makes you feel like an idiot not realising its that simple, we need more youtubers like you, explaining with excitment and keeping it simple

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

Жыл бұрын

I like simple thinks in scuba, my wife likes me simple too! Thanks for watching. A

Nicely done. Great explanation. Thanks much for the video.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, they are super reliable and so simple. A

Waow Alec, that s the best description of a piston reg i have ever watched! this is gold standard! thanks so much again, Can you do the same for diaphragm regs?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lulu. More of this stuff is coming. It seems to be very popular. Alec

I seriously love your explanations.

I like your videos, very well structured, I encourage knowledge so your explanation is something that should be teached on the base open water certification, all regulators ( diving, pneumatic, hydraulic )functions on the forces equilibrum, usually springs establishes the operation parameters and shims ( or screws ) are used to make the fine tuning. I prefer the diaphragm type first stage for a simple reason, on a piston type, the piston sliding movement can be impaired by grit entering by the pressure compensation ports, on the diaphragm type, nothing but air coming from the tank floods the sliding parts. two topics that could be interesting to explore, the first one is why we find corrosion inside the diving tanks, the second one is why a regulator freezes when used in cold water, at glance, these two phenomenons are due to humidity of the ambiant air compressed in the tanks that is not eliminated by the filling station equipment and condensates in the tank and freezes in the first stage because of the thermodynamic cooling effect from passing abruptly from say 3000 PSI to say 150 PSI.

@alaind831

5 жыл бұрын

I had made the same comment on the piston vs diaphram video - clearly the piston and spring were very corroded in that video by having salt water contact, so the sliding orings would get affected/worn faster than a pure air sliding membrane 1st stage. Also mentioned while Alec was making it sounds like piston were more reliable/cheaper, he himself owns an oceanic membrane first stage. The one part I haven't fully nailed yet, is that membrane 1st stage can come environment sealed or not (an option on mine) so some water still entering a spring chamber, and piston reg can also have env seals - so that main spring but be sealed somehow with something else pushing on for ambient pressure. In the end are they really that different if bot sealed ? is it a size of piston difference ?

Alec , your the man! God Bless you!!!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much sir.

awesome. thank you Alec

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching J. Alec

Finally I get it. Soooo easy. Makes perfect sense too. Thank you for explaining this using the cutaway and diagram!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. Alec

Always cristal clear. Keep this amazing work

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ivo. Alec

Awesome explanation. Appreciate the effort you have put into this. 👌

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Much appreciated!

Beautiful piece of engineering and physics! Thankyou Alec!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it!

great video and great design!!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it

Great video. Best explanation of how a regulator works that I've ever seen.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jim. Appreciate it. Alec

Alec, great instruction, please keep up great work

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

More to come!

Thank you for the great explanation! I really enjoy your channel and pass it on to my students. Frequently I have to translate you to spanish but you are so clear and paused that is not difficult for them to follow you. Keep on with this great dissemination of knowledge. Best.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

Good. My Spanish is sketchy and the few words I know may not be suitable for students. Thanks. Alec

Great Video Boss. Deeply explained. Thxx

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Hey Alec Woww it blows my mind. That's crazy

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

I love a well-blown mind. Take care. Alec

Fantastic Alec 👍

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks BigEasy. Alec

I really enjoyed your explanation and "breakdown" (both literally and figuratively) of the piston regulator. Thank you for sharing your expertise on the subject in a clear, easy to follow method. The assisting visuals greatly enhanced the effectiveness of your lesson. Still relevant and enjoyable content years later to someone discovering a new world!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful Dan. A

I already understood how first stages work but actually that was the best and easiest to understand and most complete explaination I have ever heard about that topic which will also help me to better explain it to my students. Thanks for that. :-)

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

OMG, that was amazing, thank you so much!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Roman. I'm going to do more of these technical videos. Everyone seems to like them. Alec

Very informative. Thanks!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Solved a few mysteries there Alec about the inner workings of a first stage reg, thanks for posting your interesting Tec Tips...............

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Bristol. Good to hear from you again. Alec

Well done, sir. I have worked with regs for a while and often refer to the popular "Scuba Regulator Savvy" book when I need to think through some things. This is a great high-level overview that is 100% sufficient for most people. You are a fantastic teacher and cut from a rare cloth. BTW, the Dacor Pacer XLS you sent me parts for came out perfectly.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

Glad your Dacor is working and very much appreciate the feedback Matt. Need to share our knowledge with new divers while we can.

Have read textbooks and textbooks trying to understand. This is by far the best explanation! Thank you!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! Guess my high school teaching skills still work.

@Caderic

3 жыл бұрын

Diagrams always help me. And this is a simple diagram. I can tell Alec has the heart of a teacher.

Thank you Alec! Best regardes from the Baltic Sea. 👋🏼

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

Hello and thanks for the shout out. Bet its a bit cool diving there now. Stay safe my friend.

@jvr2219

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Well, it should be a warm shorty. ;-)

That's it? Mind is blown. Thank you

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome. But you will watch more right?

Great video Thank you!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Caio. Alec

Beautiful explanation Better than any class i had while becoming an mechanical Engineer

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks.Maybe it's because I teach as I used to with my Grade 7/8 students. Simple, no big words, no formulae. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Alec

top class Alec

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Johnny.

Excellent!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

Good tutorial, a web site called Hickory Lake scuba does tutorials like this. Keep it up I like your tech tips.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

We have shared videos with Hickory Lake. They are good guys. Thanks for watching. Alec

It makes perfect sense now

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Good. Thanks for watching. Alec

Big fan of your tech tips - always learning something, and I like DIY the most. Wish you had spent half the time explaining the above, and continued on to explain what the spring and middle chamber does (won't spill the beans for others to think or watch your next videos - hint: water). One thing I can't figure out right now if how you get constant 150psi while your tank varies from 3000->500psi or less since that 1/20 size ratio is fixed, but then again the spring doesn't have a constant force so I think I just answered by own Q thinking some more. The old pistons reg I used 40 years ago got harder to breath as they ran low or got deeper - would be great to explain how balanced reg work as well, and what happens when any of those orings leaks (asked below).

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alain. I know you've been a long time supporter and I appreciate that. Everything you've mentioned is coming. This appears to be a popular topic so we will keep doing them. Talk again soon. Alec

Always very useful information. I must admit I never heard of piston or diaphragm terms for regulators until I watched your videos. My question is how much emphasis I should put on piston/diaphragm when choosing my regs. Also, how can I easily check whether the reg I fancy buying is piston or diaphragm, I often have to read a lot to find the info, and often I don't. I'm looking at buying a lightweight travel set regs/bcd ... for diving travels involving flights.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Choose the best regulator for your diving needs and your budget. Piston or diaphragm design doesn't matter. Generally, a piston reg is lighter and cheaper but that's very general. For most divers and most dives it really doesn't matter. Take care. Alec

you are just amazing coach i really need to translate all this to arabic to make a simple video for my students at my channel>>> you just make it easy for every one thanks alot

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Please do! Hope all enjoy and learn something from it. Alec

@whatyoudontknowaboutit

4 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thanks alot... that's very kind of you i will send you the video once it's done thanks again you are really helpful :)

Great video, definitely appreciate the more technical tech tips, keep em coming. Would love to see a discussion on how different regs are designed to fail open, from what it looks like if the top o ring blows the upper chamber cannot shut off the tank and we free flow; if the middle fails the surface area the tank pressure pushes on increases drives the piston up and we free flow. In both scenarios we get nearly the full tank pressure sent to the second stage.

@alaind831

5 жыл бұрын

you're assuming the middle chamber is closed... that is where the spring and water comes in to equalize with ambient pressure (water pushes up, forcing a higher top pressure needed to close, so >150psi). I'm guessing if that seal leaks you loose the ambient part so harder to breath at depth. (Edit:

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

You're both right. Even though the 1st stage is an upstream valve (more on this coming) and should close in the event of a failure, in fact, it will normally open and let too much air through - free flow. Virtually every regulator made today using the same technology and almost the identical design. That's how good it is. Alec

@alaind831

5 жыл бұрын

Alec, if the middle ring was missing, wouldn't you get free flow in the spring/water chamber escaping the first stage (not where you want free flow) and would that extra flow put more pressure on piston to open (get >150psi) or would the loss of effective tank pressure just mean it opens more to get to that 150psi ?

As usual, amazing video! How does a compensated reg work though?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I think you mean depth compensated which all scuba regulators are. I'm going to make a follow-up to this video soon explaining how depth compensation works. That's pretty neat too. Take care. Alec

Alec very interesting do Like a float chamber in a carburettor, if you remember these things. Used to work for air compressor company that is well known. So makes sense to me.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Right. If you are mechanically inclined, this is fun to watch. If you don't know the difference between a CV-Joint and a U-joint, it's confusing. I was a mechanic in the of dwell/tach. Many young mechanics have never used a timing light and laugh when I tell them we used to set the spark timing by twisting the distributor. "The what", they say. Alec

@kurtsteiner8384

4 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I gues we have a similar background. I was a mechanic it the motor trade. Then joined royal navy and became marine engineer diesel. It's there I learnt to dive doing maintence and then mine clearance. Most young mechanics don't know what a condenser is or a distributor. And diver look blank when you mention dry suits with no zips or vents or ring neck seals, they even ask how do you get into it. Kind regards From UK

Fantastic explanation, as always Alec!! Thank you so much! Can you inform me what the function is of the spring? Am I correct to assume that the spring will keep the piston open longer, untill a higher pressure in the intermediaire chamber is acchieved? Is this to prevent the piston from osculating and ratling? Thank you in advance for your reply!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

You're right on Jamie. That spring actually serves several purposes. While technically a piston reg will work without a spring you wouldn't like the breathing. Alec

@jamieblankert5088

4 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thank you for your kind reply!! This makes a lot of sense. I have started a company called AirExtender which is based in Holland, where we are developing a new breathing system that will save many lives. And I would very much like to get into contact with you, to see what your opinion is on the mechanism and the overall product. We are currently finishing the mechanism and design. If you like, you can contact me at Jamie@airextender.com . I hope to hear from you and I wish you a fantastic day!! Greetings Jamie

under surface topics are welcome. Cool.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Welcome. Welcome. Alec

Thank you, do you have an explanation of the healthways stage2 regulators?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

In my head i do but all my Healthways service manuals, tools and parts have been sold. Search through my Vintage Scuba playlist for Healthways as I have done several videos on this great reg set. Look for episodes S03E06, S08E12, S06E11 to start. A.

hello . your videos are incredible. where would be a good source for parts for dacor regulators specifically diaphragms? thank you

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul. Watch Vintage Scuba video S07E09 where I restored a Dacor Pacer 900 and the problems with parts. There are Dacor parts to be found but you still need an experienced service person to make it safe to dive and test it. Alec

Great one as always, i had experienced the oscillation related noise, how do you get ride of it (annual service did not solve it)? does it mean that the piston has worn out? or maybe some of the O rings where not replaced or greased properly?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Nope. Even brand new regulators will whistle. I made some suggestions on another comment in this topic. Check that out for some ideas. Good luck. Alec

What a wonderful explanation! Now I think I understand how it works. But, Alec, if the tank pressure goes down due to the air consumption, then the intermediate pressure also goes down? According to the simple physics, i think it must be. Then, how does the lowered intermediate pressure affect to the inhale pressure? I imagine that the lower intermediate pressure the more difficult to inhale, however, in the real world, I've never felt like that when diving unless the tank pressure gets to an exetremely low level.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Remember it is always 150psi (generally) above ambient so if your shallow at 33' even with a tank at 500 psi, breathing effort should change very little. Some folks think they feel a difference because they know there is some slight change. As for me, never noticed it.

@TheSarigomtang

4 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Alec, thanks for the prompt comments. Sorry but what I couldn't understand was that how it maintains (about) 150 psi constant regardless of the tank pressure. The ratio of the top piston surface to size of the hole in which tank air comes would always be unchanged, 20:1. Then, shouldn't the intermediate pressure go down proportionally if the tank pressure decreases?

uw stuff are awsome. Cool.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Underwater = awesome!!

Thanks

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome

I understood the basic concept of the piston regulator, but this is a very good lesson to give me a much better understanding. I think the design is brilliant. My hat's off to the inventor or team that came up with it. Thank you Alec for the information, and Kevin for the great graphics integration in the video. Videos like this really could/should be used in diver training classes. I can't speak for anyone but me, but if I understand how something works, I am much more comfortable using it.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

I am the same way. Knowing how something works makes it more enjoyable to use it and it can save you a lot of aggravation and expense too. Alec

Awesome! Love this level of tech :) Without spoiling to the others I'm pretty sure I can figure out how to get the ambient pressure figured out :) When you said the spring is not needed I started to believe you ment it was only there to hold the piston in position, but there is more to it right? Im still engineering it in my head right now but I suspect it has something to do with keeping the low pressure at desired level, with half full tank, and when I.e using a 300bar bottle (sorry, I'm European ;) ) Once again keep it up, love your videos, esp the ones at this depth

@nilotubes

5 жыл бұрын

And also, thanks for pointing out the noise, my last OWD dive i got another reg and it made this noise just as I started descending and I was almost ready to give up dive and my instructor couldn't explain why it was like that, he just convinced me that it's working fine and they do sound a bit different sometimes :)

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to see that I got you thinking and you are definitely on the right track. Without the spring the air supply would be suddenly cut off when the pressure dropped. I wrote about this is another comment. See if you can find it. Take care Niklas. Alec

Hi Alec, thanks, great video! I can definitely hear my regulator oscillating when I breath on it, it makes a hell of a noise, sometimes it's driving me nuts! haha. Any tips on how to get rid of that noise? It's a Scubapro MK10, a service done by my dive store didn't help...

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

There are several ways, some by the book, some not so much. If your LDS had tried and can't seem to help (which is not surprising; some regs simply insist on making noise), suggest that they use a thin plastic spacer under the piston spring. One under each end should work. If that doesn't work they can replace the spring. As a last resort, and one NOT to be recommended, have them put the spring into a vise and using a triangular file, score across each end heavily. If that doesn't work, join a band! Take care. Alec

@oconnor4132

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'll recommend that to them next time. In the meantime I'll think about what the name of the band is going to be! haha Take care

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

The Deep 3. Maybe The Wet Wonders. How about Free Finners. I can do this forever you know. Alec

First!! stage... get it? (now having watched it, brilliantly explained very nice video)

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks LM. Glad you enjoyed it. Alec

This is also how an irrigation sprinkler valve stays closed.. slightly more square inches on the top than on the bottom of the diaphragm/piston.. pressure released off the top with a solenoid allows water to flow ;)

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

That's good to know. Thanks Robert.

nice video that leads me the next question… how do i get rid of this annoying whistle when i breathe in?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Try to avoid breathing in! Kidding Cyl. I talked about this is another comment. Please try to find that to save me tying it all again. Thanks. Alec

no new video this week ? I start each day looking for a new one.... and get sad when I don't get my daily fix :) guess should be using the notification so I don't get my hopes up. Keep them coming.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

There ought to be one every week, It's pre-programmed. You may have missed it. Kev and I work awfully hard to keep you entertained. Alec

@alaind831

5 жыл бұрын

I know you guys do. I still owe you a kayak diving video... most weeks we get a tech and vintage, but sometime none come out like this week and 2 weeks ago. I hope you guys get a little something back - not as many viewers as those stupid cat videos, but man they are useful!

@KevinSmith-hc4pc

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Alain. We have moved from weekly to every 2 weeks as this is our 'slow down and rest' period. Tech Tips will be one every two weeks until mid-April. Vintage will be every 2 weeks for a while until series 6 ends after 3 more. Then we have a Sea Hunt Remembered series until mid-April. Going bi-weekly over winter gives both of us a rest and catchup on home projects. We will still have interesting and educational material to share, just not as frequently for a while. Thanks for watching. Kevin.

Thanks Alec!, a great video as always. I have recently had an issue with my Scubapro MK25 first stage that may be related with the piston. After noticing a leak on my safe second during a dive I took it to my lds where they found the intermediate pressure well over 200 psi. They took it for service but I don’t understand how it could fail like this, given the areas of both sides of the piston cannot change. Is it possible that it could be malfunctioning from the factory, and only took some dives for the seat in my safe second to wear out?? I don’t like at all the feeling that a supposedly workhorse first stage can fail so quietly. Thank you!!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

The MK25 is probably the most popular regulator Scubapro ever made, and it's solid too. It has had several updates though so, depending on the age of yours, be sure all the updates have been made. The piston O-Rings were changed more than once because there seemed to be a problem with them failing. That would cause a jump in the intermediate pressure. However, if the piston O-Rings are good and the HP seat is good, there's no reason to be concerned about your MK25. One small suggestion is to have them slightly reduce the sensitivity of your safe second. If the intermediate pressure does rise, it ought to be evident first in your primary. It should be the most sensitive to pressure changes. Have them check that, reduce the sensitivity of the Safe Second and it is less likely to freeflow too. Take care. Alec

@osvaldorichards9905

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Is it possible to use the cream used in oring for the regualtor

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Only food grade silicon grease should be used. If the system will be used for NITROX, it should be an O2-compatible lubricant. Now this applies to anything that will be in contact with the air you will be breathing. On other scuba items you can use whatever is available - Vaseline, WD-40, rubber preservative, etc. Alec

Alec, is there any way for an average Diver to get a maintenance qualification on any perticular companies regulator, or do you have to work for a Dive shop? And is the price worth it in the long run?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

If you want to service your own gear, you need to suck up to a dive store owner who will sponsor you at a Factory Technical Course on scuba service. It's a wonderful learning experience. Is it worth it? You will need special tools, special test instruments and a source of factory parts as well. It's not just enough to have the training. For understanding your gear and taking care of it, the training is excellent. For annual service, take it to the store. Alec

Great explanation, but what happens when the tank pressure is 1000 psi. Does the 2nd stage get 50 psi or the spring change the game. I assume we are looking at an unbalanced design 1st stage.

@panditreuvers

5 жыл бұрын

I have the same question . The presure from the tank can varies from 150 till 4500 psi. But the presure to the second stage stays 150 psi. I think Alec will explain this later 😊

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

You're right guys. The spring (that you don't need) only becomes useful when the pressure drops. Then the spring holds the piston up (open) so air will continue to flow even if the incoming air is at low pressure. Realize that the same hydraulic principle applies at all pressures so, for example, if the incoming air is at 500 psi, the upward force on the small end of the piston is only 100 pounds (1/20th of 500). Thus the piston would move down (close) if the intermediate pressure on the big end reached 100 psi. The spring makes it stay up so the pressure climbs to 150, or as close as possible, and you still get air. But, it does get progressively harder to suck that air out as the pressure drops much lower. And that's what you want - a slow increase in the effort until you are out - not a sudden shutdown. Take care. Alec

underwater things rule. Cool.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah! We rule!! Alec

Top 😃👍👍👍

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

Super!

Hi Alex I think the seat is not made of silicone. It is made of much harder material. Also, PSI means pounds per square inch.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

You're quite right. The HP seat was often made of special materials. There have been many attempts over the years to find the perfect material - with limited success. Everything seems to break down in some way. The LP seat in the 2nd stage was traditionally rubber or neoprene. I think most are silicon now. Thanks. Alec

@sparkyobrian6417

5 жыл бұрын

alot of my replacement factory seats are now some form of silicone interestingly enough, personally I would have thought some form of viton etc, but no.

Hey Alec I hope u r in well state. My instructor told me that in a depth Diaphrame is working better then piston tech. And he told me that in higher depth presure might effect on the spring of piston based first stage and it might get stucked and not suitable to dive belpw 20 meters. I think they want to sell costly 01st stage instead. I have Oceanic Alpha 09 piston based octopus and i already used in 40 m and not was not feeling any deficiency in breth ot was working smooth and best for the depth upto 60 meter and compatible with nitrox 40 % according to manufacturer instrucrions. How could u elaborate this thing. Thanks if you can response me for this post.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

It's partial true but a full tank at 40m and with venturi assist, a human should not notice a difference is both are Balanced regulators. See S09E10 "Balanced vs Unbalanced regulators" and S07E01 "Piston vs Digphragm 1st stage". These will give you the facts around the differences and if your dive profiles can benefit from one vs the other. Think of cars. There are 100's of different types. If one really, really was the best, there would only be 1 model right? Thanks for watching. LoVe. Alec

Hi Alec, love your videos but in this case I have some issues with some information given, first the piston regulator I learned it has more critical parts in contact with water (salt water, corrosive) than a diaphragm regulator, a piston regulator that you forgot to say that the ambient pressure also is in the equation, the water is entering the first stage an in contact with the only moving part, yes, the piston itself; and that piston gets corroded and the o ring that seals around it can be damage because the piston is goin up and down thought it, in a diaphragm regulator we have more moving parts, yes, but not in contact with water, in contact with water in a diaphragm regulator we have the spring, and the diaphragm if self made of rubber, the rest is sealed and it need less maintenance than a piston regulator. I know in a short video is difficult to explain everything but there was important info not mentioned

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

Your analysis is quite correct. Allow me to add a couple of points. While quite right about the exposure of the piston & its O-Ring to sea water, IF the diver properly cleans the reg after every use, this will not be an issue. Plus, since the piston has but 1 moving part, a part that is quite robust, it's much less likely to suffer failure. Often these debates about the relative value of piston vs diaphragm amount to personal preference, which is fine, but might impede objective analysis. The facts are, diaphragm regs are great; piston regs perform equally well, but are simpler so cheaper to buy & purchase. It's really a matter of what is important to you. Take care. Thanks. Alec

Sir please explain diaphragm regulator work

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Best to watch these videos to learn more: S07E01 Piston vs Diaphragm 1st stages, S07E20 Regulator Service, Adjust the IP. These will answer most questions.

Alec, brilliant explanation as usual!!! Have you discussed the differences in equipment used for air and enriched air? I know you talked once or twice briefly about it and that there are differences in the o-ring material and the lubricants and service but, is that all? Is there a way to have a regulator (1st, 2nd and safe 2nd) rigged for dual purpose? I have seen all your tech tips and I can't remember if you have got in deep on this subject. If not, perhaps it is a good forthcoming tech tip. Traveling with a dual set of regs for an occasional diver (and I am very occasional) sounds rather pretentious. And to be honest, I am weighing if my next step should be Rescue Diver or the enriched air certifications (will do both eventually but money and time are not limitless I am afraid...). Thank you very much indeed for all the (invaluable) info you share with us so generously! Cheers!

@alaind831

5 жыл бұрын

all regulators (first, second, computers, gauge) will handle 40% nitrox without any changes (most will list that on the packaging). The ONLY thing you have to worry is if you own your own tank AND go to a dive shop that does pure O2 partial fills (add air after to get desired %) instead of pre-mix Nitrox (what most boats do with membranes, or shop that pre-mix it for your in their tanks - typically 32%). Tank that are pure O2 clean require special oring and cleaning valve/tank and are marked as such (viz sticker). Some place will require you to have nitrox sticker and a dedicated tank (makes it less likely someone grabs them and assume air), but not all, and again tank unless O2 clean can be any tanks just slapping the Nitrox green/yellow sticker (US)

@alaind831

5 жыл бұрын

as for class depends on what you do/dive, but Nitrox is rather simple (all classroom, can study alone) and inexpensive and if you plan on doing 3-6 dives a day, or multiple days on boats it's pretty much necessary to use Nitrox with limited surface time and longer no-deco times underwater as well. I think padi makes it a separate class (and tiny 12 page separate book instead of being in the regular or advance book) to make more $$$

@guillermopelaez5859

5 жыл бұрын

@@alaind831 Thanks a lot Alain for the detailed reply... that is exactly what I needed to understand. Planning on the 32% O2 only so my current set of reg should work (I don't own my own tanks, and not planning to in the short term). Thanks again!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

We just made a video on basic Nitrox and will have some more coming. Alain's information is 100%. You do NOT need to have a special reg or special cleaning of a reg to use 32% nitrox (contrary to what some manufacturers and stores will say!). Take care. Alec

@guillermopelaez5859

5 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thank Alec for your response. Waiting for more great Tech Tips :)

Just got one doubt. Between upper and bottom chamber there is another chamber in the middle that is filled by water with ambiente pressure. Does this ambient pressure has any influence on these forces 3000psi, 150psi ? Looks like ambient pressure is helping the spring. This is not clear to me yet. I appreciate if you could explain.

@johngist9248

2 жыл бұрын

The ambient pressure assists the spring and raises the absolute pressure of the intermediate chamber, the 150 PSI section, as you dive deeper. The gauge pressure of 150 PSI will remain constant however. The gauge pressure is the absolute pressure of a container minus the ambient pressure outside of the container, in other words it is the pressure an attached pressure gauge would read. If the spring chamber wasn't exposed to ambient pressure, the intermediate gauge pressure would drop as you dive and the second stage would become harder to breath from.

@rodrigoabrahao1721

2 жыл бұрын

@@johngist9248 Gotcha. Thanks much for explanation 😉👌🏻

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

What John Gist said is right. A.

What are the failure rates for each type?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

When I serviced regs at my store I don't recall any total failures (ie 1st stage internal breakage during a dive, not a freeze-up). Some were in very poor condition: worn o-rings causing air leakage and whinning, filters clogged, internal wear etc. In a few extreme cases the 1st stage could not be serviced due to excessive internal wear cause by NO maintenance for years and no cleaning.

Alec I notice the magnahelic gauge in background. I own one of those what do you use it for?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

It has many uses but the main purpose in a dive store is to measure the inhalation and exhalation pressure. A few modern regulators actually have specifications for inhalation pressure in their service procedures. Alec

@ChadManCreations

5 жыл бұрын

Alec Peirce Scuba Thank you sir. I love your videos. I’m in California and just passed my open water. I had my dives in Monetary Bay. Kelp forest was excellent very fun and safe time. My dive center is Dolphin Scuba. Are u familiar with them?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Not with Dolphin but I know your area. Beautiful diving there - lots of marine life. Have you learned about kelp yet? Did you know that it can grow more than 2' a day!! You can almost watch it get longer! Have you seen a Wolf Eel yet? Talk about an ugly mother-in-law!!!! Octopuses? Been bumped by a sea lion? You have so much to look forward to. Have fun. Alec

But how does the high pressure gauge works in the 1st stage?

@leonidasperez

4 жыл бұрын

pressure gauge is connected in the high pressure (HP) section of the 1st stage (bottom part in the cut-out piece in the video). Therefore, it measures the pressure in the tank and is not affected by the instant breath oscillation. The hoses connected to the low pressure (LP) cause the movement of the piston, such as regulator, octopus and BCD hoses. Hope this answer your question.

What would happen if the tank pressure drops from 3000 to 2000? Then when the IP reaches 100PSI the valve is being closed? And what if there is below 300PSI in the tank? The IP is not going to be much less than 150PSI(atmosphere pressure), So the 300PSI in the tank is never going to have enough force to go against the down force from the atmosphere, right?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Right! Once tank pressure drops below 200 psi or so, it gets increasingly hard to breathe. If you suck on the reg you will get a bit more but only because you are creating a partial vacuum in the hose. That overrides the spring. A balanced regulator is not affected much by the tank pressure - one of the advantages of a balanced model. So, within reason, tank pressure at 3000 or 300 psi doesn't make much difference. Notice I said much. Factory recommendation is a drop of not more than 15 psi. Alec

uw topics rule. Cool.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Scuba is king. It rules! Alec

Does this mean that if the pressure in my tank is at 500psi that I can only get 500/20=25psi to my second stage!?! which is less than 2 atmospheres. Meaning...I'd better be shallower than 33ft when my tank reaches 500psi.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Perhaps you've noticed that when your pressure gauge reads zero (0 psi) with the reg off, air still comes out of the valve. So you're sort of on the right track. At the end of the dive, there is air in your tank but you may not be able to access it through the reg. Alec

Can i order to you the titan kit.and how much

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, don't have any kits, all sold on my eBay store. A

One clarification: "PSI" doesn't mean "Per Square Inch," it means "Pounds per Square Inch." I suppose it should be "PpSI," but that's just the way abbreviations work. (Also, PSI can be further specified as PSIA (pounds per square inch, absolute) and PSIG (pounds per square inch, gauge.)

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

Perfectly correct Brian. Please understand that this video, and other ones similar, are specifically made for non-technical people. I can just see the delete button going crazy as I try to explain Absolute and Gauge. Thanks again for your input Bian. Alec

@LMSILVIA

5 жыл бұрын

It seems to me if they had put the p for "per" it could confuse the reader like in Kmh if you put p would read "kmph"

@seikibrian8641

5 жыл бұрын

@@LMSILVIA -- The "official" abbreviation of kilometres per hour is km/h, with the slash representing "per."

Waiting patiently for the diaphragm 1st stage video. Bet you cant draw all those parts.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

A challenge?? I've been drawing and teaching this stuff for almost 50 years. I'll let you know if I need help. Certainly you are right that a diaphragm reg has more parts but, it is also easier to explain and to understand. I have 2 channels and 4 playlists with videos coming out weekly. Sorry, but you will have to be patient. Take care. Alec

Great example of when wife starts talking switch to your second safe and dive deeper jk love u Alec

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

They don't make hoses long enough Jared!!!!!! Alec

Norbert Pietkiewicz - pozdrawiam Polaka

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Mówi cześć z powrotem.

Please note that regulator failures resulting in death, had nothing to do with either the piston or the diaphragm mechanisms: they were caused by leaks! In 14% of scuba deaths there was a regulator fault reported, and in 1% the regulator was misused. Subsequent testing of the regulators showed that most of the problems were caused by leaks resulting in inhalation of salt water, but in some cases there was excessive breathing resistance following a mechanical dysfunction. In a few cases the regulator failed catastrophically, or the hose burst. The difficulty of breathing from the regulator was often aggravated by other factors such as panic, exhaustion or badly adjusted buoyancy. From: Edmonds, Carl; Thomas, Bob; McKenzie, Bart; Pennefather, John (2015). "Why divers die", Diving Medicine for Scuba Divers. pp. Chapter 34.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Don't know where you obtained these numbers but check DAN's report on diving injuries for published facts. In some cases they attribute the root cause to 1st or 2nd stage failures. Regular service with proper post dive cleaning and storage minimize any problems.

@joewrosenthal00

3 жыл бұрын

Data from: Edmonds, Carl; Thomas, Bob; McKenzie, Bart; Pennefather, John (2015). "Why divers die" (PDF). Diving Medicine for Scuba Divers. pp. Chapter 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016. Fatality rates of 16.4 deaths per 100,000 persons per year among DAN America members and 14.4 deaths per 100,000 persons per year the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) members were similar.

End conclusion to it all people is this! Just keep it simple and don't over think it k. Just like a vintage twin hose regulator! 🤔😙😀

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

5 жыл бұрын

True. It really is simple but can be 'thought to death'!!Take care. Alec

I am still confused by your diagram, not being technically minded. E.g. in your diagram the air leaves the first chamber to the second stage at 150 psi, but why does the air not leave the chamber at 3000 psi ? Secondly, where is the spring. ? My suggestion is that you should animate the diagram, preferably in slow motion, so that the viewer can see the parts moving. If too expensive, just have a few diagrams at different stages of the process.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

I looked into animation with Kevin but we don't have the time or skills to do it. Try Google as I'm sure there are some animated processes to explain the movement of HP air through the 1st stage to an intermediate pressure that will make it clear Ronald.

Kewl.. very simple design + very few parts = very reliable regulator.. lol.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Pretty much!

@hearsejr

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I been diving since '87.. got my commercial cert in '89, I have never even noticed my first stage. Heck, I still don't know how to tell the difference without taking them apart. Lol.

Sorry Alec, possibly one of the worst explanations of how a piston reg works. By focussing on the piston ratio of 20:1, you make it appear that the intermediate pressure is linear. Ok you get 150psi when the tank is full at 3000 psi in your example, but the IP would drop to 100psi when the tank fell to 2000psi. The IP is 150psi because this balances the force exerted on the piston by the spring (plus ambient pressure), which you don't really mention. Yes, the piston has to be that shape so the IP can exert enough force to close the HP port against a pressure up to 3000psi but the ratio of the piston isn't how the regulation of the IP works.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

Well Tony, please appreciate that 99% or more of my viewers are neither pneumatic engineers nor scuba regulator experts. If I presented all of the many, many factors that influence the performance of a scuba regulator in my videos, i would NOT have 40,000 subscribers. You are accurate in most of your statements. There are other considerations as well but my point is that few KZread viewers are looking for such a detailed explanation. They want to understand how a piston regulator works (my simple description of that is accurate), what the advantages & disadvantages of a piston regulator are (my description of those is accurate) and possibly how to maintain their piston regulator (my description of that is accurate). Despite your obvious high level of understanding of the dynamics of regulators, I must cater to the needs and the level of expertise of my viewers. I certainly appreciate your comments and enjoyed reading the information you have supplied but, considering the intent of the video, it hardly seems fair to call it " the worst". Others may and have disagreed. I have read, written & published manuals for regulator experts in my 50+ years of scuba service. But they & the information therein do NOT belong here. All of that information is available online, although probably NOT on KZread. Thank you for watching Tony.

@tonymatthews2768

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Hi Alec, thanks the response. Fully understood. I don't think my choice of words was very good. Sorry for any offence caused. My impression from watching was that a disadvantage of a piston regulator might be poor IP regulation, but you've confirmed that isn't the case. I've watched and enjoyed a number of your videos. Thanks for the work do.