owlbill
July 20th, 2010, 07:37 PM
Apart from the BC inflator, tank valves seem to be the most neglected piece of dive gear when it comes to service. We all (generally) have our tanks inspected and regulators serviced annually, but the part that connects both of them, the valve, is usually ignored.
We recommend having the valve overhauled whenever the tanks are hydro tested. New o-rings, valve packings and burst disc assembly should be installed and the valve cleaned. If you used high oxygen percentages in your cylinders, deco cylinders for example, should be serviced more often as the oxygen levels will be harder on the o-rings.
Burton's Dive Service has just lowered the labour rate on valve servicing from $25 down to just $10. Parts are still extra of course :-)
We recommend having the valve overhauled whenever the tanks are hydro tested. New o-rings, valve packings and burst disc assembly should be installed and the valve cleaned. If you used high oxygen percentages in your cylinders, deco cylinders for example, should be serviced more often as the oxygen levels will be harder on the o-rings.
Burton's Dive Service has just lowered the labour rate on valve servicing from $25 down to just $10. Parts are still extra of course :-)