Rebreather costs

[DAV]

I'm looking at going down the rebreather route and have most of the information I need regarding course and unit costs, but was wondering how much it costs to maintain a rebreather regarding services etc?

[Paul Evans]

Originally Posted by DAV

I'm looking at going down the rebreather route and have most of the information I need regarding course and unit costs, but was wondering how much it costs to maintain a rebreather regarding services etc?

02 grease, o rings, how many parts are user serviceable, How confident are you to do it.........?

Does the manufacturer offer a user service coarse?

Are you prepared to service your own reg's?

[Paul Evans]

By the way

HI Welcome to YD

[Skiverdiver]

Originally Posted by DAV

I'm looking at going down the rebreather route and have most of the information I need regarding course and unit costs, but was wondering how much it costs to maintain a rebreather regarding services etc?

Nuffink - once you have got all your own kit it is only air that costs you!...diving is a cheap sport!

[Dave R]

Depends on the unit. KISS units are all user-maintained for instance.

You need to factor in:
Spares box £500
Cells per year £150
Batteries per year £50

You will also find you 'need' little extras like compressors, boosters and filling whips etc.

BUT you then become fairly independent of dive shops and this opens up expeditions where OC isn't possible.

[Skiverdiver]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Depends on the unit. KISS units are all user-maintained for instance.

You need to factor in:
Spares box £500
Cells per year £150
Batteries per year £50

You will also find you 'need' little extras like compressors, boosters and filling whips etc.

BUT you then become fairly independent of dive shops and this opens up expeditions where OC isn't possible.

Oh yeah - forgot to mention that little lot! ...but once you have that it is a very cheap sport!

[David Pye]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Depends on the unit. KISS units are all user-maintained for instance.

You need to factor in:
Spares box £500
Cells per year £150
Batteries per year £50

You will also find you 'need' little extras like compressors, boosters and filling whips etc.

BUT you then become fairly independent of dive shops and this opens up expeditions where OC isn't possible.

Just to tag in on this, having just bought a kiss..

What about paragon reg servicing? I'm reasonably happy (or will be) about fiddling with the rest of the kit, but not really that experienced with dealing with regs, so do people generally service the Paragon themselves, or get someone else to do it?

And, what do you keep in the spares box for £500? I was expecting a spare cell and maybe a spare display and a set of O-rings

(Sorry for the hijack!)

[TAZA]

You can afford it,
£12 for a twin set 32% fill. its the only way forward.
You know you want too.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by David Pye

Just to tag in on this, having just bought a kiss..

What about paragon reg servicing? I'm reasonably happy (or will be) about fiddling with the rest of the kit, but not really that experienced with dealing with regs, so do people generally service the Paragon themselves, or get someone else to do it?

And, what do you keep in the spares box for £500? I was expecting a spare cell and maybe a spare display and a set of O-rings

(Sorry for the hijack!)

New Kisses come with a Mares second stage. Not many people like the paragon and so change it. Jetsam will sell you the bits though.

My spares box is huge. I have a spare hose, counterlung, brass nut, display, o-rings, cell, etc. etc. etc.

But I rarely use the spares, other than changing the o-rings every year ($20). The big costs are four new cells (3+ a spare) = £220. Lime (about £8 for 3 hours dive time). Batteries (£15 every 30 hours dive time). O2 (£5 every couple of days of diving). Insurance (£30)

It all is dwarfed by the cost of petrol driving to divesites for me.

Janos

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by David Pye

What about paragon reg servicing? I'm reasonably happy (or will be) about fiddling with the rest of the kit, but not really that experienced with dealing with regs, so do people generally service the Paragon themselves, or get someone else to do it?

And, what do you keep in the spares box for £500? I was expecting a spare cell and maybe a spare display and a set of O-rings

Spares - I have a spare lung, hose ( inc adapters ) plus a display assembly ( 3 displays ), O rings, diaphragms etc. Have a look at the current KISS parts list: Jetsam
Although a complete display might seem excessive, it has saved many a dive whilst my main display was sent back for repair ( under warranty ) Don't forget to add import duty and VAT to the KISS price list Although Jetsam generally ship parts across within 3 days, it is usually too late to save a trip, so you will need to carry a few parts.

Servicing - Reg servicing is very straight forward. Get a copy of Vance Harlows book - Regulator servicing & the Oxygen Hackers handbook AirspeedPress
There is also copies of the APEKs workshop manual available. www.frogkick.dk - /manuals/apeks/

Parts are available direct from Jetsam. Dive shops in the UK are trying disparately to stop people servicing their own regs by blocking the purchase of the servicing kits. ( It is a cash cow for them ) However this practice is illegal in europe and you can simply buy the APEKS parts from Germany etc.

Reg servicing is no more difficult than assembling your CK.