Bubbling Golem BOV

pieater · 26th June 2009, 21:20

So, there I was on a dive today and as I started to descend I can hear definite bubbling. I can feel bubbles running up over my chin and lips.

I pause at 6M and try to work out where it's coming from. I decide to feel for it and take off a glove. Feeling round the BOV reveals that there are a stream of small bubbles coming out of the exhaust on the BOV. I decide to test the theory and turn the gas off and purge. Sure enough the bubbles stopped.

It definitely bubbled when the gas was on (whether I was breathing OC or not)

I do the rest of the dive, thankful of my backup plan of extra second stages on the bailout.

A strip down afterwards doesn't show any issues with the diaphragm and the BOV breathed dry in CC and OC (just bubbling a bit on OC).

At one point it seemed that the bubbling only happened between breaths (whether OC or CC).

Does anybody have any suggestions as to what's causing this? Any help appreciated.

jkaterenchuk · 26th June 2009, 21:21

Time to rebuild it?

John

systematic.entropy · 26th June 2009, 21:24

Check the o-ring on the LP hose running to the BOV, I had mine go on me a few weeks ago, with similar symptoms. It's easy to overlook, and, at least with me, I connect and disconnect that fitting alot. So, it sees a lot of abuse.

Dive!Dive! · 26th June 2009, 21:58

The apeks internals are quite sensitive in this configuration. I had a few dives where my entire deco was punctuated with a plop-plop-plop from the bov.
Take off the hose and tune it down just a fraction (either with a proper tool or a screwdriver of the right size) - a 10 degree turn makes a big difference so take it easy. Check it as soon as you are in the water on the next dive before relying on it.
Steve

***jradomski*** · 26th June 2009, 23:39

Quote: (Originally Posted by pieater)

So, there I was on a dive today and as I started to descend I can hear definite bubbling. I can feel bubbles running up over my chin and lips.

I pause at 6M and try to work out where it's coming from. I decide to feel for it and take off a glove. Feeling round the BOV reveals that there are a stream of small bubbles coming out of the exhaust on the BOV. I decide to test the theory and turn the gas off and purge. Sure enough the bubbles stopped.

It definitely bubbled when the gas was on (whether I was breathing OC or not)

I do the rest of the dive, thankful of my backup plan of extra second stages on the bailout.

A strip down afterwards doesn't show any issues with the diaphragm and the BOV breathed dry in CC and OC (just bubbling a bit on OC).

At one point it seemed that the bubbling only happened between breaths (whether OC or CC).

Does anybody have any suggestions as to what's causing this? Any help appreciated.

also check that the ip on the reg feeding the bov is stable. plug off the bov hose and make sure the ip is not creeping.. the BOV second stage will act as a pressure release and allow the ip to stop creeping.. bubbling between breaths usuakky indicates a frst stage issue..

ken chung ar · 27th June 2009, 04:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

the BOV second stage will act as a pressure release and allow the ip to stop creeping.. bubbling between breaths usuakky indicates a frst stage issue..

Hi Joe,

Let me ask if the first stage of the rEvo regulator does not have an over-pressure relief valve attached to it. The Evo first-stage reg has one, and if there is one, exceedingly high IP results in leaky bubbles from the valve, not from the second stage.

Am I missing anything?

ken chung ar
Inhabitant of the City of the Garden for Sharing Pleasure with Every Man and Woman, JAPAN

***jradomski*** · 27th June 2009, 05:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by ken chung ar)

Hi Joe,

Let me ask if the first stage of the rEvo regulator does not have an over-pressure relief valve attached to it. The Evo first-stage reg has one, and if there is one, exceedingly high IP results in leaky bubbles from the valve, not from the second stage.

Am I missing anything?

ken chung ar
Inhabitant of the City of the Garden for Sharing Pleasure with Every Man and Woman, JAPAN

nope.. if there is IP creep on the dil side on a rEvo it will leak through the adv which is basically the guts of a second stage.. I always add OPVs to my rebreather 1st stages so that I can control where the OP release goes..

teddy2005 · 27th June 2009, 10:54

Quote: (Originally Posted by pieater)

So, there I was on a dive today and as I started to descend I can hear definite bubbling. I can feel bubbles running up over my chin and lips.

I pause at 6M and try to work out where it's coming from. I decide to feel for it and take off a glove. Feeling round the BOV reveals that there are a stream of small bubbles coming out of the exhaust on the BOV. I decide to test the theory and turn the gas off and purge. Sure enough the bubbles stopped.

It definitely bubbled when the gas was on (whether I was breathing OC or not)

I do the rest of the dive, thankful of my backup plan of extra second stages on the bailout.

A strip down afterwards doesn't show any issues with the diaphragm and the BOV breathed dry in CC and OC (just bubbling a bit on OC).

At one point it seemed that the bubbling only happened between breaths (whether OC or CC).

Does anybody have any suggestions as to what's causing this? Any help appreciated.

I have (had) the same issue on my BOV (not a golem, but also an apeks 2nd stage built in). Can confirm Dive!Dive!'s opinion. First see if there is any difference when using another 1st stage (some give a little to much LP than necessary) or tighten the 2nd (mine did not bubble when fully scrolled to harden the inspiration).

An OPV on the first stage is not necessary here as it begins to release when LP comes to 18-20b... the 2nd stage will bubble before and give the necessary release. OPV are only usefull on 1st stage were no 2nd is attached (argon, or oxy as CMF will not bleed sufficiently, or dil if no ADV).

pieater · 27th June 2009, 11:41

Thanks all,

It seems IP checking and a bit of tuning are in order.

I'll report the results.

pieater · 27th June 2009, 11:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dive!Dive!)

Take off the hose and tune it down just a fraction (either with a proper tool or a screwdriver of the right size) - a 10 degree turn makes a big difference so take it easy. Check it as soon as you are in the water on the next dive before relying on it.
Steve

Which way do I wind? I'm presuming anti-clockwise - but you never know...

26th June 2009, 21:20	#1 (permalink)
pieater Grand Beede' Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 166	Bubbling Golem BOV So, there I was on a dive today and as I started to descend I can hear definite bubbling. I can feel bubbles running up over my chin and lips. I pause at 6M and try to work out where it's coming from. I decide to feel for it and take off a glove. Feeling round the BOV reveals that there are a stream of small bubbles coming out of the exhaust on the BOV. I decide to test the theory and turn the gas off and purge. Sure enough the bubbles stopped. It definitely bubbled when the gas was on (whether I was breathing OC or not) I do the rest of the dive, thankful of my backup plan of extra second stages on the bailout. A strip down afterwards doesn't show any issues with the diaphragm and the BOV breathed dry in CC and OC (just bubbling a bit on OC). At one point it seemed that the bubbling only happened between breaths (whether OC or CC). Does anybody have any suggestions as to what's causing this? Any help appreciated.
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26th June 2009, 21:21	#2 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk RebreatherWorld Sponsor HammerMeg Kiss Classic, Inspiration Join Date: May 2006 Location: PA Posts: 2,625	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV Time to rebuild it? John
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26th June 2009, 21:24	#3 (permalink)
systematic.entropy RBW Member Megalodon Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 70	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV Check the o-ring on the LP hose running to the BOV, I had mine go on me a few weeks ago, with similar symptoms. It's easy to overlook, and, at least with me, I connect and disconnect that fitting alot. So, it sees a lot of abuse.
(Offline)

26th June 2009, 21:58	#4 (permalink)
Dive!Dive! RBW Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Somerset, UK Posts: 147	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV The apeks internals are quite sensitive in this configuration. I had a few dives where my entire deco was punctuated with a plop-plop-plop from the bov. Take off the hose and tune it down just a fraction (either with a proper tool or a screwdriver of the right size) - a 10 degree turn makes a big difference so take it easy. Check it as soon as you are in the water on the next dive before relying on it. Steve
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26th June 2009, 23:39	#5 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Hammehead & rEvo & Custom KISS,Optima,Inspiration,Meg Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 4,015	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV Quote: (Originally Posted by pieater) So, there I was on a dive today and as I started to descend I can hear definite bubbling. I can feel bubbles running up over my chin and lips. I pause at 6M and try to work out where it's coming from. I decide to feel for it and take off a glove. Feeling round the BOV reveals that there are a stream of small bubbles coming out of the exhaust on the BOV. I decide to test the theory and turn the gas off and purge. Sure enough the bubbles stopped. It definitely bubbled when the gas was on (whether I was breathing OC or not) I do the rest of the dive, thankful of my backup plan of extra second stages on the bailout. A strip down afterwards doesn't show any issues with the diaphragm and the BOV breathed dry in CC and OC (just bubbling a bit on OC). At one point it seemed that the bubbling only happened between breaths (whether OC or CC). Does anybody have any suggestions as to what's causing this? Any help appreciated. also check that the ip on the reg feeding the bov is stable. plug off the bov hose and make sure the ip is not creeping.. the BOV second stage will act as a pressure release and allow the ip to stop creeping.. bubbling between breaths usuakky indicates a frst stage issue.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
(Online)

27th June 2009, 04:36	#6 (permalink)
ken chung ar Divemaster Join Date: May 2005 Location: Inhabitant of the City of the Garden for Sharing Pleasure with Every Man and Woman, JAPAN Posts: 80	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) the BOV second stage will act as a pressure release and allow the ip to stop creeping.. bubbling between breaths usuakky indicates a frst stage issue.. Hi Joe, Let me ask if the first stage of the rEvo regulator does not have an over-pressure relief valve attached to it. The Evo first-stage reg has one, and if there is one, exceedingly high IP results in leaky bubbles from the valve, not from the second stage. Am I missing anything? ken chung ar Inhabitant of the City of the Garden for Sharing Pleasure with Every Man and Woman, JAPAN
(Offline)

27th June 2009, 05:18	#7 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Hammehead & rEvo & Custom KISS,Optima,Inspiration,Meg Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 4,015	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV Quote: (Originally Posted by ken chung ar) Hi Joe, Let me ask if the first stage of the rEvo regulator does not have an over-pressure relief valve attached to it. The Evo first-stage reg has one, and if there is one, exceedingly high IP results in leaky bubbles from the valve, not from the second stage. Am I missing anything? ken chung ar Inhabitant of the City of the Garden for Sharing Pleasure with Every Man and Woman, JAPAN nope.. if there is IP creep on the dil side on a rEvo it will leak through the adv which is basically the guts of a second stage.. I always add OPVs to my rebreather 1st stages so that I can control where the OP release goes.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
(Online)

27th June 2009, 10:54	#8 (permalink)
teddy2005 Urs or Nounours rEvo III mccr coming MKVI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Switzerland Posts: 204	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV Quote: (Originally Posted by pieater) So, there I was on a dive today and as I started to descend I can hear definite bubbling. I can feel bubbles running up over my chin and lips. I pause at 6M and try to work out where it's coming from. I decide to feel for it and take off a glove. Feeling round the BOV reveals that there are a stream of small bubbles coming out of the exhaust on the BOV. I decide to test the theory and turn the gas off and purge. Sure enough the bubbles stopped. It definitely bubbled when the gas was on (whether I was breathing OC or not) I do the rest of the dive, thankful of my backup plan of extra second stages on the bailout. A strip down afterwards doesn't show any issues with the diaphragm and the BOV breathed dry in CC and OC (just bubbling a bit on OC). At one point it seemed that the bubbling only happened between breaths (whether OC or CC). Does anybody have any suggestions as to what's causing this? Any help appreciated. I have (had) the same issue on my BOV (not a golem, but also an apeks 2nd stage built in). Can confirm Dive!Dive!'s opinion. First see if there is any difference when using another 1st stage (some give a little to much LP than necessary) or tighten the 2nd (mine did not bubble when fully scrolled to harden the inspiration). An OPV on the first stage is not necessary here as it begins to release when LP comes to 18-20b... the 2nd stage will bubble before and give the necessary release. OPV are only usefull on 1st stage were no 2nd is attached (argon, or oxy as CMF will not bleed sufficiently, or dil if no ADV).
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27th June 2009, 11:41	#9 (permalink)
pieater Grand Beede' Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 166	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV Thanks all, It seems IP checking and a bit of tuning are in order. I'll report the results.
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27th June 2009, 11:45	#10 (permalink)
pieater Grand Beede' Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 166	Re: Bubbling Golem BOV Quote: (Originally Posted by Dive!Dive!) Take off the hose and tune it down just a fraction (either with a proper tool or a screwdriver of the right size) - a 10 degree turn makes a big difference so take it easy. Check it as soon as you are in the water on the next dive before relying on it. Steve Which way do I wind? I'm presuming anti-clockwise - but you never know...
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