My first set of gear

[berticus]

OK, I'm now the proud owner of my first set of diving gear (well most of a set anyway).

I went up to Divers Warehouse yesterday and grabbed a set of ex-hire Apeks ATX40 regs with octopus and twin console, a BC, mask fins and snorkel. All I need now is some weights and a drysuit.

Anyhow, I got a hose with the BC but it needs connecting to the 1st stage. Is this a job I can do myself or should I pay LDS to do it for me? Likewise for the drysuit hose too.

Of course I still need to try out the new stuff, so I might do a pool session to check that I don't drown

[Pez]

Berticus, Welcome to the slippery slope of kit aquisition and you 1st buys.

As long as you can turn an allen key and a spanner, fitting the hoses is simple. Remove one of the LP blanks and store safely, use a camera film pot or similar, and insert the hose thread into the port. Ensure it is not cross threaded and use light pressure to hand tighten. Once you are satisfied it is tight, apply a bit more torque with the spannner and job done. A leak test should prove the job is done. A pool session is always advisale to check for leaks and get used to your new shiny toys

enjoy.

[David]

Originally Posted by berticus

Anyhow, I got a hose with the BC but it needs connecting to the 1st stage. Is this a job I can do myself or should I pay LDS to do it for me? Likewise for the drysuit hose too.

I am one of the few that dont know the ports on Apex 1st stage. but it is not hard to do.all you need to do is work out which ports are high pressure and which are low pressure. The high pressure ports are at the same pressure
as the cylinder, so you can connect gauges. oftern marked with "HP".
The others are low pressure and you can swap them around to get hoses to
in the best way to suit your type of diving.

tip get spanners that fit dont try with molegrips they just ruin the nuts.

someone will along to tell which port is which ;-)

David

[Scubanut]

As Pez put on his lil bit.....to the slippery slope. Hope you have an understanding bank manager, or have won the lottery!!!

Also agree with Pez on this too, but dod take your time and use the right size spanner/allen key, after all it is this stuff that keeps you alive whilst enjoying the underwater life.

Have fun, safe diving.

Gary
aka Scubanut

[Hickdive]

The HP plugs are a larger diameter and, if you look inside the first stage, a tiny pin hole for the air to flow through.

The LP plugs are smaller and, if you look inside, there's just a hole leading into the dark interior of the first stage.

Don't worry, because the ports have different diameters you can't go putting lp hoses on a hp outlet.

The slight wrinkle in this is that some Apeks have a larger diameter lp port for the primary second stage. But that port will be adjacent to other LP ports and won't have a pin hole for air supply in the bottom.

[andy2tanx]

Of course, all you had to do was ak me and I'd have done it for you there and then. Yes, I was the one in the YD shirt!

[Mark Davies]

Originally Posted by andy2tanx

Yes, I was the one in the YD shirt!

No doubt earning money between night shifts having had a good sleep at work!

[berticus]

Originally Posted by andy2tanx

Of course, all you had to do was ak me and I'd have done it for you there and then. Yes, I was the one in the YD shirt!

I can't believe I didn't notice you with a YD shirt - I was looking out for anyone wearing one!

I never thought about connecting the hose until I got home, then I thought of loads of questions (typical of me). The shop was so busy I was just glad to pick up a bargain

In hindsight I should have asked about connecting the hose, bought a dry suit hose (although I'm told some suits use different hoses - more to learn there), and asked when the regs were last serviced.

Thanks everyone for the advice on hose connections. I just need to buy a spanner now

PS; Pez - green heading your way

[RichClark]

Out of curiosity, how much did you pay for your 2nd hand TX40's

Cheers

Rich

[berticus]

£175 for DST 1st stage, main ATX40 reg, ATX40 octo and twin console.

Although if I have to pay £30 for a service that would push the total cost up to £205, which is about £90 less than buying new.

There weren't many left when I left the shop, so I doubt if they have any at all now. I got there about 15 mins after they opened and the shop was packed.

I thought of going back in to buy a drysuit but SWMBO would have hung me by the short and curlies