Changing A Regulator Hose

[@SummersideDiver]

I wish my equipment specialist class would have covered this, but it did not. So I appreciate you taking the time to do so here so much more. Thank you

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Glad you liked the video @SummersideDiver.

[@flatheadfletch]

Their are several hose installation videos on KZbin. I asked everyone of them. The plugs have O rings. Do the hoses ? Your the first one talking about the O rings. THANK YOU !!!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You are welcome Flatheadfletch, glad you liked the video.

[@davidshumate4863]

Best part of video ,was you informed me of a class that would help me learn this stuff

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks david shumate. The Equipment Techniques goes over the entire Total Dive System, and how you can take good care of it. It really doesn't explain how to rebuild or repair the internal workings of a regulator, but minor fixes like this is common. All divers should be able to replace their own hoses. Its really no different than changing a battery in a computer.

[@KB-gd6fc]

Hi Brian, I recently went the opposite direction with my hoses. I switched from flex to rubber. Even for sidemount I haven't found them to be anymore difficult to route than flex hoses. One reason I switched comes from the possibility of flex hoses to kink. I'v never experienced this myself but ya know... I know a guy who knows a guy.. For what that's worth lol. A more serious reason i switched was the issue that came up a few years ago where the flex hoses with a polyester inner lining were actually melting and then re-hardening causing an occlusion at the 2nd stage. As I understand it the flex hoses with a polyETHer inner lining never had this issue. But after I left my reg set in a hot car for a day I noticed a yellowish goo starting to become visible from between the actual braided threads of my flex hoses and thought "How do I know if these are polyester or polyether?" So to eliminate that possibility entirely I just switched to rubber hoses. BUT, Im probably overly cautious. Different strokes for different folks. Thanks for the content! Keep the videos coming. Iv learned a lot watching your channel over the past year.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Kyle B. The Yellow Goo you saw, was more than likely a glue that had melted in the heat. Several years ago, there were several Miflex hoses that were flawed and caused several ruptures. This has not been the case recently. I routinely change out my hoses yearly, mine get a ton of wear and tear. As far as knowing if the lining is polyester or polyether, I would suspect you could contact the manufacture and they could tell you what it is made of. We usually purchase all of our hoses from XS Scuba, which has always had a high reputation in regards to quality. People ask me all the time why I use rubber hoses for cold weather diving, when rubber gets brittle in colder temperatures. Well in short, according to Mares, the internal structure of the rubber hoses they use, is more rigid. This causes more friction as the air travels through it keeping it more warm, helping to prevent freeze ups. I'm not sure if this is true or false, I have never really tested it, but at the same time, I really do not have a reason not to trust the engineers that develop the equipment.

[@eriksenactual]

I’ve heard about this same issue, to combat it I have my Octo on a rubber hose and then my Primary on a nice flex hose, keeps it flexy when breathing but if anything happens I’ll be just fine. I also run a two secondary setup so you can probably call me paranoid lol.

[@jonnieinbangkok]

You could have just emailed the hose manufacturer or asked the shop where you bought the hoses as to their composition.

[@timgosling6189]

Great to show people how little torque is needed on these unions. Feel and have sympathy for your materials - 'zen and the art of scuba maintenance'. I use almost all Miflex hoses for exactly the reasons you state, but I've kept the rubber one for the long hose. I find the extra weight keeps it nicely in place hanging round my neck whereas the Miflex hoses can be a little floaty.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Miflex can definitely be floaty.

[@Chogogo717]

Just for the sake of starting a discussion here... since you do your own regulator servicing I assume you have manufactures specs for working on them. Do they not specify any toques for the fittings or just recommend German torque?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Caleb Mcelhaney, you would be correct, I do service my own regulators, this of course being that I am a Factory Trained service technician as well. Most things in Scuba Diving, if not all, are sealed with an O-ring. The worse thing you can do is over tighten things. Also, there are multiple devices in scuba diving, such as a low pressure adapter fitting, that connects to the low pressure inflator, that has a metal to plastic connection. You would never want to torque this down. Simply hand tight goes a long ways in the Scuba world. Great question by the way.

[@troop1026]

I really love the intro. I know you have been messing around with the intro. Keep this one. I’m a mi-flex man. I have them on my travel rig and on my open water rig. Cold water still has the old heavy rubber ones. Great video. Safe diving my friend. Mike Lukas.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks troop1026

[@ernestlcolemanjr]

I have the Mares Pure BCD I'm trying to change my rubber LP hose to a flex what size hose should I get? I want the exact same size that came with the BCD.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello ernestlcolemanjr, check with you local dive center, as most dive centers care flex hose, and can get you the exact length you need.

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Miflex for weight advantage and flexibility (size too on HP hose)...as a tropical water recreational diver they suit me fine.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello jonnieinbangkok, I like Miflex hoses for tropical diving as well. Especially for travel.

[@kannantv1064]

Sir, please advise what's the theard of hose both end?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello RISHIKESH KANNAN, this would be 3/8.

[@michaelmccrorey4973]

Brian do you tend to not tie your bolt snap not on the hose when you use myflex hoses.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

On this particular one, I tie it behind the fitting in the little groove. On rubber hoses, it gets tied directly to the hose. Neither, have I ever had any issues.

[@mikkosport2300]

Thank you for clear explanation. However, I would not use silicon grease but oxygen compatible one, like Krystolube, if I plan to use the reg with any kind of nitrox. When you once use silicon grease it is virtually impossible to get rid of completely and it definitely is not O2 compatible.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello N N, on static O-rings such as these, standard lube is sufficient. All internal components and o-rings for both the First Stage and Second Stage, we would most definitely use Krystolube.

[@stevenwood1468]

Is it difficult to change hoses on my gear console ?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Depending on which console you have, not really. Sliding a gauge system out of the boot tends to be the hardest part. Plus, if you use an air integrated computer, most of the manufactures use a pin to hold the computer in place. Once it is removed, you can usually pop the computer out of the console with ease.

[@stevenwood1468]

LakeHickoryScuba I have heard soaking the console in warm water helps.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

That could help as well.

[@jhkleinberg2]

You mean 17mm. 17 inch is huge.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Correct Joe kle, thanks for pointing that out.

[@Kirbythediver]

How old is that 2nd lol I feel like you made this video because of your students bringing gear in to swap hoses lol

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

This particular one is only about 4 years old. Its the standard D R Second stage that comes with the Mares XR system.

[@dagarbear2311]

17" wrenches, huh? :-)

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Slip of the tongue. 17mm is what I meant to say.

[@davidmccaffery]

@@LakeHickoryScuba one day, KZbin will have a metric/imperial translate function