Converting regs to be O2 clean

[David]

Originally Posted by Tubs

This is definatly not true, if ther reg was serviced in the past using silcone grease then it is a possable ignition point for the o2.
O2 clean means nothing inside the reg has flamable grease that could cause a o2 flash or fire. When o2 regs are cleaned only a o2 compatable grease is ever used (if done by a profesional and not someone in their shed)

but some professionals do it a shed too :-)
and some professionals are cheap skates too

its the I learnt this off the internet you need to worry about :-)

[sas steve]

I service regs every day and only ever use Christolube on reassembly, It's expensive for a tube but each reg gets a tiny amount used on it so it becomes insignificant cost wise.

If you want them done I'm in Poole working at forward Diving services (01202 677128) each day in the afternoons once I've finished at the Recompression chamber.

I'm reasonably experienced dealing with O2 compatible equipment

Steve

[chrisMc]

Apeks regs are 02 compatible, and the standard service kit is used regardless of 02 state.

As mentioned the main diffrence is the grease used, some shops use 02 compatble for all some dont.

At 50% it is debatable whether they need to be reserviced, and comes down to how you feel about it.

Personally I service my apeks regs once every 4 years or so, with a new kit, and use 02 compatible on o2 fittings, silicaon on everything else. This is partly because I'm a cheapskate and partly because I have 6 regs, 8 cylinders and if I followed all the rules it would cost me a fortune.

[eey_ore_9]

The three components for a problem to occur are as said in previous posts, oxygen,Grease,compression but they all have to be in the right proportion. Although I agree with both statements in my opinion If the cylinder and reg are filled with high pressure oxygen 100%, Lots of grease (Silicon) the problem may occur due to the high pressure and heat involved at the filling stage but this is a rare occurence! When you service a cylinder or reg the lube is only used to clean the item it is used on it should not be applied generously only a minute amount is required! So already you are taking away the ignition (or should be).!If you open the valve on your cylinder you get very cold air or o2 mix coming out to the point where it freezes.In this way it is highly unlikely to get a burn or explosion whilst diving but not impossible, is it? Is this one for the Brainiacs to solve?

[fatone]

Sorry eey_ore_9, but your way off the mark.........

"The three components for a problem to occur are as said in previous posts, oxygen,Grease,compression but they all have to be in the right proportion."

You mean the components are Oxygen, fuel and ignition !

"Although I agree with both statements in my opinion If the cylinder and reg are filled with high pressure oxygen 100%, Lots of grease (Silicon) the problem may occur due to the high pressure and heat involved at the filling stage but this is a rare occurence!"

Anyone mixing 200 bar of 100% O2 with silicone grease is asking for trouble !

"When you service a cylinder or reg the lube is only used to clean the item it is used on it should not be applied generously only a minute amount is required!"

Lube is for lubricating, not cleaning !
The rest of your statement is unfortunately missleading.

"So already you are taking away the ignition (or should be).!If you open the valve on your cylinder you get very cold air or o2 mix coming out to the point where it freezes.In this way it is highly unlikely to get a burn or explosion whilst diving but not impossible, is it? Is this one for the Brainiacs to solve?"

Yes, when you open a cylinder of gas to atmosphere it gets cold as it expands, but when connected to a first stage it produces adiabatic compression in the first stage. You are correct in that your unlikely to get a "burn" whilst diving, (and if you do the water will help put it out !)

[eey_ore_9]

Thats exactly what i said the problem would occur at the fill station if filling 100% O2 using normal silicone. Isnt oxygen oxygen,grease the fuel and the compression the ignition? Was the last time i went to college on a welding course..! You are right with the lube it is used for lubricating, so under pressure it will fly out of its seating and not do the job its supposed to do...!I suppose it really depends on your outlook, if i want two surfaces to stay contacted i would clean the surfaces to get a good clean contact some people may lube or oil it i know which i prefer!

[Dave1w]

So does anyone know what grease Apeks regs are assembled with from the factory? Silicon, or O2 Compatible?

I would maybe think a little about using an old standard reg on 50% nitrox, only because it could have been used on an oily fill at some point perhaps. I have a brand new DS4 I plan to use on my rebreather O2 cylinder once I get the time to change over the hoses etc.


Dave