd to match the higher IP, the likelihood of a freeflow may increase somewhat. You also get harder breathing effort. It would take a bit longer to explain that. Maybe I'll do so in a video but, bottom line, contrary to popular belief, a higher IP does NOT mean easier breathing.
A freeflow can be caused by several circumstances besides freezing of the first. An overactive or incorrectly set venturi is a common cause as is incorrect lever height, sticky friction pad and other things too.
BTW, "overbalanced" is one of those terms thought up by a marketing guru - a word that means nothing to an engineer and may even, as in this case, be totally ridiculous. Overbalanced by definition means there's something wrong with it!
I'm glad I've got you thinking Carlo.
Take care.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thanks about your thoughts. These are regulators specifically marketed for technical divers. Or both the first and second stage should dynamically adjust to ambient pressure when going deep. But it seems to me like a risk of a free flow at great depth. Even in warm water
Why is the IP different in different regulators? Is it just a factor/function of the overall engineering of the parts?
Or is it a company/team, design/engineering philosophy? (In other words, do the designers think that one pressure or range is better that another for one reason or another?)
A good comparison to different IP's is why do cars have different tire pressures for the same tire? Each manufacturer sets the IP based on their 1st stage design. Does not matter if it's high or low, that is what it must be set to. Remember the IP is always above ambient pressure and breathing resistance is set at the 2nd stage (see S08E01, Set Breathing Resistance). Hope these will answer your question.
Alec
the only way this can function is tom reduce the pressure from the tank to the ambiant pressure in more than 2 steps, say, from 3000 to 2000, from 2000 to 1000 then from 1000 to intermediate pressure,an have a heat supply ( from the water even it is close to freezing point ) it is the characteristic of an adiabatic process,id you take it on the other side for increasing the pressure, the air compressed heats to a point that it is the principe of self ignition of the fuel on a diesel engijne or the carbon monoxyde build up in a diving compressor that consumes oil. that also applies to a gasoline engine, a gas engine that has excessive wear and low compression is likely to fail starting in cold weather
There have been several 3 stage regulators made in the past. Nemrod had a 3 stage, 2 hose regulator.
While it may seem to be beneficial, there's a point where the increased complexity reduces any benefit to zero. In the case of adiabatic temperature drop, if the overall pressure drop is from 3000 psi to ambient, it won't matter if it's done in 1 stage or 5. A fixed pressure drop causes a fixed temperature drop. You're just delaying the inevitable and in the meantime, you may not be getting air fast enough.
Good thinking though Jacques.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter basically, engineering is a compromize, it is the reason why the pressure drop is limited to one or two stages
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Would around the first stage insulation help at all? It seems problematic.