How often has your Inspo been serviced?

AD_ward9 · 12th October 2006, 09:47

Very important reason for asking this.

After we have 50 people vote, I will post the reason.

Edit: By "APD" I mean Ambient Pressure Diving in Cornwall, or any of their authorised service technicians, such as their US distributor.

If you had it serviced in the last 3 years by APD, please could you post here the reason you did so. Was it to fix a breakage or for another reason?

Alex

divetheworld · 12th October 2006, 10:09

Alex,

I had mine serviced just a short while ago, but it was the first time in four years. Normally AP wouldnt get their sticky paws on it unless it had a problem that only they could fix. This time sent it in because I am a lazy get and wanted then to sort out the black crap on the connectors and rubber stamp its condition.

Here’s the background;
My old girl is a classic of the 2002 (ish) pedigree and when I bought it, I was told it had never been in to AP for a service. There again, it had never missed a beat so never needed to….. according to the previous owner. just under two years later in my care and the story is not much different. 150 dives without the electrickery missing a beat and I formed a soft spot for those controllers.
So this is where the story starts.
Some months ago the back lighting started to fail, slowly at first and only on one handset. Not entirely a shock to me and completely unconcerned except for the potential loss in resale value should I ever decide to dispose of it.
One fantastic day on the Farnes and a flawless 137 mins of bottom time later I got back in the RIB and went home. At home I washed it off as I do every week in the workshop and decided it was time to replace a cell (date related only). Changed one out and fired up the controllers. Only one of them didn’t fire up. Bollox!
I stripped it out and re-terminated the power supply, pulled out the controllers from the housings and tested the microswitches. All good, working fine but the molex connectors were a bit black and I decided to bite the bullet and send it in to AP for a quick service.
Tony got hold of it at AP and confirmed the repair work was good and a service would be fine with the addition of a new solenoid as the old one was no longer suitable for oxygen service due to degradation. Two days later, a call to Tony revealed that I had two cracked handsets. I was surprised for sure but it was explained that the handset housings are pressure tested and the flaws were very small indeed.
a day or two later I got an email from Zoe explaining that;

“Tony has now completed the service on your lid. Unfortunately, during the final test the comps went Master / Master, but we had a compatible handset, so only 1 new module was needed to get everything in working order.”

Having never had any electronics failures to date, I must assume that the testing AP carry out would highlight any potential weaknesses. I should have asked for a brief resume of the tests that were carried out in the hope that we can benefit in safety from that knowledge. It's likely that we wouldnt learn anything new though. Make you own minds up about it.
The head did come back with some welcome revisions, such as a new battery box with different termination's, a rubber gasketed battery cover and such like.

The bill was painful though.

Johnny Christensen · 12th October 2006, 10:50

I had my entire electronics replaced 2 years ago. At that time it had the original eletronics with the old battery case that could do the bounce. Unit is from december 2001.
Cracked handsets caused flooding and I elected to have it completly rebuild with the new controllers.
3 months ago, cracked handsets and flooding again. This time I only had them replace the parts that was damaged, so new microswitches, casings etc.

I keep the rest of the unit in good service condition myself. Only the electronics are send away to APD.

Had the handsets not cracked and flooded, I think it would be at least 4-5 years between I would have send it in for service. Providing it did not exibit any faults of course.
Changing out cells every 12 months, and I don't care about the extra costs it induces.

ding · 12th October 2006, 11:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by divetheworld)

Alex,

I had mine serviced just a short while ago, but it was the first time in four years. Normally AP wouldnt get their sticky paws on it unless it had a problem that only they could fix. This time sent it in because I am a lazy get and wanted then to sort out the black crap on the connectors and rubber stamp its condition.

Here’s the background;
My old girl is a classic of the 2002 (ish) pedigree and when I bought it, I was told it had never been in to AP for a service. There again, it had never missed a beat so never needed to….. according to the previous owner. just under two years later in my care and the story is not much different. 150 dives without the electrickery missing a beat and I formed a soft spot for those controllers.
So this is where the story starts.
Some months ago the back lighting started to fail, slowly at first and only on one handset. Not entirely a shock to me and completely unconcerned except for the potential loss in resale value should I ever decide to dispose of it.
One fantastic day on the Farnes and a flawless 137 mins of bottom time later I got back in the RIB and went home. At home I washed it off as I do every week in the workshop and decided it was time to replace a cell (date related only). Changed one out and fired up the controllers. Only one of them didn’t fire up. Bollox!
I stripped it out and re-terminated the power supply, pulled out the controllers from the housings and tested the microswitches. All good, working fine but the molex connectors were a bit black and I decided to bite the bullet and send it in to AP for a quick service.
Tony got hold of it at AP and confirmed the repair work was good and a service would be fine with the addition of a new solenoid as the old one was no longer suitable for oxygen service due to degradation. Two days later, a call to Tony revealed that I had two cracked handsets. I was surprised for sure but it was explained that the handset housings are pressure tested and the flaws were very small indeed.
a day or two later I got an email from Zoe explaining that;

“Tony has now completed the service on your lid. Unfortunately, during the final test the comps went Master / Master, but we had a compatible handset, so only 1 new module was needed to get everything in working order.”

Having never had any electronics failures to date, I must assume that the testing AP carry out would highlight any potential weaknesses. I should have asked for a brief resume of the tests that were carried out in the hope that we can benefit in safety from that knowledge. It's likely that we wouldnt learn anything new though. Make you own minds up about it.
The head did come back with some welcome revisions, such as a new battery box with different termination's, a rubber gasketed battery cover and such like.

The bill was painful though.

How much was the bill I'm thinking of a service as well?
I also change cells every 12 months

Mdemon · 12th October 2006, 11:38

2001/2002 Classic. Don't know when last APD serviced. Won't send it back unless something wrong with computers themselves.

Had molexes replaced by a friend and will be upgrading to coax shortly (again, DIY) because the amount of wire that needed stripping was scarey for the molexes. Will be doing the same to my lovely rEvodream.

From what I have had explained to me there is no failsafe way to stop wire degradation when using a molex. By using the right coax connector, the internal conductor core can be completely sealed. It will also make better contact with the cell.

Looking forward to seeing what this is about Alex. Worried, too - don't spook the divers!!!!

paulraymaekers · 12th October 2006, 11:47

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

From what I have had explained to me there is no failsafe way to stop wire degradation when using a molex. !!!

I do not agree: in the rEvodreams the wires are protected from degradation!!!

tric is the following: normally you don't solder when clamping molex connectors, but we do..

goes as follows: make sure you have a clable that melts nicely by the heat of the fluid solder, without degrading the plastic: cut to length, put solder on the wire and keep the heat a bit on the wire: solder enters in the wire and melts the plastic a bit round the soldered part. stop heating, solder solidifies and cable is sealed by the plastic.
now for clamping the molex: on the connector, you have 2 clamping zones: make sure one clamps on the plastic wire, the other on the soldered wire,
then, to give extra protection for the connector, put grease on it (oxygen compatible of course :-) and slide it in the plastic molex.

of course, you can not do that on a degraded cable: not possible to put solder on it :-(

regards
paul

Mdemon · 12th October 2006, 12:27

Quote: (Originally Posted by paulraymaekers)

I do not agree: in the rEvodreams the wires are protected from degradation!!!

tric is the following: normally you don't solder when clamping molex connectors, but we do..

goes as follows: make sure you have a clable that melts nicely by the heat of the fluid solder, without degrading the plastic: cut to length, put solder on the wire and keep the heat a bit on the wire: solder enters in the wire and melts the plastic a bit round the soldered part. stop heating, solder solidifies and cable is sealed by the plastic.
now for clamping the molex: on the connector, you have 2 clamping zones: make sure one clamps on the plastic wire, the other on the soldered wire,
then, to give extra protection for the connector, put grease on it (oxygen compatible of course :-) and slide it in the plastic molex.

of course, you can not do that on a degraded cable: not possible to put solder on it :-(

regards
paul

That is a nice touch, certainly, and is a great idea. Very surprised to find it on mine!

The reason I refer the coax idea is that soldering may, possibly, add a failure point to the cable and fluid could still get past the solder if there is any airspace between the strands by capillary action. The coax connection would completely seal the wire without additional connections.

Don't get me wrong, your method is much more robust than the connections I have in my Inspo and a vast improvement.

divetheworld · 12th October 2006, 12:43

Quote: (Originally Posted by ding)

How much was the bill I'm thinking of a service as well?
I also change cells every 12 months

Sit down for this one.

2x R22BUD sensors
1x Solenoid valve
Full service
One new controller

£524.08 inc VAT.

Padowan · 12th October 2006, 13:37

Quote: (Originally Posted by divetheworld)

Sit down for this one.

2x R22BUD sensors
1x Solenoid valve
Full service
One new controller

£524.08 inc VAT.

Ouch!

From prices I've heard banded around, and off the top of my head, AP charge £170 for a replacement single handset, £65 for the sensors, and about £40 for the solenoid. This puts the "service" charge at about £185. But I may be wrong on those prices...

Personally I've not had my unit serviced by AP. I've had it for about 25 months and it's never missed a beat. My plan was to pop the head in for a check-up after this season, as it will have about 200 hours diving on it by then.

Mark Chase · 12th October 2006, 15:44

I had my unit serviced in May 06 as part of a repair. i wouldn't send it in otherwise because they trim back the wires on the loom and after a couple of services they announce the wires are too short and charge you for a new loom

This is insane but thats what they do.

I am sure i paid £150 for a service. I have no idea what a service includes.

Any body out there know what they do apart from cutting up the loom?

ATB

Mark Chase

View Poll Results: How long ago did APD service your Inspiration?
1 year ago or less	84	55.63%
Less than 2 years ago	26	17.22%
Less than 3 years ago	9	5.96%
More than 3 years ago	32	21.19%
Voters: 151. You may not vote on this poll

12th October 2006, 09:47	#1 (permalink)
AD_ward9 - Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 2,004	How often has your Inspo been serviced? Very important reason for asking this. After we have 50 people vote, I will post the reason. Edit: By "APD" I mean Ambient Pressure Diving in Cornwall, or any of their authorised service technicians, such as their US distributor. If you had it serviced in the last 3 years by APD, please could you post here the reason you did so. Was it to fix a breakage or for another reason? Alex Last edited by AD_ward9 : 12th October 2006 at 09:56.
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12th October 2006, 10:09	#2 (permalink)
divetheworld Dive porn pimp Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Classic Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 1,630	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? Alex, I had mine serviced just a short while ago, but it was the first time in four years. Normally AP wouldnt get their sticky paws on it unless it had a problem that only they could fix. This time sent it in because I am a lazy get and wanted then to sort out the black crap on the connectors and rubber stamp its condition. Here’s the background; My old girl is a classic of the 2002 (ish) pedigree and when I bought it, I was told it had never been in to AP for a service. There again, it had never missed a beat so never needed to….. according to the previous owner. just under two years later in my care and the story is not much different. 150 dives without the electrickery missing a beat and I formed a soft spot for those controllers. So this is where the story starts. Some months ago the back lighting started to fail, slowly at first and only on one handset. Not entirely a shock to me and completely unconcerned except for the potential loss in resale value should I ever decide to dispose of it. One fantastic day on the Farnes and a flawless 137 mins of bottom time later I got back in the RIB and went home. At home I washed it off as I do every week in the workshop and decided it was time to replace a cell (date related only). Changed one out and fired up the controllers. Only one of them didn’t fire up. Bollox! I stripped it out and re-terminated the power supply, pulled out the controllers from the housings and tested the microswitches. All good, working fine but the molex connectors were a bit black and I decided to bite the bullet and send it in to AP for a quick service. Tony got hold of it at AP and confirmed the repair work was good and a service would be fine with the addition of a new solenoid as the old one was no longer suitable for oxygen service due to degradation. Two days later, a call to Tony revealed that I had two cracked handsets. I was surprised for sure but it was explained that the handset housings are pressure tested and the flaws were very small indeed. a day or two later I got an email from Zoe explaining that; “Tony has now completed the service on your lid. Unfortunately, during the final test the comps went Master / Master, but we had a compatible handset, so only 1 new module was needed to get everything in working order.” Having never had any electronics failures to date, I must assume that the testing AP carry out would highlight any potential weaknesses. I should have asked for a brief resume of the tests that were carried out in the hope that we can benefit in safety from that knowledge. It's likely that we wouldnt learn anything new though. Make you own minds up about it. The head did come back with some welcome revisions, such as a new battery box with different termination's, a rubber gasketed battery cover and such like. The bill was painful though. __________________ Attitude and self praise is no reccomendation. Dont try to be a great man, just be a man and let history be the judge of you. *WWW.NARKEDAT90.CO.UK* *http://www.grpservices.com/pursuit/* Supporting Shearwater Research Products in Europe
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12th October 2006, 10:50	#3 (permalink)
Johnny Christensen RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 306	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? I had my entire electronics replaced 2 years ago. At that time it had the original eletronics with the old battery case that could do the bounce. Unit is from december 2001. Cracked handsets caused flooding and I elected to have it completly rebuild with the new controllers. 3 months ago, cracked handsets and flooding again. This time I only had them replace the parts that was damaged, so new microswitches, casings etc. I keep the rest of the unit in good service condition myself. Only the electronics are send away to APD. Had the handsets not cracked and flooded, I think it would be at least 4-5 years between I would have send it in for service. Providing it did not exibit any faults of course. Changing out cells every 12 months, and I don't care about the extra costs it induces. __________________ www.johnnychristensen.com Wreckphotography from the cold north
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12th October 2006, 11:36	#4 (permalink)
ding RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glasgow Posts: 58	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? Quote: (Originally Posted by divetheworld) Alex, I had mine serviced just a short while ago, but it was the first time in four years. Normally AP wouldnt get their sticky paws on it unless it had a problem that only they could fix. This time sent it in because I am a lazy get and wanted then to sort out the black crap on the connectors and rubber stamp its condition. Here’s the background; My old girl is a classic of the 2002 (ish) pedigree and when I bought it, I was told it had never been in to AP for a service. There again, it had never missed a beat so never needed to….. according to the previous owner. just under two years later in my care and the story is not much different. 150 dives without the electrickery missing a beat and I formed a soft spot for those controllers. So this is where the story starts. Some months ago the back lighting started to fail, slowly at first and only on one handset. Not entirely a shock to me and completely unconcerned except for the potential loss in resale value should I ever decide to dispose of it. One fantastic day on the Farnes and a flawless 137 mins of bottom time later I got back in the RIB and went home. At home I washed it off as I do every week in the workshop and decided it was time to replace a cell (date related only). Changed one out and fired up the controllers. Only one of them didn’t fire up. Bollox! I stripped it out and re-terminated the power supply, pulled out the controllers from the housings and tested the microswitches. All good, working fine but the molex connectors were a bit black and I decided to bite the bullet and send it in to AP for a quick service. Tony got hold of it at AP and confirmed the repair work was good and a service would be fine with the addition of a new solenoid as the old one was no longer suitable for oxygen service due to degradation. Two days later, a call to Tony revealed that I had two cracked handsets. I was surprised for sure but it was explained that the handset housings are pressure tested and the flaws were very small indeed. a day or two later I got an email from Zoe explaining that; “Tony has now completed the service on your lid. Unfortunately, during the final test the comps went Master / Master, but we had a compatible handset, so only 1 new module was needed to get everything in working order.” Having never had any electronics failures to date, I must assume that the testing AP carry out would highlight any potential weaknesses. I should have asked for a brief resume of the tests that were carried out in the hope that we can benefit in safety from that knowledge. It's likely that we wouldnt learn anything new though. Make you own minds up about it. The head did come back with some welcome revisions, such as a new battery box with different termination's, a rubber gasketed battery cover and such like. The bill was painful though. How much was the bill I'm thinking of a service as well? I also change cells every 12 months
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12th October 2006, 11:38	#5 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,940	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? 2001/2002 Classic. Don't know when last APD serviced. Won't send it back unless something wrong with computers themselves. Had molexes replaced by a friend and will be upgrading to coax shortly (again, DIY) because the amount of wire that needed stripping was scarey for the molexes. Will be doing the same to my lovely rEvodream. From what I have had explained to me there is no failsafe way to stop wire degradation when using a molex. By using the right coax connector, the internal conductor core can be completely sealed. It will also make better contact with the cell. Looking forward to seeing what this is about Alex. Worried, too - don't spook the divers!!!! __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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12th October 2006, 11:47	#6 (permalink)
paulraymaekers rEvo's daddy Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: belgium Posts: 1,600	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) From what I have had explained to me there is no failsafe way to stop wire degradation when using a molex. !!! I do not agree: in the rEvodreams the wires are protected from degradation!!! tric is the following: normally you don't solder when clamping molex connectors, but we do.. goes as follows: make sure you have a clable that melts nicely by the heat of the fluid solder, without degrading the plastic: cut to length, put solder on the wire and keep the heat a bit on the wire: solder enters in the wire and melts the plastic a bit round the soldered part. stop heating, solder solidifies and cable is sealed by the plastic. now for clamping the molex: on the connector, you have 2 clamping zones: make sure one clamps on the plastic wire, the other on the soldered wire, then, to give extra protection for the connector, put grease on it (oxygen compatible of course :-) and slide it in the plastic molex. of course, you can not do that on a degraded cable: not possible to put solder on it :-( regards paul __________________ www.rEvo-rebreathers.com .... the earth is flat, Elvis is alive, and radial scrubbers give longer dwell time than axials...
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12th October 2006, 12:27	#7 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,940	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? Quote: (Originally Posted by paulraymaekers) I do not agree: in the rEvodreams the wires are protected from degradation!!! tric is the following: normally you don't solder when clamping molex connectors, but we do.. goes as follows: make sure you have a clable that melts nicely by the heat of the fluid solder, without degrading the plastic: cut to length, put solder on the wire and keep the heat a bit on the wire: solder enters in the wire and melts the plastic a bit round the soldered part. stop heating, solder solidifies and cable is sealed by the plastic. now for clamping the molex: on the connector, you have 2 clamping zones: make sure one clamps on the plastic wire, the other on the soldered wire, then, to give extra protection for the connector, put grease on it (oxygen compatible of course :-) and slide it in the plastic molex. of course, you can not do that on a degraded cable: not possible to put solder on it :-( regards paul That is a nice touch, certainly, and is a great idea. Very surprised to find it on mine! The reason I refer the coax idea is that soldering may, possibly, add a failure point to the cable and fluid could still get past the solder if there is any airspace between the strands by capillary action. The coax connection would completely seal the wire without additional connections. Don't get me wrong, your method is much more robust than the connections I have in my Inspo and a vast improvement. __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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12th October 2006, 12:43	#8 (permalink)
divetheworld Dive porn pimp Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Classic Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 1,630	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? Quote: (Originally Posted by ding) How much was the bill I'm thinking of a service as well? I also change cells every 12 months Sit down for this one. 2x R22BUD sensors 1x Solenoid valve Full service One new controller £524.08 inc VAT. __________________ Attitude and self praise is no reccomendation. Dont try to be a great man, just be a man and let history be the judge of you. *WWW.NARKEDAT90.CO.UK* *http://www.grpservices.com/pursuit/* Supporting Shearwater Research Products in Europe
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12th October 2006, 13:37	#9 (permalink)
Padowan RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Exeter, UK. Posts: 524	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? Quote: (Originally Posted by divetheworld) Sit down for this one. 2x R22BUD sensors 1x Solenoid valve Full service One new controller £524.08 inc VAT. Ouch! From prices I've heard banded around, and off the top of my head, AP charge £170 for a replacement single handset, £65 for the sensors, and about £40 for the solenoid. This puts the "service" charge at about £185. But I may be wrong on those prices... Personally I've not had my unit serviced by AP. I've had it for about 25 months and it's never missed a beat. My plan was to pop the head in for a check-up after this season, as it will have about 200 hours diving on it by then. __________________ Padowan The future's bright, the future's Yellow .....for now padowan.net - Latest Video: Scapa Flow Rebreather Diving
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12th October 2006, 15:44	#10 (permalink)
Mark Chase RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,823	Re: How often has your Inspo been serviced? I had my unit serviced in May 06 as part of a repair. i wouldn't send it in otherwise because they trim back the wires on the loom and after a couple of services they announce the wires are too short and charge you for a new loom This is insane but thats what they do. I am sure i paid £150 for a service. I have no idea what a service includes. Any body out there know what they do apart from cutting up the loom? ATB Mark Chase __________________ See my "Doing It Chasey" video where I'm locked into a padded room, naked, with two ball bearings and within an Hour, I manage to lose one and break the other!!! Kevin Juergensen 16/11/08 [/quote]
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