What Is Regulator Vibration And Fluttering

[@johnraymond7189]

40 years of diving and I always questioned the integrity of my reg when this occurred. Thanks Brian

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello John Raymond, this tends to be a common theme with divers. Fortunately for me, being in the Industry for as long as I have, I have sold and used just about all the major manufactures on the market. And at some point in time, all the regulators (all major manufactures) have fluttered while on the surface. For each of the technician level courses I have taken in the past, I would always ask the lead tech the same question, "Is this normal," and they would always say yes.

[@JoshuaDircks]

Thank you again for taking the time to share your knowledge!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You are very welcome Joshua Dircks, we appreciate you taking the time to watch our videos. We are glad that you and others find them helpful.

[@lydialeigh4]

Finally have that question answered! Thanks for sharing this info with us. I thought when this happens that something was wrong with my reg or that I was somehow over breathing at the surface. 👍

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Lydia Leigh, glad you found our video helpful. In my experience, at some point in time, all second stages can experience this.

[@juanpereira6258]

Thanks, Brian

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome juan pereira, glad you liked the video.

[@searching4279]

Thanks again!!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You are very welcome Searching 4.

[@Ickythekid]

Great video. Just got my own reg and was wondering if I should be concerned about the fluttering noise. Thank you!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You are welcome Rick Irvine, glad you liked the video.

[@Fronabarger1]

I have wondered this before

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hope you found the video helpful Eric Fronabarger.

[@timgosling6189]

Very nicely explained. My Apeks regs all burp when I'm checking them on the surface and always stop when they get wet. As you say, you get used to it.

[@traydog1257]

Same with my Apeks reg but it’s nice to know it’s nothing serious

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks Tim Gosling, glad you liked the video.

[@scubavery]

Very helpful video.Thanks 👍

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome Scubavery, glad you liked the video.

[@rivelinophillip3074]

Hi can you post some safe mini delta p videos

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Rivelino Phillip. I will try my best to do some for you. We do a lot of salvage work and underwater repairs of water intake systems. Delta P is always a concern when we work. We have a major job coming up in April that we plan on recording and making a commentated video on. I will try my best to show how Delta P can cause issues for us. In the mean time, here are a few where we talk about it as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4atmmeOeb-Ajq8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5C5lY2cg5mJbJI

[@gregwicks51]

Haha! About a two week ago I got my new SSI Pro Regs in the mail. Hooked them up to a tank to check them out. Yep the primary vibrates hard.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Greg Wicks, we have started a new series displaying my personal gear that I am using in 2022. During our regulator episode, you will see that I too am using the new SSI Pro set. And it flutters at the surface as well.

[@excuter90]

Nice video finally someone explained! My regulator did that when i fresh bought it only on air and then after 2-3 dives it stopped, then that happened under water last time is that normal as well?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello excuter90, typically, it should not happen underwater. You may here a little vibrations if there is an obstruction in the demand valve, but you should not here in vibrations underwater in the diaphragm.

[@MrGhamsf0a]

Hey Brian please advise, My new (two dives only)scubapro G260 2nd stage keeps whistling when inhaling l. out and in the water same whistling!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello MrGhamsf0a, there are several things that can cause a whistling sound in a second stage. Typically, this does not effect the operation of it. My suggestion would be to verify the hoses are cleared and the demand valve, and have your local ScubaPro technican verfy that both the intermediate and cracking pressure is set according to the manufacture. This should take care of the issue.

[@markwallace1251]

What causes a flutter in the first stage? No flutter with a yoke adapter, only on a din valve?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

That is a great question Mark Wallace. To my knowledge, the only things that can cause flutter in a first stage would be a frayed o-ring, debris in the low pressure chamber, or a damaged diaphragm. Depending on what model first stage you have, a service technician may not be able to diagnosis the issue. In certain cases, I would recommend sending it back to the manufacture for evaluation, especially if it effects the breathability of the regulator.

[@markwallace1251]

@@LakeHickoryScuba it's a 52x, I've been diving it this way for 2 years with no issues...I would probably be more concerned if it stopped making the noise during a dive at this point 🤣 I brought it with me this weekend to lake james, but I was never able to make it over to see you guys. Would you like to service it?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

@@markwallace1251 Hey Mark, I would be happy to look at it for you. Unfortunately, I’m out of town on the Outer Banks for my family’s Easter vacation. I will be back at the shop next Monday, April 25th, if you would like to bring it by.

[@markwallace1251]

@@LakeHickoryScuba Right on 🤙🏼 I'll swing back out that way as soon as possible.

[@jeffconley6366]

What about when regulators make a honking sound underwater?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Jeff Conley, ironically, my daughter's regulator does this sometimes. One of the things that can cause this is a restriction of air flow inside the demand valve of the second stage. Depending on how the internal make up of the regulator is designed, if the valve does not fully open, it can cause a "Strider Effect," sometimes it may even mimic snoring. When this occurs, I would suggest having a technician for the brand you use check it out. This can be caused by debris (which is usually a form of corrosion between the demand lever and the demand valve), or it can also because by small particles of sand or other debris stuck between the poppet and lower pressure seat. Either way, this is not as common as the fluttering effect and should definitely be looked at by a trained technician. Lastly, you can remove the second stage from the hose, to verify there is not debris caught in the hose connector. This too may cause a restriction of air flow. I've seen this while replacing O-rings on a low pressure hose. When an O-ring goes bad and begins to flay off, a small piece can get stuck between the hose and how adapter. In the event that small piece of rubber was to travel on through the demand valve, it could lodge itself between the seat and poppet, which could cause a free flowing regulator. This of course is very bad, as we lose more air through a low pressure failure than a high pressure failure. Hope this helps.

[@jeffconley6366]

@@LakeHickoryScuba Thanks for the detailed reply. Gives me ideas to check. I started doing something that is probably a bad idea. I have started taking my second stages off their low pressure hoses for storage. I may have gotten contamination in that way.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

Also, they probably don't flutter underwater, since the viscosity of water is much higher than air, and the diaphragms don't get the opportunity to oscillate like they do in air.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You would be correct Bloody Marvelous.