-=> Quoting Jay Hanig to Achim Lohse <=-
  ...
 AL>   I've got an old Dacor pressure gauge that I bought used quite a few
  ...
 AL>   it worked on by a dive shop recently, but it just keeps 
  leaking.
 AL>   Is this a potentially dangerous situation or not? I always use a J-
  JH> I think it's time to replace that old gauge.  There's only two 
  o- 
 JH> the case.  Most likely, since you've had the gauge serviced and 
  the
 JH> problem is still there, you've got a crack in the guage housing itself
 JH> where the hose attaches itself. 
 JH> Every immersion washes away lubrication.....yours is long gone by now.
  I know, I know - gotta get a new pressure gauge, BC, regulators, 
  depth gauge, new tanks too. Or maybe I should just save my pennies 
  for a rebreather!
  But is there any danger in using the gauge, other than an air leak 
  developping and/or loss of pressure monitoring capability at some 
  point? Is there an explosive potential? As I said, the gauge still 
  seems to read consistenly.
 JH> As for trusting an old J valve....they weren't that great when they
 JH> were new.  You're betting your life on the strength of an old spring. 
  The world is full of old springs, isn't it? So long as they're not 
  overstressed, they can last a long time. I keep them up when the 
  tanks are full, and down when the tank is being filled.
 JH> Try this little experiment with a buddy:  run your air down to nothing
 JH> and see how long your "reserve" lasts in the pool.  Divide that time
 JH> by 3 and you'll see your reserve is practically nothing at 60'. 
  Oops, that reminds me, I need a buddy too (and a pool would be 
  nice)!  Last time I tried the reserve valve, it held abut 500 psi 
  back.
  I'm in the boonies, 90 miles from the nearest dive shop, with no 
  local diving buddies, only the firehall to fill my tanks, and only 
  shallow local lakes to play in.  So it's hard to justify buying new 
  equipment. If I did, a dive computer with air and altitude 
  capability would probably be my choice, but I'm waiting for my wife 
  to take up the sport before spending the big bucks.
  regards,
  Achim
  Achim Lohse...Box2250, Invermere BC, V0A 1KO
  lohse@rockies.net/a.lohse@netcom.ca
  FAX: 604-342-0404
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