Dust Caps - Scuba Tech Tips: S05E03
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Dust caps should keep water out of the first stage yet some hold up to a spoon full of damaging water. Alec offers practical solutions and replacement ideas for yoke and DIN dust caps to prevent an unscheduled first stage service.
**** Alec Peirce Scuba ****
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Wow! Thank everybody for your kind wishes on my retirement.
I'm keeping really busy still - Sea Hunt Event in Florida in March, South Africa Great Whites in the fall plus riding the snowmobile at the ranch, riding our horses and bikes this summer, visiting friends from NYC to LA and keeping up with my U-Tube videos. So long as you enjoy them I'll keep making them.
Thanks again. Alec
Alec Peirce Scuba Nice job, Alec. I really enjoy your videos and your good spirit. Just like us brazilians like to say: your enthusiasm is contegious. Thanks for sharing the knowledge with us. Greetings from the south!
Thanks for your tips. 66 years old, retired 5 years and a new diver. I love being retired but I keep busy and travel a lot. Keeps them coming.
Congrats on retirement! I've loved all your video series you've done. As long as you're still having fun we'll still be watching and learning!
This man is the most knowledgeable scuba person on CZcams! He makes a 17 minute video on Dust Caps!!!! DUST CAPS
I try to keep them short! However getting all the information out is more important than the length. Some watch a little and learn a little, others watch me rant to the end and become almost a wizard of scuba. Thanks wizard Spencer.
Wow, I didn't think there would enough to talk about for a 17 minute video about dust caps, but sure enough, there is! Very interesting and informative. I learned to clean my dust cap the old way by blowing it with air from the tank. These ideas seem to make so much more sense to me. I will definitely use these tips in the future. Thanks for doing them.
I'm glad you found something helpful Rick.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Enjoy you retirement, keep up the great videos. Full of great wisdom and most enjoyable. Your enthusiasm has got me diving more now than I have in years..
Alec, congrats on your retirement! Glad to see you are continuing with the CZcams videos. Have you considered doing a video on dive watches? Even though our computers cover almost every aspect of diving, watches still make a statement, and can still be redundant to your computer, and I'm sure there is an interesting history attached to them. Thank you and Kevin for the informative and entertaining videos.
After watching this I had a closer look at my dust cap and thankfully I have the one piece solid construction. Great tips about maintaining your first stage and making sure that salt water stays out. Cheers, Q
Thanks for watching. Alec
Congrats on your retirement Alec, thank you for sharing your scuba knowledge!
Boy I'm glad I watched this before taking my new regulator on its first trip to the ocean. Thanks Alec!
I hope it helps Paul.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
I knew a little about dust caps but never knew there was so much to them. I recently learned about how first stages work as well so I can really appreciate the importance of such a simple piece of equipment - important enough that even they were used before SPGs became a thing!
Oh yeah! Dust caps (I hate that term - what dust?!!) have been around from Day 1.
Take care.
Alec
Thank you for another informative video. One thing I would like to mentin here about DIN tank cap. If you have a good seal and, by accident, the valve opens you'll have high pressure between the valve and cap. This might make it hard or even impossible to remove the cap. Therefore in some caps there is a plastic over pressure fuse. These caps are much safer than those metal ones without fuse.
Also, as mentioned earlier in these comments, the reg cap and tank cap is worth to screw together if not in place. Leave the those into your dive bag abd you have clean and dry caps when you come back.
Congrats on your retirement!
I plan to get certified soon and all these videos help bunches!
Thanks a ton!
~South Texas~
Congratulations on retirement! All your videos have been great, and the tech tips have been very useful.
Great to see you Alec.
Congrats again on Retirement from the shop. Great Tech tip. I to would like a tip on lube your dive lights.
Good idea Mike.
Thanks for the dust cap tips, I had no idea that I was doing it wrong. I'll do it your way from now on. My dive instructor (1987) actually taught us to blow the dust cap and filter out with the tank air. Recently, the guide in Roatan did it too.
Divers and even more so divemasters are a bit gregarious - a nice word that means outgoing which is polite for noisy!
I'm sure that using tank air to blow off things is partly showing off or drawing attention - like a kid throwing a temper tantrum.
Keep it simple, keep it quiet, do it right.
Thanks for watching Mojo.
Alec
Congratulations on your retirement. I'm glad you will keep up this excellent series! Great stuff.
Could you do a video on setting up a dive reel? Thanks
I love the 'ah ha' moments in your videos. Filing the cap with silicone is a great tip. So simple. Several liquid rubber products available now as well to fit the bill.
Thanks Matthew, remember to use only food grade silicone spray as this is part of your breathing device. NO WD40.
you should do a tech tip on lubing your lights/cameras. thank you for your work!
Use a little nozzle that attaches to the low pressure inflator hose to clean out the cap with the purge air left in your hoses. Costs 10 bucks at a dive shop and fits on the key ring.
Congratulation. I have watched every one of your Tech Tips and enjoy them.
Can you do a video on the differences between inexpensive gear and expensive gear (such as regulators and BCD's)? Thanks
Good idea. Sometimes the difference between a cheap (?) regulator and a not-so-cheap one is trim. Like a car - do you want/need a wood-grain dash and leather seats? Thanks for watching. Alec
Aqualung and Apeks still have good dust caps !! Alec thanks for keep teaching us so many good things !! I ve been diving for 7 years with my own gear and never even thought that the actual shape of the dust cap matters !
Yep! You can find good dust caps if you look around.
Scubapro had the best for many years - a hard rubber ball.
It can make a difference.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Hi, I am 65 years old (I know young man to you) and new to scuba, certification dive in a 53 deg lake last week end. Love your channel and want to encourage you to make more. If I ever know enough to ask a question, I certainly will.
Great Jim. Welcome aboard.
You have so much fun to look forward to.
Contact me anytime.
Alec
Great video! Could you do some videos about technical diving equipment or backplate and wing setups? Thanks!
would be nice since there arnet that much videos about it but there is the DIR Book little olde but still very good
could you do a video on starting a dive shop? your level of experience would be invaluable.
Another trick to have the dust cap dry is to simply not attach it to the regulator, and to keep it in your bag outside the water instead. That makes it a bit easier to lose of course if you're not careful. But dust caps are cheap, so you can just buy a second one for backup.
I personally by the way can never get my dust cap completely dry by blowing into it. I normally do use air from the tank, and just make sure that the opening of the regulator is facing away from the air flow (and always facing downwards! Otherwise a drop from the yoke clamp could get inside). Or of course if you put your thumb over it it won't be a problem anyway. I also mostly do shore diving, so blowing water onto other people around me isn't an issue...
THANK YOU! Cleaning the dustcap with the tank pressure is a HUGE pet-peeve of mine! Other reasons why you shouldn't use the tank pressure to dry your dustcap:
1) It can blow the o-ring off your valve.
2.) It can create condensation on the inside of the tank if run open too long.
3) If you accidentally press your skin against the open valve, it can cause a subcutaneous emphysema.
4) New divers often do it wrong and also try to blow off the 1st stage filter/intake which inevitably blows water inside the reg.
5) It causes me to have to run my compre$$or longer when refilling the tank!
6) It hurts my f*#@ing ears!
Right on Joe.
I particularly agree on #6.
Alec
Great videoooo it keeps me attentive not bored and so many details to such a small item yet it gets passes by or ignored love it!!!!
Thanks.
Some viewers complain about the details I share but that's the reason I do these - to fill in the gaps in a divers knowledge.
Most of this stuff isn't in any book!!
I appreciate your comment.
Alec
You had me going with talk about taking scissors and cutting off the bad dust cap. My laugh echoed in the house.
Sometimes a drastic mistake requires drastic action! Like cutting off those stupid dust caps with the big hole in them.
Take care Greg.
Alec
Hi Alec,
As a relatively new diver I love all the tips, one thing I have done is buy the aluminium dust caps (I use DIN), however I keep the original cap attached to the regs just as a back-up, the aluminium dust cap stays in the dive bag & never gets wet. This way I don't have to worry about about water or dust in the cap, I keep male & female screwed together when not in use to keep them clean & if I should happen to loose them the original is still on the regs. :)
That's a great tip Paul - keeping your DIN connectors together while diving!
That will certainly ensure that no water gets into them.
Thanks.
Alec
Be very very, very careful with plastic threaded dust caps for the tank. A few months ago, a fellow using one of these caps inadvertently open the tank and... bang. The dust cap just exploded in pieces and rip him a finger apart. I don't know the strength of a metal dust cap, but I can imagine that it could be even more catastrophic. I trashed immediately one I was using and returned to good old paper tape. I rather want a dirty thread and miss a dive because of a leak, than to lose a finger or an eye. Again... be very careful with plastic dust caps in the tank.
even better tipp don't even take your dust cap with you under water so it can't get wet
with my din caps i always screw the valve cap into the regulator cap and put them into my regulator pouch
great video, Alec. Best wishes on your retirement.
You officially became my virtual dive instructor/advisor.... Btw, congrats for your retirement
Hi Alec
Thanks for all the informative videos !
One thing I have noticed on the Aluminium dust caps is that over time the threads can develop white aluminium oxide. Perhaps due to electrolysis between the different metals and some salt.
I got rid of my aluminium caps and went back to Delrin. Plastic, but no white powder build up.
Yep! You're right.
Divers don't think about rinsing and lubricating their dust caps - metal or Delrin.
I'm a big fan of Delrin.
That white dust is aluminum oxide. It's used in sunscreens and other cosmetic products.
It forms by exposure to air which is hard to avoid.
Alec
Hi. Love your tips. Any chance you could show how to replace/fit a bcd/wing power inflator assembly? Thanks in advance
When I started diving in the mid 70's the dust caps on our US Divers, Scubapro, Dacor regulators had dust caps with an O-ring to seal it. That O-ring came in handy as a spare when the O-ring on our tanks was damaged....
That was the old, reliable cone-shaped cap. The O-Ring inside was handy if it wasn't too old. Otherwise, it became badly dried out and cracked.
I think at one time every regulator made came with it.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter are those still available?
Hey Alec, can you go over the importance of greasing o-rings and how to lube them properly? Thanks! You're the man!
We just did that Joey.
I'm not sure if it's out yet but if not it will be soon.
Alec
Thanks! i appreciate it.
And to think I took these things for granted before today.
Mr Alec Peirce, my wife is interested in learning how to scuba diving but she does a lot on her left side and most of the gear on that side. Are there scuba gear that have the same hook up but be on the right side or can we modified the gear? Also flipping the 2nd stage regulator from the right to the left? I done some research but with little to no luck, please help. Thank you very much.
As a new diver, I love your videos and it has help me a lot to get a better understanding of what I want with my gear and how to take care of them.
Perhaps someone else has suggested this, but I carry a spare dust cap in a plastic bag. After a dive I attach the clean DRY dust cap from the bag. Cheap...easy & DRY!
That's a bit of a nuisance. I'm not sure how many divers are that fastidious but it would certainly solve the 'wet dust cap' problem.
Thanks for watching. Alec
I choose to not bring my DIN regulator dust caps underwater and leave them on the surface when diving. Attaching them to your regulator with a string and bringing them underwater will just get the inside wet and when you dry it, it will then have salt particles that will get into your regulator when you place it on there.
Good idea David. So long as you don't forget to put it on as soon as you remove your reg.
Alec
Alec, here I am watching a 3 year old video and learning more stuff. Great work and I really enjoy the vintage ones. Question about this video, maybe I missed it. I have two tanks with DIN/Yoke conversion valves. Is there a good cover for a Yoke cylinder valve (not like the plastic hoods you talked about) - is there a good cover that would seal a Yoke cylinder valve? I'm guessing it would need to be something like a yoke itself. Apologies if I missed it in your video. Cheers, Mike
For normal uses, the plastic hood covers work fine to keep sand out of the oriface and sun off the O-ring. Are you diving an extreme location/environement and need specialized protection? Off hand I don't know of a specialized cover/protector.
Alec
Hey alec! Do you think you can literally just cut off the dust cap string that is connected to the yoke and don't even bring the dust cap on the dive with you? just keep it on the dive boat, after the dive, put the dust cap back on( it shouldn't fall off anyway). therefore, there won't be any seawater and sand in it.
Sure. There's no reason to carry the dust cap underwater. It's just tied to the reg to keep it handy.
If you can remember to put the clean dry one in place as soon as you take your reg off, good idea.
Alec
Can you screw the DIN regulator dust cap into the DIN valve dust cap to keep the water out of both dust caps while you are diving? Then when you open them up on the boat they will both be dry.
Why didn't I think of that! Of course you can Chad and that's a great idea.
I suppose I must admit (reluctantly) that this is another small plus for DIN.
Don't jam them on though! Might be hard to take apart. There should be an O-ring on the male threaded cap - the one that goes into the valve. Just screw them together until that O-ring touches the end of the female cap snugly but not too tight.
I think I'd still be checking after the dive just to be sure it's dry. 1 drop of seawater is bad - might as well be a drop of acid!
Alec
Congratulations for you retirement, thank you for all these videos and I was Navy trained (in the '70s)! - I just viewed this one only to realize that you had sold out your store. Do you visit your store from time to time. You have outstanding credibility and I was planning visiting your store this Summer from Trois-Rivieres, QC to update my equipment, is there any time when you give dive clinics at Scuba 2000, I am your age and prefer "old experienced timers". Ciao, L
Gosh L, while I really appreciate your comments and agree with the "old, experienced is better than young, enthusiastic", I personally am seldom in the store anymore. Diana and I keep very busy with these videos plus our life on the Ranch which is a full-time job - horses, hay, machinery, hunting, logging, etc, etc. Check out my other CZcams channel 'Alec Peirce At the Ranch'.
However, if you are in Toronto, stop into Scuba 2000. It's a great, unique scuba facility and the staff will do their best to make you happy. Guy, the service manager, has over 40 years of scuba experience so he ought to satisfy your 'old guy' cravings.
Take care.
Alec
Hi Alec, what a strange coincidence, I retired from my 28-year Navy career on the family dairy farm I grew up on - my brother has the operation. We share the land and I mostly handle the machinery/implements and care for the small animals. We have a dammed lake and a vintage water mill that I am servicing underwater (foundations) courtesy of your video instructions. Do you live far from Toronto? I will need to go to Toronto and update my equipment and your advice or Guy's (my real name actually is Guy with a Quebec pronunciation of course). I do hope to have the honor of meeting you and perhaps sharing favorite episodes of SeaHunt (yes, I am that old)! Ciao, L
I hope you've seen my other channel - Alec Peirce At The Ranch. Maybe there's some ideas in there for your farm too.
I'm about 1 hour north of Toronto and I always welcome visitors.
Take care Guy (that's Gee of course!)
Alec
Hi, I am working my way through your tech tips videos presently so If you cover it later I apologise but could you cover the pros and cons of din vs yolk regulator. I am looking to make a purchase soon to take on holiday soon so this would help me out. Cheers.
Ahh, the eternal battle about nothing. I did a video S04E014 on DIN regs and converters but not specifically on the pros/cons. Basically DIN is required, not optional, if tank pressure is above 3,500 psi, otherwise yokes can be used under 3,500 psi. Thats the only factual difference. Many divers argue Europe vs North America but i never us 'better' as other than tank pressure, everything else is preference or availability of parts/service.
Hope this helps and thank for watching.
Alec
Congratulations on your retirement Alec!
I wonder if you accidentally open a tank valve while it has a cup screwed in. Definitely will make an interesting afternoon 😂😂
Probably just a hissing as DIN screw in dust caps are made to keep water out not hold 3000 psi back. Should make some noise.
A
Hi Alec, I've just discovered your vids/channel a couple of months ago and have found them both interesting and informative. Big thanks, keep up the good work. But a have a silly question, how come you as a Canadian talk about ft and psi and not meters and bar?
Cheers Thomas
I'm an old Canadian!
Rather than trying to justify my old way of thinking, answer this for me:
1. when inquiring about a car's gas economy, why do we call it mileage instead of kilometerage?
2. at the lumber store, why do you by 2 by 4's for framing? And specify the length as 8'? Or 4 by 8's for plywood sheeting?
3. why do they sell cloth material that is 54" wide?
4. why are tape measures always 10, 12 or 16 feet long?
5. why do the Canadian railways, CNR and CPR, measure their tracks in miles and train speed limits in MPH?
6. and most important of all, why do they pack beer in 6's, 12's or 24's instead of 10', 20's or 30's???
If you didn't know, Canada used the Imperial system from it's founding in 1867 right up to 1977 (approximately, since the process to change took several years). That's 110 years. And a bit of trivia, contrary to popular belief, the US also uses the Imperial system, so-called because it's based on England's Royal Measures. They might not like that fact, but it's a fact.
So, an aluminum tank contains roughly 80 cubic feet of air at a pressure of 3000 pounds per square inch - NOT 12 liters at 211 kilograms per square centimeter. And I'm glad. You can change that when I'm gone.
Whew!
Take care.
Alec
Alex, thank you. Do you suggest any dust cap manufactures that have some of your favorite yolk dust caps? Could you offer a suggestion or two?
Alan, can you do a video in how first stage regulators work and common problems you see?
I sure can Chad. I have diagrams that show pretty clearly what happens inside and I can enhance those with my inimitable dialogue LOL.
Watching Kevin? Please add this to the list. I can do standard and balanced and piston and diaphragm. Each needs its own vid.
Thanks Chad. Alec
your my idol
Careful. I may have to charge you to read my stuff! I think that's what idols do isn't it?
Thanks.
Alec
the reason the "new" dustcaps have that cavity in them is simple
the cavity fits over the unthreaded tip of the DIN fitting
(they only need one dustcap for DIN and Yoke (saves some pennys in manufacturing and logistics)
I have a DIN regulator from a company with a big S on it that came with the exact same conical cap you showed
Robadex And it is s••t
Geat series! I've been working my way through them. Although, I have noticed you may have ventured into the arena of product placement with this video, with the chicago mix there. Hope your getting a large fee from this!
I don't recall shooting an episode in Chicago!
Kevin????
Thanks Leonard.
Alec
Hi Leonard.
Can we get a little more context around your comment of product placement? If you want to set Alec off, mention dust caps that hold water.
Had to Google "Chicago Mix", a combo of caramel corn and cheese popcorn. Sounds good, not seen it in Canada.
In the video look on top of the tool box. There is a new unopened bag of snack mix, placed there very prominently. I am sure someone was just hungry and set it there not thinking but it looks like a product placement. Google 'product placement' for a full definition. Keep up the great work!
HA HA, you noticed that! 2,925 views and your the first to comment. That was the Service Manager snack chips. I put it there so he could not get it until we finished shooting. He didn't share them so I don't know what they taste like...
Some of the fun we have when setting up the tech bench for a shoot. Notice the licence plate in other videos?
Good eye Leonard.
Yeah but we have poutine!!
Excellent video Alec, thanks! Quick question- how can you actually know whether your DIN dust cap is sealing the first stage well? For example, I bought a new apeks DS4 regulator which comes with a dust cap from the factory.. can I trust it as much as I can trust my thumb?
No. You can trust your thumb more. But, you can't go around with your reg on your thumb all the time so, install the cap and then suck as hard as possible on the 2nd stage.
You should NOT be able to hear or get any air through the mouthpiece. If you do, the cap is leaking.
Get one of the metal or hard plastic screw-on ones.
Alec
Thank you for this excellent tip Alec. I bought a dust cap with a flat bottom, like the one in the video. Then I realized I don't know how to attach it to the first stage so I don't lose it. The standard one is built in. Any suggestions?
The older ones used to be fastened with a short, strong cord. See if there isn't a hole in the side of the dust cap and simply put a 6" cord (heavy nylon fishing cord works) through the hole and tie the cap to the yoke. The built-in ones often break and it's a nuisance to replace them. Some have to go back to the dealer to be replaced ??????? I don't want to say that scuba manufacturers are stupid but some of their ideas are! Usually in the interest of style. Whatever happened to 'function over style'?
Hope this helps. Good luck. Alec
Great presentation. Question though, when using a metal or Delron plastic valve cover, what happens to the airflow if the din valve is accidentally opened releasing pressure into the sealed din with the din dust cover in place?
I suppose you'd have to buy a new valve cover.
I think that's the case for yoke or DIN. If you forget to remove the valve cover and open the valve, the air will certainly at least dislodge if not damage the cover.
Alec
Do not use the metal DIN dust caps, certainly not on the regulator.
I did this recently and left the regulator, untouched, for about 4 months. The result is a totally fused combination of regulator and dustcap and no amount of twisting and turning with a great deal of force (body weight) would separate the two parts.
So, the result of trying to protect the regulator has cost me the regulator.
I think that this may have been caused by the use of the two metals - brass for the regulator and aluminium for the dust cap.
So, have you any tips about how this could be prevented?
Never heard of that before Michael but, I've seen a lot of crazy things when you mix metal and water, especially salt water.
Certainly this is a good example of why plastic is so good for divers. The screw-on DIN caps are available in Delrin (plastic). They're identical to the metal ones. Otherwise I suppose one could use some silicon grease in the cap or on the threads if the reg is stored for any length of time. And, don't screw it on too tightly. It's O-Ring sealed so it doesn't need to be forced.
It's too bad that happened but it really is odd.
Thanks for watching and for your tip. Alec
Hello. I got my open water certification few weeks ago, I been watching your videos for a while now and i would like to thank you for great videos and awesome sense of humour. I am looking to buy my first BCD. Mostly ill be diving abroad, what style of BCD would you recommend for a new diver? Thanks
There are lots of BCDs that are designed for the traveling diver. They are usually lighter construction and eliminate a lot of superfluous straps, clips, etc. They fold up quite compactly and can be less than 1/2 of the weight of a 'standard' BCD. I'm currently using the Biolite from Oceanic and quite like it after maybe 25 dives. It's light, compact and does everything a BCD is supposed to do. There are others similar models available.
You must treat these BCDs with care. Rinse well, don't beat them up and they will last for years.
Good luck.
Alec
Yes be a "Consultant" and make ten times as much money ! I like using Freezer Bags to protect stuff ! Thank you for the video ! tjl
Freezer bags are extra thick and are the best for keeping gear clean, safe and protected from air and sun.
Thanks for watching. Alec
Hi Alec, not sure if you still monitor this chat, but I am going to try my luck. How do I take care of my new DIN regulator and put on the dust cap safely after taking off the regulator from the tank after a dive? I've been using rented Yoke regulators all these while, so this is my first DIN regulator and the dust cap is huge and round, and it screws into the DIN regulator. Thanks!
I try to reply to all reasonable comments Vivian and your is a good question. For DIN the key is to blow the water out of the cap, with your mouth not the tank, or a dry the inside with a cloth/t-shirt, before attaching. An idea some do is to leave the cap on the boat in a ziplock/waterproof bag, then put it on the 1st stage nice and dry.
If your looking for more ideas, search www.scubaboard.com for lots of varying opinions. Take care and welcome to ask anytime.
A.
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Ah! that makes sense. Thank you for your idea! I was cracking my head thinking how do I keep the cap clean and dry and sand free. I don't think I will be able to use my breath to clean out the huge dust cap if it attaches with the regulator and goes underwater with me. Thanks again! I have another question but I will post it on the video where you showed how to rinse out regulator. Cheers!
With DIN caps, is there a reason not to screw a tank cap into a regulator cap to keep it dry while diving? Then both the tank cap and the regulator cap would be dry when you get back to the boat.
It's a good to have both dry when returning from a dive. I have seen some nice screw in caps to keep both dry or put them into a ziploc bag. However, even a dry cap won't help if you drip salt water into the valve or open the tank valve and spray salt water mist into the valve. Lots of ideas, pick one you like and share with others.
Alex someone I know has just lost their dust cap whilst on a dive. There is no place to buy a dust cap where she is at the moment. Until a replacement can be found, how she should store the regs please? Should she use a freezer bag and suck out the air like you used in one of your other videos please?
In a Zip-Loc bag is good. You can use anything fairly solid that will fit in the space as a dust cap. Look around to find something - part of a pencil eraser, a small block of wood, etc.
Take care.
Alec
I simply leave the dust cap on the boat haha. and put it on after the dive
A good place to put it if it does not get lost, then what? Take care PD.
Can you rinse a tank valve with fresh water once you're off the boat and putting things away, or is that a bad idea, too?
Not bad, just not really needed. The tank valve oriface, where the 0-ring sits, might get salt water if sprayed/splashed on while removing the yoke. Only the O-ring degrades and is replaced regularly due to sun and salt. Rinsing the tank valve is not generally done as there is little to go wrong or service, not like a 1st stage where any salt water past the inlet filter can cause problems. Thanks for watching Brad.
thanks for the tip. I should had said she has din fitting regs, Any idea Alec please?
It's a bit harder to seal a DIN if you've lost your proper threaded cap.
Try to find a plastic cap that will fit over and hold it on with an elastic band or tape.
Or a small plastic bag and an elastic band wrapped tightly wound the threads might work.
Here's a good reason to carry a spare!!
Alec
Drill a small hole through a $.25 bouncy ball out of a bubble gum machine. You can tie a string to it. Boom, done.😁 I guess I have to try that..🤔
A ball is the best dust cap ever!!
There's no place on a ball for water to get caught and ruin your reg.
Take care.
Alec
One time I dove with a guy who used a rubber trackball from an old mouse as his dust cap.
Alec, if you do get a drop of salt water into the regulator first stage. Can one do anything to clean it before any damage occurs?
The diver, not really. Any water, salt or fresh, has contaminants/particles that will clog/coat 1st stage internals. Prevention is the very best cure Ted.
A.
You can mitigate the damage, by removing water ASAP.
Hook reg to tank. Remove SPG (& spool) from end of HP hose. Hold HP hose facing away from you. Pressurize reg. Purge both second stages. Bulk of water will go out HP hose. Also leave 1st stage uncapped, orifice downward facing, in sheltered place, for several days.
Sir, if using an aluminum DIN tank valve cap, will the dissimilar metals coming in contact with each other cause corrosion/rust of the threads over time?
Over a lot of time without being rinsed or cleaned. Remember the tank valve and tank are dissimilar metals too but no one worries about them due to annual inspections and cleaning. Thanks for watching Happy.
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thank you for the reply. Getting ready to order some and wanted your opinion.
My hollis DC2 has the dust cap behind the yoke, kinda acts like a big washer...so it's behind the air inlet...how do i get it off to replace? i found a nice flat dustcap hat won't hold so much water....should i just cut the leash?
my new one, i simply unscrew the yoke knob...but can i cut the whole one completely out? it looks like just another place to trap water.....
Sorry to take so long to help you with this.
Several brands use a similar dust cap - almost permanently attached to the reg.
You have little choice but to take it to your LDS. The yoke nut must be removed, the dust cap taken out and the nut replaced. Sounds easy but the nut must be replaced according to manufacturer's specs and that means proper cleaning, inspection and torquing. It's a lot of torque which means proper holding of the reg body. That's tough to do at home. You don't want to scratch up the body of your nice reg.
I suggest that you neaty cut the cap strap off of the ring that goes under the yoke and then install the dust cap of your choice. Leave the rubber ring under the yoke. This way also will keep that space filled so the yoke doesn't rattle.
Hope this helps.
Alec
Hi Alec, I think I've messed up... Just came back from a diving vacation, inspected my first stage and the (originally white) filter has a grey/black deposit in it. Also the filter seems to be damp.
This is probably a sign I should take it to the dive store for inspection right?
If the filter was just a bit wet you could probably rinse it and dry it but the colored deposits clearly say some corrosion has started.
It will need a new filter at the very least.
Once they get it open they can determine if it needs a complete overhaul.
I'm hoping your LDS is honest and won't charge you if it's not needed.
On the other hand, if it's been a while ( 1 or 2 years), just get it overhauled.
And try to figure out how it happend to avoid the same problem.
I have seen overly-enthusiastic divemasters rinsing regulator with no dust cap on them!!
I never let anyone else handle my reg.
Good luck.
Alec
They charge a $50 inspection fee. I bought the regulator just before the vacation, it's literally brand new... i.imgur.com/KD3ekD6.jpg
oil?!
Александр Криницкий any way to test if it's oil??? I'm doing Nitrox next week and I don't want to be on fire.
suclearnub just full clean up i think. But it's just a foto, may be you lucky........................ Be safe
Some BCD has a cap for the nipple that connects to the tank hose. Is this cap necessary?
It's to protect the nipple during packing and shipping from the manufacturer to the dealer.
It is definitely NOT necessary.
I usually throw all that kind of stuff out right away. If you try to keep it in place, it will just get lost eventually and upset you.
Save the aggravation. Toss it.
Alec
Does anyone know the name of the last company Alec mentioned that makes the ball style dust cap? Or the name of that cap? Having a hard time googling it.
The ball dust caps are very generic, most dive stores have them. As long as the inside is solid, not a bowel shape, you will have minimal water on the dust cap. Remember to blow the water off before screwing on.
Thanks Alec! Just discovered you. Love your videos. I’m in Southern California and haven’t been able to find a dive shop with this style of dust cap. They keep suggesting the “bowl” styles to me. I’m looking at dive supply website (based in Singapore) that has this ball style dust cap. I’m going to order a handful and see if I can gift some to friends! Also wanted to thank you for your video. I have not been careful with my regulator (new diver), and see a bit of a blue color underneath the first stage’s inlet (where the cone filter is). Dive shop owner said it’s not something to worry about and just to make sure I get it serviced in 12 months (which will be 2 years). I’m hoping it’s not a safety issue. From here on out I will be capping my regulator properly and watching more of your videos!
Apeks makes the ball dust cap. It also has a spare 014 o-ring affixed to it.
so youve got a dust cap for a cylinder Din style ,what do you use for yoke style ?
There are yoke valve dust caps but they are not nearly so good at sealing the valve as the DIN style which threads right into the valve and seals against the seat. The yoke style just slide over the top.
Always remember to blow some air out the valve before fitting yoru reg, DIN or yoke, and you'll be fine.
Alec
Din is superior to yoke. Main benefit is that you have the responsibility of the o ring. I for sure would not want to rely on rental o rings. Din can handle higher pressures too. Often on our dive boat the yoke divers I see have problems e.g. leaks and hissing, but us din divers are fine. Din tends to be used everywhere other than north America but i can stand corrected on that. On my travels I've only seen din with yoke as an option. Where I live yoke is not even legal because we have cold water diving.
Here in Canada we certify Ice Divers and they can use yoke or DIN as long as the 1st stage is certified for cold water
not sure why the regulator DIN cover has to be so deep. Not like you need more than a turn or 2 to hold it in place... you need a good seal to rinse and the one it comes with is garbage as you mention. also couldn't you use the same plastic tube on tank yoke for din ? guess the thread can hold more dirt, but you should blow bit of air before connecting reg anyway...
I've noticed that too - the DIN threaded-style regulator cap is too long. As you say, it only needs a few threads to seal on the O-Ring. There is a simple plastic DIN valve cover like the yoke style. It just sips over the valve. It won't keep water out but you don't put your tank in water with a reg on it.
Take care Alain.
Alec
All of this becomes irrelevant when you have reg with ACD system, like auqalung legend of something similar :)
Over the years, there have been many attempts to circumvent the Dust Cap or at least to prevent water from entering the first stage when the cap is off. None have proven 100% effective and unfortunately, that's what is needed. 99% won't do. Oceanic just discontinued their system (DVT - dry valve technology) which they've used for several years. The ACD is a modification of the DVT. It's somewhat complicated with several parts including springs and O-rings which both breakdown. And, you still need to be sure to clean any dirt and water from the regulator before fitting it on the valve. The end of the ACD holds quite a bit of water. We'll see how it lasts.
Dust caps, when used properly, are hard to beat. Relying on an automatic system to keep water out is delaying problems, not eliminating them, in my experience.
Alec, thanks for answer! I totally agree that dust cap's are still essential. What I meant is techniques with covering 1'st stage hole with your finger :) You can just blow air into dust cap and 1's stage hole to dry it without any worry if you have acd system.
congratulations on your retirement Alec!