Learning about fixing problems

[KiwiMagic]

I often read with fascination about the weird and wonderful things people are doing with their equipment. It suddenly dawned on me that I know sweet F-all about fixing any minor problems that might spoil a dive trip - especially if I was on the middle of no-where. I'm not talking about replacing the battery or cells, but other things that might go wrong.

I know that the MOD1 course is meant to cover basics, but we literally just covered the battery replacement and cells. Is there anyone out there that does a basic course on this? APD doesn't.

I know that most of you can probably strip you kit down and turn it into a porsche, but when it comes to practicalities of equipment, I am from another planet.

Can anyone offer advice?

Kiwi

[Juz]

TBH there are two aspects here:

1. What would I do if I time is not an issue
2. What would I do if I were on a dive boat

For no. 2 I'd carry a selection of spares, but in all honesty, if something is seriously wrong, you're not going to fix it on a rolling boat, before you miss slack. You're not goping to do every dive you sign on for, you just have to accept that.

For No. 1, I have built up a set of spares over time and in all honesty, just had a play with a few items to see how they work.

I'd be comfortable with stripping an Apex first or 2nd stage, happy to strip down an inflator, never serviced a solenoid, but I think it would be pretty simple.

So, I'm not being much help, other than, when faced with a problem, I'll have a go, that's how I've learned what I have this far.

Juz

[KiwiMagic]

Come on ...... can anyone give me more advice????

[essexbloke]

Originally Posted by KiwiMagic

Come on ...... can anyone give me more advice????

my buddy gets me to do everything so he doesn't need to know
plus he is so usless i wouldnt trust him anyway?

[Marky Mark]

I think most of this kind of information just comes from experience, my buddy knows more about Kiss ADVs because he's had problems, I haven't. If you're not the sort who strips things down, just to see how they work, then it'll be difficult. The beauty of the Kiss unit is that you assemble it yourself and get to know it pretty well. Try Rebreather World.

Good luck MyM

[KiwiMagic]

Originally Posted by Marky Mark

I think most of this kind of information just comes from experience, my buddy knows more about Kiss ADVs because he's had problems, I haven't. If you're not the sort who strips things down, just to see how they work, then it'll be difficult. The beauty of the Kiss unit is that you assemble it yourself and get to know it pretty well. Try Rebreather World.

Good luck MyM

Greenie given

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by KiwiMagic

I often read with fascination about the weird and wonderful things people are doing with their equipment. It suddenly dawned on me that I know sweet F-all about fixing any minor problems that might spoil a dive trip - especially if I was on the middle of no-where. I'm not talking about replacing the battery or cells, but other things that might go wrong.

I know that the MOD1 course is meant to cover basics, but we literally just covered the battery replacement and cells. Is there anyone out there that does a basic course on this? APD doesn't.

I know that most of you can probably strip you kit down and turn it into a porsche, but when it comes to practicalities of equipment, I am from another planet.

Can anyone offer advice?

Kiwi

Yes

Don't worry about it in terms of what can I fix? Worry about it in terms of whats serious and whats not?


On an away trip (or at home for that matter) there is only so much you can plan for.

1: a lot of problems are due to corrosion on the molex connectors cell pins or wires. SOOOO A: clean all of these things with Biox before you go and take some biox with you to clean things on site.


2: Broken wires can cause problems on Molex connectors. A: switch to coax or take a pair of snipe nosed pliers and a set of watch makers screwdrivers with you to allow re crimping of the silly little connections.


3: Broken plastic bits? A: Areldite

4: Broken rubber bits? A: Black Witch

5: Broken hand sets A: a spare head (sorry thats all there is)


Any thing else (batteries and cells aside) is game over.

ATB

Mark

[Odin]

Service your unit at home, change all the O rings, all the ones in the hoses; do a service on the mouthpiece, Dil and O2 inflation buttons.
The BS-AC MOD11 course included all this.

When you have done it a couple of times you should be more confident in repairing the common faults in the unit.

Paul

[ozone1]

Originally Posted by KiwiMagic

I know that most of you can probably strip you kit down and turn it into a porsche, but when it comes to practicalities of equipment, I am from another planet.

Can anyone offer advice?

Kiwi

I think it comes down to confidence.
I would attempt to repair anything (I'm a cheapskate ).
If you are not affraid of stripping somthing down then
all you need is a plastic box of spares and things and
you will find the opportunity to try out your skill.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a look at
how your kit is held together with it on your kitchen
table. You would then have an understanding of what
you would be looking at.

Is there a dive shop close to you who would
let you help out in the back for a few days so you could
watch the services and repairs as they do them.

It depnds on you.
If you are the kind of person who pulls the back of everything
to see how they work then you will probabaly be confident
to undertake repairs but if you are the type that has to pay
someone to fit a book shelf or build your flat pack fileing
cabinate then maybe you won't have the confidence to
do a repair.

Cheers ozone.

[KiwiMagic]

Hmmmmm ..... sounds like there is no easy solutions. Thanks for the advice. I think it is definitely learn through experience.

Appreciate the advice folks.

DJ