Oxygen 1st stage

KevJ · 16th April 2007, 16:55

Can anyone make a suggestion of a good 1st stage reg for Oxygen duty.
There seem to be plenty of O2 compatible (40%) regs out there but I'm not keen to put 100% O2 through them.

Bill Pringle · 16th April 2007, 18:03

Hi Kev,

I would shy away from any Titanium versions and stick with types with Stainless components. Just about ant first stage may be converted to O2 service by first precleaning, getting rid of any residue Hydrocarbons.
Tear it down to parade rest, discard the o-ring seals, (Check sizes first for re-order of parts).
Cleaning should be done with with an alkali detergent or mild solvent/degreaser, utrasonic tanks to a really good job. follwed by a deionized water rinse, assuring a water break free surfaces. (E.g. clean parts).
Followed by a drying, time or oven bake at 100-150 degrees F.
Replace O-ring seals with Fluorocarbon (Viton) seals.
Relubricate using an O2 compatible lubricants (Sparingly).
O2 compatable lubs are;
Halocarbons, some trade names are Castrol Braycote 601EF, 803 or
Cristolube, or Krytox.
I would also convert your tank valve & neck seal and your HP pressure gauge as well.

OceanOpportunity · 16th April 2007, 18:22

Atomic Z-1 piston is good.

I also use Scubapro Mk2+..clean, replace all o-rings with viton where possible, etc

**Dave Sutton** · 16th April 2007, 21:04

Or the cheapest piece of shit Sherwood first stages, just like the Navy uses on the Mark-16 and previously on the Mark-15.....

Dave

KevJ · 17th April 2007, 09:28

Thanks Guys.
I'll look into these.

If it's purely a matter of Changing the seals to Viton and O2 cleaning then I might convert one of my existing regs.

Regards,

KevJ

**Dave Sutton** · 17th April 2007, 13:17

Quote: (Originally Posted by KevJ)

If it's purely a matter of Changing the seals to Viton and O2 cleaning then I might convert one of my existing regs.

Even the Viton is not really needed... HP regs handled 02 LONG before Viton was available. A good disassembly, scrub down with simple green and hot water, and re-assembly with Crystolube is all that really seems to be needed. If you can get Viton, so much the better. With that said, I have *never* used Viton, all of my first stages are just dirty old regulators that drag outta the junk box, and all seems the work fine. Actual fire-risk may vary....

The key is a Brass body. Just about every first stage is chhrome plated brass, so almost any work.

Dave

shil · 17th April 2007, 13:43

What about HP seats ?
Is any old regulator's HP seat oxygen duty ready ? if not what can it be replace with?

Shil

venturi · 17th April 2007, 14:10

it varies. Aqualung first's like Calypso had the same HP seat, air or EAN configuration. But HP seats where different between MK20 and MK20 Nitrox. So...

**Dave Sutton** · 17th April 2007, 14:33

OK according to "Military Specificaton" ? Probably not.

OK according to "It's worked fine for years" ? Probably.

Dave

KevJ · 17th April 2007, 15:39

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

OK according to "Military Specificaton" ? Probably not.

OK according to "It's worked fine for years" ? Probably.

Dave

Well - If you haven't blown yourself up with the devices you build, then it must be OK

Thanks. I wonder what the relevant T.O. says about that one.

16th April 2007, 16:55	#1 (permalink)
KevJ New Member Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ireland, blow-in, Not escaped yet Posts: 43	Oxygen 1st stage Can anyone make a suggestion of a good 1st stage reg for Oxygen duty. There seem to be plenty of O2 compatible (40%) regs out there but I'm not keen to put 100% O2 through them.
(Offline)

16th April 2007, 18:03	#2 (permalink)
Bill Pringle New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ventura Ca Posts: 15	Re: Oxygen 1st stage Hi Kev, I would shy away from any Titanium versions and stick with types with Stainless components. Just about ant first stage may be converted to O2 service by first precleaning, getting rid of any residue Hydrocarbons. Tear it down to parade rest, discard the o-ring seals, (Check sizes first for re-order of parts). Cleaning should be done with with an alkali detergent or mild solvent/degreaser, utrasonic tanks to a really good job. follwed by a deionized water rinse, assuring a water break free surfaces. (E.g. clean parts). Followed by a drying, time or oven bake at 100-150 degrees F. Replace O-ring seals with Fluorocarbon (Viton) seals. Relubricate using an O2 compatible lubricants (Sparingly). O2 compatable lubs are; Halocarbons, some trade names are Castrol Braycote 601EF, 803 or Cristolube, or Krytox. I would also convert your tank valve & neck seal and your HP pressure gauge as well.
(Offline)

16th April 2007, 18:22	#3 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 596	Re: Oxygen 1st stage Atomic Z-1 piston is good. I also use Scubapro Mk2+..clean, replace all o-rings with viton where possible, etc __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Elected Director, Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments MN'07, The Explorers Club Project Manager, Diving a Dream
(Offline)

16th April 2007, 21:04	#4 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: Oxygen 1st stage Or the cheapest piece of shit Sherwood first stages, just like the Navy uses on the Mark-16 and previously on the Mark-15..... Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
(Offline)

17th April 2007, 09:28	#5 (permalink)
KevJ New Member Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ireland, blow-in, Not escaped yet Posts: 43	Re: Oxygen 1st stage Thanks Guys. I'll look into these. If it's purely a matter of Changing the seals to Viton and O2 cleaning then I might convert one of my existing regs. Regards, KevJ
(Offline)

17th April 2007, 13:17	#6 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: Oxygen 1st stage Quote: (Originally Posted by KevJ) If it's purely a matter of Changing the seals to Viton and O2 cleaning then I might convert one of my existing regs. Even the Viton is not really needed... HP regs handled 02 LONG before Viton was available. A good disassembly, scrub down with simple green and hot water, and re-assembly with Crystolube is all that really seems to be needed. If you can get Viton, so much the better. With that said, I have never used Viton, all of my first stages are just dirty old regulators that drag outta the junk box, and all seems the work fine. Actual fire-risk may vary.... The key is a Brass body. Just about every first stage is chhrome plated brass, so almost any work. Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
(Offline)

17th April 2007, 13:43	#7 (permalink)
shil New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: India Posts: 30	Re: Oxygen 1st stage What about HP seats ? Is any old regulator's HP seat oxygen duty ready ? if not what can it be replace with? Shil
(Offline)

17th April 2007, 14:10	#8 (permalink)
venturi New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: france Posts: 27	Re: Oxygen 1st stage it varies. Aqualung first's like Calypso had the same HP seat, air or EAN configuration. But HP seats where different between MK20 and MK20 Nitrox. So...
(Offline)

17th April 2007, 14:33	#9 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: Oxygen 1st stage OK according to "Military Specificaton" ? Probably not. OK according to "It's worked fine for years" ? Probably. Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
(Offline)

17th April 2007, 15:39	#10 (permalink)
KevJ New Member Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ireland, blow-in, Not escaped yet Posts: 43	Re: Oxygen 1st stage Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) OK according to "Military Specificaton" ? Probably not. OK according to "It's worked fine for years" ? Probably. Dave Well - If you haven't blown yourself up with the devices you build, then it must be OK Thanks. I wonder what the relevant T.O. says about that one.
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode