What goes wrong when your 'breather gets old

Abbo · 3rd August 2008, 04:24

I have recently had trouble with the oxygen input on my Meg: it came loose, allowing water to leak into the head. I have always been extremely careful not to pull on the swagelock. My understanding is that this is a reasonably common problem.

Mark Chase · 3rd August 2008, 11:15

Classic Inspo:

About 200hours 18months without issues (I dont consider changing cells an issue) apart from replacement magnets

Then:

ADV failed
Magnets replaced three times in two years
Both hand sets shut down during a dive
Cracked hand sets
Replaced buzzer
Molex conection failure
02 presure gauge fell apart

URI HUD on Classic

Multiple issues with wireing to LEDs
Problems with on off switch conection

Hammer Head:

HUD failure on new HUD. (Flooded)

From day one with all three units i owned:

Nickle handsets the nickle plating failed
Multiple issues with rebooting on all its, battey contacts issues what ever but in one instance changing the mother board cured it.
Two depth sensor failures
Several issues with odd decompresion run times possably related to depth sensors

KISS:

Paragon BOV fell apart under water
Paragon BOV failed on pre dive check
Leaking ADV and problems with replacement

V4 TEC BOV

No Problems just didnt like the fact it wouldent do a neg test

GOLUM BOV

Free flowed on a few ocasions but new uprated sprig stoped this

Shearwater HUD

No Problems

Shearwater Display on KISS

Flooded cable repalced under warrentee
A few minor up load inssues all fixed with software upgrades.

Thats it.

ATB

Mark

One broken wire in the loom

Simon A · 3rd August 2008, 21:29

And if you're developing a rebreather and need to find the weak points. I'm sure Mark will be the first to admit that he has a track record. If a rebreather can be made to break/fail he can do it the quickest. And is therefore idealy qualified to be on your beta test team.

Simon A

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Classic Inspo:

About 200hours 18months without issues (I dont consider changing cells an issue) apart from replacement magnets

Then:

ADV failed
Magnets replaced three times in two years
Both hand sets shut down during a dive
Cracked hand sets
Replaced buzzer
Molex conection failure

URI HUD on Classic

Multiple issues with wireing to LEDs
Problems with on off switch conection

Hammer Head:

HUD failure on new HUD. (Flooded)

From day one with all three units i owned:

Nickle handsets the nickle plating failed
Multiple issues with rebooting on all its, battey contacts issues what ever but in one instance changing the mother board cured it.
Two depth sensor failures
Several issues with odd decompresion run times possably related to depth sensors

KISS:

Paragon BOV fell apart under water
Paragon BOV failed on pre dive check
Leaking ADV and problems with replacement

V4 TEC BOV

No Problems just didnt like the fact it wouldent do a neg test

GOLUM BOV

Free flowed on a few ocasions but new uprated sprig stoped this

Shearwater HUD

No Problems

Shearwater Display on KISS

Flooded cable repalced under warrentee
A few minor up load inssues all fixed with software upgrades.

Thats it.

ATB

Mark

One broken wire in the loom

Mark Chase · 3rd August 2008, 23:35

Hey thats cool with me, send me your rebreathers FOC and ill test em for you

If I cant break em no one can

ATB

Mark

(Mind you i owned two VR3s and aside from loosing a line of pixels and a flooded Fischer connector, they were faultless. Yet I read horror stories about VR3's all the time???)

diverklondike · 4th August 2008, 00:05

To your origional question....

Bad things if you do not properly maintain them...

M

cronix · 4th August 2008, 00:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon A)

And if you're developing a rebreather and need to find the weak points. I'm sure Mark will be the first to admit that he has a track record. If a rebreather can be made to break/fail he can do it the quickest. And is therefore idealy qualified to be on your beta test team.

Simon A

That is why the rEvo was born

. How many manufacturers are changing new insights into new modifications so fast?

Dave Faye · 4th August 2008, 21:54

After nearly 200 hours of use I have only replaced my:

dil pressure gauge
and recently my 02 gauge

Somehow moisture ended up inside the gauges and they got sticky. Had a freeflowing ADV once or twice but did some typical servicing and its fine. Otherwise, batts, cells, etc. are all I needed to change.

Yearly head and 1st stage service as well as all around o-ring replacements keeps my unit in good working order.

Safe Diving

3rd August 2008, 04:24	#11 (permalink)
Abbo Nicholas Smith Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tokyo Posts: 460	Re: What goes wrong when your 'breather gets old I have recently had trouble with the oxygen input on my Meg: it came loose, allowing water to leak into the head. I have always been extremely careful not to pull on the swagelock. My understanding is that this is a reasonably common problem.
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3rd August 2008, 11:15	#12 (permalink)
Mark Chase RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,857	Re: What goes wrong when your 'breather gets old Classic Inspo: About 200hours 18months without issues (I dont consider changing cells an issue) apart from replacement magnets Then: ADV failed Magnets replaced three times in two years Both hand sets shut down during a dive Cracked hand sets Replaced buzzer Molex conection failure 02 presure gauge fell apart URI HUD on Classic Multiple issues with wireing to LEDs Problems with on off switch conection Hammer Head: HUD failure on new HUD. (Flooded) From day one with all three units i owned: Nickle handsets the nickle plating failed Multiple issues with rebooting on all its, battey contacts issues what ever but in one instance changing the mother board cured it. Two depth sensor failures Several issues with odd decompresion run times possably related to depth sensors KISS: Paragon BOV fell apart under water Paragon BOV failed on pre dive check Leaking ADV and problems with replacement V4 TEC BOV No Problems just didnt like the fact it wouldent do a neg test GOLUM BOV Free flowed on a few ocasions but new uprated sprig stoped this Shearwater HUD No Problems Shearwater Display on KISS Flooded cable repalced under warrentee A few minor up load inssues all fixed with software upgrades. Thats it. ATB Mark One broken wire in the loom __________________ 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] Last edited by Mark Chase : 5th August 2008 at 14:55.
(Online)

3rd August 2008, 21:29	#13 (permalink)
Simon A Escapee from DIY Rebreather's Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Reading, UK Posts: 345	Re: What goes wrong when your 'breather gets old And if you're developing a rebreather and need to find the weak points. I'm sure Mark will be the first to admit that he has a track record. If a rebreather can be made to break/fail he can do it the quickest. And is therefore idealy qualified to be on your beta test team. Simon A Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Classic Inspo: About 200hours 18months without issues (I dont consider changing cells an issue) apart from replacement magnets Then: ADV failed Magnets replaced three times in two years Both hand sets shut down during a dive Cracked hand sets Replaced buzzer Molex conection failure URI HUD on Classic Multiple issues with wireing to LEDs Problems with on off switch conection Hammer Head: HUD failure on new HUD. (Flooded) From day one with all three units i owned: Nickle handsets the nickle plating failed Multiple issues with rebooting on all its, battey contacts issues what ever but in one instance changing the mother board cured it. Two depth sensor failures Several issues with odd decompresion run times possably related to depth sensors KISS: Paragon BOV fell apart under water Paragon BOV failed on pre dive check Leaking ADV and problems with replacement V4 TEC BOV No Problems just didnt like the fact it wouldent do a neg test GOLUM BOV Free flowed on a few ocasions but new uprated sprig stoped this Shearwater HUD No Problems Shearwater Display on KISS Flooded cable repalced under warrentee A few minor up load inssues all fixed with software upgrades. Thats it. ATB Mark One broken wire in the loom
(Online)

3rd August 2008, 23:35	#14 (permalink)
Mark Chase RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,857	Re: What goes wrong when your 'breather gets old Hey thats cool with me, send me your rebreathers FOC and ill test em for you If I cant break em no one can ATB Mark (Mind you i owned two VR3s and aside from loosing a line of pixels and a flooded Fischer connector, they were faultless. Yet I read horror stories about VR3's all the time???) __________________ 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]
(Online)

4th August 2008, 00:05	#15 (permalink)
diverklondike RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,714	Re: What goes wrong when your 'breather gets old To your origional question.... Bad things if you do not properly maintain them... M
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4th August 2008, 00:18	#16 (permalink)
cronix New Member Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic rEvo Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 39	Re: What goes wrong when your 'breather gets old Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon A) And if you're developing a rebreather and need to find the weak points. I'm sure Mark will be the first to admit that he has a track record. If a rebreather can be made to break/fail he can do it the quickest. And is therefore idealy qualified to be on your beta test team. Simon A That is why the rEvo was born . How many manufacturers are changing new insights into new modifications so fast? __________________ You can never get close enough to get a good picture
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4th August 2008, 21:54	#17 (permalink)
Dave Faye Know the wreck below? Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 169	Re: What goes wrong when your 'breather gets old After nearly 200 hours of use I have only replaced my: dil pressure gauge and recently my 02 gauge Somehow moisture ended up inside the gauges and they got sticky. Had a freeflowing ADV once or twice but did some typical servicing and its fine. Otherwise, batts, cells, etc. are all I needed to change. Yearly head and 1st stage service as well as all around o-ring replacements keeps my unit in good working order. Safe Diving __________________ Dave http://www.Bostondeepwrecks.com http://www.Fayelaw.com
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