ADV service

plazma

The ADV started leaking a lot in the middle of a dive. Fortunately it was the last dive in a week long trip to Lofots Norway. I decided to service the ADV by my self. Here's the story:

I got the service manual by email from Nicky at APD.

The retaining ring was easy to loose with a rubber mat (i got one that is used for jammed jars). The locking ring was more difficult. The manual suggested a special tool for it that cost almost 30e. I tried circlip pliers and it did the job. I used the pliers for one hole only. The pliers were not wide enough for two holes.

I disassembled more following the manual. The next hard part was the tilt boss. It was deep in the adv body and the tilt axle was in the way. I got it loose using a wide srewdriver.

Investigating the parts revealed the reason for the leak. The o-ring that works as a poppet had a scratch. There was also some oxidation on the tilt axle. The damage was very small and required a magnifying glass to see it.

I took all the o-rings with me and went to a o-ring store.
Here are the sizes I bought:
3 BS012 ORING 9,25*1,78
5 BS014 ORING 12,42*1,78
12 BS006 ORING 2,9*1,78 this should be shore 90
13 BS010 ORING 6,07*1,78

Material is nitrile and hardnes shore 70 except shore 90 for the poppet o-ring.
Once I was in the store I also bought size 7,65*1,78. It fits inside the BC connector. I had that size missing from my service box.

I washed all the metal parts in an ultrasonic cleaner. All parts that had oxidation got a vinegar bath in the ultrasonic cleaner.

I got problems during assembly. The tilt boss was not going into the threads with a regular srewdriver. I could not get even pressure on both sides. The tilt axle was in the way.

APD got a tool for this. It costs over 20e. I was going diving to Norway in two days so I had no time for ordering one.

I had to buy some stuff from a local electronic component store. There I found this: F Connector Tool
It looked alot like the APD tool. It had a hole in it and the diameter was just right (10mm).

I bought the tool and went to a workshop. I drilled the center hole deeper and cut the threaded part away. Next some grinding with an emery. Less than 5 minutes and the tool was ready. Here is the result: DIY Rebreather Tool 9

The tilt boss was very easy to screw with the new tool. Now it got a place in my service box.

I assembled the rest of the parts and tested the ADV. The leak was gone. I got a fully functioning breather with me to Norway
Here's some pictures from the trip: Litjåga & Plura 2007

-Pasi

Tino de Rijk

Very nice pictures, exceptional clear water.
However, I only see OC gear in use... :-) Did you decide to skip your 'breather after all...?

ciao,

Tino.

plazma

Well.... I was behind the camera.
Here's my friends pictures and you can see me diving the breather and taking pictures
Litjåga & Plura 2007

I did dive three dives with 2x12 because the Litjåga cave was quite tight.

-Pasi

Tino de Rijk

O.K., we believe you now .
amazingly clear water (and: very good shots)!

ciao,

tino.

Fun Under Pressure

Many thanks for sharing with RBW Members.

Cheers Markku