Possible Meg scrubber by-pass

Yann A. · 2nd April 2007, 11:30

Hello Meg users,

I’ve recently noticed that on the upper side of my scrubber there is a gap between the black derlin part (where the head’s neck slides in when assembled) and the clear plastic body. The gap isn’t big enough to be seen but can easily be felt when one hand hold the clear body and the other moves lightly the black part.
Since day one, I always had a light movement of the U shape metallic part (used to hold on the bottom of the scrbber).
Now my question is could this be an issue that could lead to the exhaled gas by-passing the scrubber? To me it looks like it would as it’s the shortest and may well be the least resistance path.
The 2 parts of different material are not bounded together by any form of glue and it doesn’t look like any o-ring has been placed in to ensure the air tightness (on my canister that is). My unit is number 68. I’m not aware of any manufacturing changes on the canister since I bought my unit.
Anyone in the know how these 2 parts are supposed to ensure air tightness?
Did anyone experience this issue?
I’m living and diving in the tropics at the moment so no much difference of temperature between the water and the dry environment, also, I always keep my unit in the shade or covered under a wet towel during boat rides, I never dropped the canister or whatsoever…

I’ll try to put on a pic as soon as I can but I believe Meg users will have no pbm identifying the location I’m referring to.

Thank you for your input.

Yann.

maischan · 2nd April 2007, 13:25

Yann,

Here are the pics I had from last day discussion.

I think it is the views you wanted to share here.

***schford*** · 2nd April 2007, 13:27

So thats the top of the scrubber if I am reading it correctly that you have upside down to take a photo?

maischan · 2nd April 2007, 13:31

Quote: (Originally Posted by schford)

So thats the top of the scrubber if I am reading it correctly that you have upside down to take a photo?

Yes it was the only angle to show the 2 parts Yann was talking about.

***schford*** · 2nd April 2007, 13:49

I will look tonight at our scrubbers.

If you are concerned though I would suggest giving Leon or Steve a ring at the factory for the official view...

Chris · 2nd April 2007, 14:34

Just pulled mine out to have a look.

The answer assuming you mean between the black and the clear sections is NO it can't bypass through there and not go through the Sorb.

IF and its a big IF as it seems pretty sealed up to me, (mine is full of freshish sorb so I am not emptying it to look) any gas where to pass through that area it is would still be in the exhale side of the scrubber.

The only path for gas back onto the inhale side is through the hole in the middle and then into the center of the head and this is double Oring sealed so I think you are going to be pretty right.

Not that I can see how but any gas leaking through where you mention is just going to make another trip through the scrubber.

Cheers
Chriso

Yann A. · 3rd April 2007, 04:08

Hi Chris,

If there's a leak, the gas will bypass the scrubber as it will go from the exhale side of the scrubber thru the "gap" (between the 2 pieces) then between the sorb and the mesh disk to the head. Yes the head is double o-ring sealed with the black part, but the leak would be between the black part and the clear portion of the scrubber.

Stuart, I'm sending Steve and Leon a mail right now (provided my weak Internet connection gives me a chance to upload the pics). Will keep you informed.

I just thought on posting this as one could easily overlook and CO2 bypass. unless I'm missing something in the scrubber assembly.

Rgds,

Yann.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris)

Just pulled mine out to have a look.

The answer assuming you mean between the black and the clear sections is NO it can't bypass through there and not go through the Sorb.

IF and its a big IF as it seems pretty sealed up to me, (mine is full of freshish sorb so I am not emptying it to look) any gas where to pass through that area it is would still be in the exhale side of the scrubber.

The only path for gas back onto the inhale side is through the hole in the middle and then into the center of the head and this is double Oring sealed so I think you are going to be pretty right.

Not that I can see how but any gas leaking through where you mention is just going to make another trip through the scrubber.

Cheers
Chriso

**UWSojourner** · 3rd April 2007, 05:22

Seems like you could directly test for bypass. You could seal the other end (there's enough room betwen the metal bracket) and put some powder or smoke on the "crack". Then apply suction and see if the powder or smoke moves through the crack.

Chris · 3rd April 2007, 10:47

Ohh I see what you mean, so you are worried about gas going from the exhale side at the top of the can, through the gap into the top of the scrubber then on to the inside of the head.

How big did you say the gap was ?

Cheers
Chriso

Yann A. · 3rd April 2007, 11:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris)

Ohh I see what you mean, so you are worried about gas going from the exhale side at the top of the can, through the gap into the top of the scrubber then on to the inside of the head.

How big did you say the gap was ?

Cheers
Chriso

The gap is probably very small. More than a gap it's just that the 2 pieces are not bounded to each other. We can feel some tolerance between the two parts so it looks like gas (i.e CO2) could go thru that margin.

Yann.

2nd April 2007, 11:30	#1 (permalink)
Yann A. New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indonesia Posts: 49	Possible Meg scrubber by-pass Hello Meg users, I’ve recently noticed that on the upper side of my scrubber there is a gap between the black derlin part (where the head’s neck slides in when assembled) and the clear plastic body. The gap isn’t big enough to be seen but can easily be felt when one hand hold the clear body and the other moves lightly the black part. Since day one, I always had a light movement of the U shape metallic part (used to hold on the bottom of the scrbber). Now my question is could this be an issue that could lead to the exhaled gas by-passing the scrubber? To me it looks like it would as it’s the shortest and may well be the least resistance path. The 2 parts of different material are not bounded together by any form of glue and it doesn’t look like any o-ring has been placed in to ensure the air tightness (on my canister that is). My unit is number 68. I’m not aware of any manufacturing changes on the canister since I bought my unit. Anyone in the know how these 2 parts are supposed to ensure air tightness? Did anyone experience this issue? I’m living and diving in the tropics at the moment so no much difference of temperature between the water and the dry environment, also, I always keep my unit in the shade or covered under a wet towel during boat rides, I never dropped the canister or whatsoever… I’ll try to put on a pic as soon as I can but I believe Meg users will have no pbm identifying the location I’m referring to. Thank you for your input. Yann.
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2nd April 2007, 13:27	#3 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,660	Re: Possible Meg scrubber by-pass So thats the top of the scrubber if I am reading it correctly that you have upside down to take a photo? __________________ Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had. Use of Rebreather World is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use
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2nd April 2007, 13:31	#4 (permalink)
maischan New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 32	Re: Possible Meg scrubber by-pass Quote: (Originally Posted by schford) So thats the top of the scrubber if I am reading it correctly that you have upside down to take a photo? Yes it was the only angle to show the 2 parts Yann was talking about.
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2nd April 2007, 13:49	#5 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,660	Re: Possible Meg scrubber by-pass I will look tonight at our scrubbers. If you are concerned though I would suggest giving Leon or Steve a ring at the factory for the official view... __________________ Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had. Use of Rebreather World is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use
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2nd April 2007, 14:34	#6 (permalink)
Chris Go Nude Or Go Home Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 599	Re: Possible Meg scrubber by-pass Just pulled mine out to have a look. The answer assuming you mean between the black and the clear sections is NO it can't bypass through there and not go through the Sorb. IF and its a big IF as it seems pretty sealed up to me, (mine is full of freshish sorb so I am not emptying it to look) any gas where to pass through that area it is would still be in the exhale side of the scrubber. The only path for gas back onto the inhale side is through the hole in the middle and then into the center of the head and this is double Oring sealed so I think you are going to be pretty right. Not that I can see how but any gas leaking through where you mention is just going to make another trip through the scrubber. Cheers Chriso __________________ Megalodon Sorb and Sensors whilst in Australia www.divetub.com.au Diving & Photography @ www.uwphotog.com
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3rd April 2007, 04:08	#7 (permalink)
Yann A. New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indonesia Posts: 49	Re: Possible Meg scrubber by-pass Hi Chris, If there's a leak, the gas will bypass the scrubber as it will go from the exhale side of the scrubber thru the "gap" (between the 2 pieces) then between the sorb and the mesh disk to the head. Yes the head is double o-ring sealed with the black part, but the leak would be between the black part and the clear portion of the scrubber. Stuart, I'm sending Steve and Leon a mail right now (provided my weak Internet connection gives me a chance to upload the pics). Will keep you informed. I just thought on posting this as one could easily overlook and CO2 bypass. unless I'm missing something in the scrubber assembly. Rgds, Yann. Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris) Just pulled mine out to have a look. The answer assuming you mean between the black and the clear sections is NO it can't bypass through there and not go through the Sorb. IF and its a big IF as it seems pretty sealed up to me, (mine is full of freshish sorb so I am not emptying it to look) any gas where to pass through that area it is would still be in the exhale side of the scrubber. The only path for gas back onto the inhale side is through the hole in the middle and then into the center of the head and this is double Oring sealed so I think you are going to be pretty right. Not that I can see how but any gas leaking through where you mention is just going to make another trip through the scrubber. Cheers Chriso
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3rd April 2007, 05:22	#8 (permalink)
UWSojourner Pacific Northwest Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 556	Re: Possible Meg scrubber by-pass Seems like you could directly test for bypass. You could seal the other end (there's enough room betwen the metal bracket) and put some powder or smoke on the "crack". Then apply suction and see if the powder or smoke moves through the crack.
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3rd April 2007, 10:47	#9 (permalink)
Chris Go Nude Or Go Home Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 599	Re: Possible Meg scrubber by-pass Ohh I see what you mean, so you are worried about gas going from the exhale side at the top of the can, through the gap into the top of the scrubber then on to the inside of the head. How big did you say the gap was ? Cheers Chriso __________________ Megalodon Sorb and Sensors whilst in Australia www.divetub.com.au Diving & Photography @ www.uwphotog.com
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3rd April 2007, 11:18	#10 (permalink)
Yann A. New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indonesia Posts: 49	Re: Possible Meg scrubber by-pass Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris) Ohh I see what you mean, so you are worried about gas going from the exhale side at the top of the can, through the gap into the top of the scrubber then on to the inside of the head. How big did you say the gap was ? Cheers Chriso The gap is probably very small. More than a gap it's just that the 2 pieces are not bounded to each other. We can feel some tolerance between the two parts so it looks like gas (i.e CO2) could go thru that margin. Yann.
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