To paraphrase a very old Polish encyclopedia, it can be said that a diving machine “what everyone sees”.
When we look at today’s divers, we can see that in the old films the dive automatons looked a little different. That’s a valid observation; vending machines used to have two corrugated hoses leading from the cylinder to the diver’s mouth, nowadays one thin hose leads from the cylinder to the mouthpiece, that is, to the so-called second stage of the vending machine, through which air is transferred from the cylinder at a pressure of about 10 atmospheres, so that a relatively narrow hose is sufficient for the right amount of air to be delivered to the diver. Some confusion may be caused by so-called rebreathers, or closed-circuit equipment, which allows a diver to use the same gas repeatedly after replenishing the oxygen consumed by the diver. More about closed circuits in Part V of the blog on dive automatics. Like the old rebs automats, they have two corrugated hoses through which the diver both inhales gas and exhales it into the so-called counter lungs, the gas is in the meantime passed through a carbon dioxide absorber and supplemented with oxygen
Divers talk a lot about diving automatons focusing on their quality, breathing resistance, appearance; these are, of course, quite important features But one feature is often1)hundred wrongly overlooked, that is, what is simply the ease of servicing a given automaton – the availability of service centers in the immediate area. Of course, the breathing machine can be sent to the service and also picked up simply by courier, but an available service nearby in certain situations may be more convenient after all
If ease of servicing is such an important feature of an automatic, let’s consider How often should we service our automatic? In general, of course, it depends on the instruction manual for the use of a particular machine, but you can adopt some general rules here and then check them in detail in the manual of the equipment in question. A common rule of thumb among divers is that we service an automatic at least once a year, and this is a very good rule. The second factor affecting the frequency of servicing is simply due to the intensity of use of the automaton – the manuals say that every 50 to 100 hours of use of the automaton (that is, in practice, usually every 50 to 100 dives) it should be serviced.
Why does an automatic machine need servicing? In addition to the typical wear and tear of the parts that are inside the first and second stage of the automat with each dive the automat gets slightly covered with moisture, then this water dries out and on the automat a little like in a kettle deposits of lime and after some time the parts of the automat may not fit tightly together, do not close, the automat may start to bubble, that is, let air out and it will be neither comfortable nor safe during our dives. During servicing, the automatic machine is disassembled and subjected to light acid to clean the lime deposits, and then it is bolted together using new parts that are in the so-called service kit, that is, in the set of parts that are recommended by the manufacturer for replacement during servicing Well, and at the same time the components are lubricated so that they can work together smoothly.
When considering what kind of vending machine to buy consider:
First, the availability of the service of this machine.
We may also consider advising or advising an instructor whether the design of a given model of automat is adapted to the kind of diving we want to do, i.e. whether the automat is more or less resistant to cold water; getting clogged; minor dirt in the water; because this may be much more important than whether the automat has this or that solution inside its design (although it may come from that)
Choosing the right machine
If the described features and design differences seem too complicated to choose the right model, consider the resulting consequences for the diver and make a decision on such a basis. We can certainly advise our instructor at Deepspot. He will explain everything to us or refer us to a person who will answer our doubts.
- Safety. Safety is very important, yet when you buy a modern automatic from a well-known manufacturer, you get a product with a reasonable and proven design. It is not necessary to check which automats work and which do not 🙂
- Investment in top models. If someone expresses the opinion that the best automatics are not for beginners or occasional divers, this is not true. Similarly, it would be to say that one who gets sick occasionally does not need the best medicine. Every diver will benefit from the improved performance and durability of the top models. If price is important in making a choice, it’s a good idea to simply buy the most expensive model you can afford. Virtually always buying more expensive models turns out to be cheaper in the end over a long period of use. It is certainly worth looking at simpler models from good companies.
Maintenance, service and repair of the machine
The automat and its accessories require more care than other pieces of diving equipment, but if we take care of them properly they will serve us all our diving life, until the wear and tear associated more with the desire to replace them with something new than with the wear and tear of the equipment.
Maintenance
The most important part of maintaining a vending machine is washing it in fresh water as soon as possible after use. Failure to do so results in a faster decline in performance than any other reason. If possible, wash the automatic when it is still mounted on the cylinder and the air is unscrewed. This reduces the risk of accidental water entering the first stage. If this is not possible, it is recommended to turn off the cap that secures the first step and rinse in position with the second step below the first. The 1st stages of Deepspot automatic machines have special valves that prevent water from entering the 1st stage during rinsing (a very convenient solution). Do not press the addition button, which opens the valve and may cause water to enter the 2nd stage. Use a stream of water that is not too strong, or wash in a dish of water. Avoiding strong jets of water prevents dirt from entering areas that are sensitive to it. If we do not temporarily have the opportunity to rinse the vending machine in fresh water, it is a good idea to pack the vending machines tightly so that they do not dry out until they are properly washed. After washing, let the machine dry in a dry cool place without direct sunlight. Avoid kinking hoses. Stiffeners on the hoses help with this. Do not lubricate, disassemble or service automatic machines without being qualified to do so.
Servicing
The machine requires professional service according to the manufacturer’s specifications. This is usually carried out once a year, although new vending machines built with new materials may have longer times between required service inspections. The machine should be serviced when:
- * According to the manufacturer’s specifications (usually once a year or every two years).
- * Every six months of intensive use.
- * If damage or excessive wear is observed.
- * If you observe a marked increase in breathing resistance or any reason you suspect may result in problems for the automaton.
Considering that an automaton is an essential part of sustaining your life underwater, try to always be on the safe side when it comes to maintenance and service. Although problems can be caused by many causes, the best way to avoid them is a complete service that lasts and costs little more than partial replacements of worn components.
The service consists of several steps. First, the technician disassembles all the components, and cleans them in an acid bath and then in a special detergent in an ultrasonic cleaner. Cleaned components, are visually inspected, and worn parts are replaced. The re-screwed machine is subjected to adjustment according to the manufacturer’s parameters.
Auto repair
Automatics are pieces of diving equipment that do not actually break down if they are regularly serviced, that is, once a year or according to the instruction manual. Between services virtually nothing happens to them, however, sometimes, of course, there are some failures from some simplest type of overbite mouthpiece to something more complicated. The repair is actually no different from a typical service because during the servicing of an automatic machine all the important components of the equipment are replaced, so in the event of a breakdown the repair is most often carried out, which is actually the same thing that is done during such periodic annual service. After a properly conducted repair (combined with a full service), our machine can again be used for a full service interval according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
