Equipment Servicing
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John Wilson owns and operates Cyltest within the Scuba Store.
John has years of experience expertly servicing all makes and
models of dive equipment. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should my scuba cylinder be tested?
Australian regulations require that your tank
be visually inspected and pressure tested at
a certified testing station once per year.
- Why do they call the pressure test a "hydrostatic"
test?
For this test, the cylinder is filled with water and then pressurised to its test pressure. This allows the tester to measure the permanant expansion of the cylinder (if any) and is much safer due to the incompressible nature of water.
- How much does cylinder testing cost?
Prices as of January 2006 -
Cylinder test and air fill - $40. Tumbling, if required (to remove rust) - $22. Valve service, if stipulated - $14.50 plus parts. Some older aluminium cylinders require electronic testing for cracks around the cylinder neck this costs an additional $10.
- How often should my regulators be serviced?
The amount of use a regulator gets and how well it is looked after will determine its service interval. A regulator thrown unwashed into the corner of the shed, would probably need to be serviced before the next dive to restore its performance. Conversely, one that is washed thoroughly and used little, may need some attention after two years. As a general rule, regulators should be serviced yearly.
- How much does a regulator servicing cost?
From July 2006, a regulator service is $88 plus the cost of parts (GST inclusive). This includes servicing of the 1st stg, 2nd stage and octopus, the gauge swivel and the BCD hose end.
- Can I service my own equipment?
Given its importance, equipment servicing should
generally be undertaken by a qualified professional.
That's not to say that you shouldn't understand
how your gear actually functions. From time to time,
John offers an equipment maintenance and repair
course suitable for the recreational diver.
- Can you repair brand X?
John has been servicing diving equipment commercially since 1981. In that time he has repaired nearly every make and model of regulator and cylinder valve including a few older twin hose regulators.
John has factory repair qualifications for Aqualung (US Divers), Apollo, Mares, Sherwood, Poseidon, Oceanic, Scubapro, Airdive and Apeks. He has a large store of parts in stock for most regulators currently available and for some models and makers that have disappeared.
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