Now that many dive shops and manufacturers are moving their sales online, the question I've seen posed by many is, why won't manufacturers sell the parts kits for their regulators directly to the consumer? It seems like a natural conclusion to online sales; the customer purchases a regulator online. Why shouldn't they be able to purchase the kits to repair it as well?
The answer to that question actually begins at the manufacturer's responsibility to the consumer. The reason manufacturers generally require yearly service on their regulators is to ensure that the regulators are in good working condition. So, they train technicians through local dive shops to take them apart properly and examine the regulators' moving parts. Though regulators themselves are generally very durable, the o-rings and diaphragm are made of parts that degrade, much like the belts in your car's motor. Thus, the regulators require new parts from the manufacturer periodically. Even if you only dive once or twice a year, these parts will harden with age like any other rubber product.
Enter the Local Dive Shop. As a shop with a Repair Department, I've seen what it takes to properly disassemble and reassemble a regulator, and to tune it. I can safely say that you probably don't have one in your basement. The regulators have to be tested at a testing station with air pressure to ensure proper function, and many regulators have face plates that require special tools to remove. Manufacturers do not direct-sell their parts kits because it becomes a huge liability to both the dive center and the manufacturer if someone takes their reg apart, pulls out the o-rings, puts it back together and misses something or cracks the housing in a way that causes it to malfunction. It's the same reason you can't fill your tank from the tire compressor in your garage; you breathe off it. If we sell you a parts kit, you install it and your regulator free-flows at fifty feet, whose fault is it? Was it your installation, or was it a faulty kit? The list goes on.
At the end of the day, the repair kit policy is the only means by which a manufacturer can ensure proper function and maintenance of the products they stand by. And keep in mind, these units are designed to keep you alive in a foreign environment. Wouldn't you want someone who checks them for a living to make sure it's in good condition, inside and out?
The answer to that question actually begins at the manufacturer's responsibility to the consumer. The reason manufacturers generally require yearly service on their regulators is to ensure that the regulators are in good working condition. So, they train technicians through local dive shops to take them apart properly and examine the regulators' moving parts. Though regulators themselves are generally very durable, the o-rings and diaphragm are made of parts that degrade, much like the belts in your car's motor. Thus, the regulators require new parts from the manufacturer periodically. Even if you only dive once or twice a year, these parts will harden with age like any other rubber product.
Enter the Local Dive Shop. As a shop with a Repair Department, I've seen what it takes to properly disassemble and reassemble a regulator, and to tune it. I can safely say that you probably don't have one in your basement. The regulators have to be tested at a testing station with air pressure to ensure proper function, and many regulators have face plates that require special tools to remove. Manufacturers do not direct-sell their parts kits because it becomes a huge liability to both the dive center and the manufacturer if someone takes their reg apart, pulls out the o-rings, puts it back together and misses something or cracks the housing in a way that causes it to malfunction. It's the same reason you can't fill your tank from the tire compressor in your garage; you breathe off it. If we sell you a parts kit, you install it and your regulator free-flows at fifty feet, whose fault is it? Was it your installation, or was it a faulty kit? The list goes on.
At the end of the day, the repair kit policy is the only means by which a manufacturer can ensure proper function and maintenance of the products they stand by. And keep in mind, these units are designed to keep you alive in a foreign environment. Wouldn't you want someone who checks them for a living to make sure it's in good condition, inside and out?
WHAT A BUNCHA BALONEY. And too bad most folks drink that koolaid.
ReplyDeleteIf this were true then, like any other technical course, there would be many training outlets offering tuition based courses for regulator repair. The truth is, this is a business protection scheme model that is intended to protect the "investments" of dive shop owners. Unfortunately, is exactly what used to be called "monopoly practices" many years ago. If it were about liability and danger, than how is it I can get parts to do brake jobs on any vehicle made, I can buy sharpen and put whirling blades on my lawn mowers, and ad infinitum. So let's be honest here and call a spade a spade.
First, I do not agree or listen to anyone that post Anonymous, they are not creditable in my eyes. Life support is a lot different than brakes. if you wish to chance a break job on used or even new parts go for it. If we allow divers to atempt a reg overhaul how will they set they IP? How will they understand the new part changes. Another point would be if we have an increase in accedents out insurance will go way up. I have another point what is wrong with a DIVE store making money? and why would you not want a pro to check over yor equipment.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Patrick. There is a difference between auto/appliance repair and regulator repair. A regulator's sole function is to keep you alive in a hostile environment. While a brake failure in your car creates hazardous situations, a regulator failure while in use represents a much more immediate threat on your life. And, in keeping with the theme of auto repair, I'm sure you're confident doing a brake job, but what about replacing a faulty gas line? Rebuilding the transmission?
ReplyDeleteAnd, if you've read your auto owner's manual, then you know they recommend that you bring your car to a qualified technician for repair. Is repair a source of income for the dive center? Yes. A dive center is a business, just like your auto shop. But your car does not need to be tuned to exact breathing specifications in order to keep you from asphyxiating while operating it. Your regulator does. I think that's a good enough reason to bring it to a qualified repair technician, but we may just have to agree to disagree on this one.
Having a car's brake's fail while going down a steep hill definitely presents an immediate threat to your life, and those around you; have you ever heard of a regulator failure killing five people that happened to be unlucky enough to be passing in the opposite direction of you? There is no doubt that risk is very prevalent in our society, and will continue to be, and we all accept the it.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to get to be proficient at doing something is by having the parts available, doing it, and testing it. There is plenty of material on the subject and at least one company *DOES* offer a course to understand what is involved in the service, Hog springs to mind, and I believe Zeagle and Diverite are forward thinking as well.
I agree with anonymous you can do your own brakes and put every one around you on the road at jeperdy but a regulator is only doing that to your self
ReplyDeleteI run a small dive centre and am a trained technician with access to the service manuals and all the equipment required to complete the work to spec. I have access to the service kits for a number of manufacturers, the ones I have a trade deal with, and I service this kit regularly. By the way I also have insurance that cost me an arm and a leg. I understand why these kits are not sold to the general public, it would be dangerous. What if you were to service your own reg and then sell to someone who died using it first time out? What needs to change is the practice of manufacturers supplying only their own dealerships. This has the affect of limiting competition between service centres, although I do not think the cost of a full regulator service is extortionate sometimes the odd tenner makes a difference. If I was Joe Bloggs I would be prepared to pay £80 - £90 a year to have the job done correctly. Yesterday I stripped a regulator and was shocked at the state of it, I would say the owner had dodged a bullet.
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