Apeks Regulator User manual
®
Regulator Owner’s Manual
DOC/0258/USA ISSUE 1
Copyright Notice
This owner’s manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not, in
whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or
reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without
prior consent in writing from Apeks.
©2005 Apeks
Regulator Owner’s Manual
P/N AP5310AA
Warnings, Cautions and Notes
Pay special attention to information provided in warnings, cautions and
notes, that is accompanied by these symbols:
AWARNING indicates a procedure or situation that, if not
avoided, could result in serious injury or death to the user.
ACAUTION indicates any situation or technique that could
cause damage to the product, and could subsequently result in
injury to the user.
ANOTE is used to emphasize important points, tips, and
reminders.
WARNING: This manual provides essential instructions for
the proper setup, inspection, use, and care of your new
regulator. Because Apeks regulators utilize patented
technology, it is very important to take the time to read
these instructions in order to understand and fully enjoy
the features that are unique to your specific model.
Improper use of your regulator could result in serious
injury or death.
3
Contents
General Precautions & Warnings …………………………………4
Introduction ……………………………………………………………5
Using Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) ……………………………………6
Overview of Features …………………………………………………8
Second Stage Configuration…………………………………………8
Diver Changeable Exhaust System (DCE) ………………………9
External Second Stage Adjustments ………………………………11
Integrated Venturi System …………………………………11
Inhalation Resistance Control Knob ………………………………12
Egress Second Stage ………………………………………………13
First Stage Environmental Protection ……………………………14
Second Stage Cold Water Protection ……………………………14
Preparation and Setup ………………………………………………15
Hose Attachment ……………………………………………………15
Attaching the First Stage to the Cylinder Valve (Yoke) …………16
Attaching the First Stage to the Cylinder Valve (DIN) …………18
DIN to Yoke Converter ……………………………………………19
Diving with Your Regulator ……………………………………… 20
Pre-Dive Inspection Checklist: ……………………………………20
During the Dive ………………………………………………………21
Diving In Cold Water ………………………………………………22
After the Dive ………………………………………………………… 24
Removal of the Regulator from the Cylinder Valve (Yoke) ……24
Removal of the Regulator from the Cylinder Valve (DIN) ………24
Care & Maintenance ………………………………………………25
Dealer Service & Repair ……………………………………………27
Warranty Information ……………………………………………… 28
Limited Lifetime Warranty …………………………………………28
Restrictions …………………………………………………………29
Returning Your Regulator for Service ……………………………30
ServiceRecord ……………………………………………………… 31
4
General Precautions & Warnings
■Before using this regulator, you must receive instruction and
certification in SCUBA diving from a recognized training agency (or
any U.S. Military or government operated diving school). Use of
SCUBA equipment by uncertified or untrained persons is
dangerous and can result in injury or death.
■This regulator is not configured for commercial use with surface
supplied air.
■Always pressurize the regulator gradually by opening the cylinder
valve SLOWLY.
■NEVER apply any type of lubricant to any part of the regulator or
cylinder valve.
■DO NOT apply any type of aerosol spray to the regulator. Doing so
may cause permanent damage to certain plastic components,
including the second stage housing.
■Factory prescribed service for this regulator must be performed at
least once annually by a factory trained Apeks service technician
who is employed by an authorized dealer. Disassembly, repair, or
first stage adjustment must not be attempted by persons who are
not factory trained and authorized by Apeks.
■DO NOT leave a cylinder standing unsecured with the regulator
attached to the valve. Doing so may cause permanent damage to
the regulator and cylinder valve if the cylinder falls over.
■DO NOT carry the regulator by the first stage when it is connected
to a cylinder. Always carry the cylinder by the cylinder valve or an
attached carrying device.
■When diving in cold water (below 50°F, or 10°C), you must have
received training and certification in the techniques of cold water
diving from a recognized training agency.
5
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations—and thank you—for choosing Apeks. All Apeks
regulators have been designed and manufactured with pride,
according to standards which meet or surpass all requirements for the
BS EN ISO 9001 quality control system.
Your Apeks regulator is covered by Apeks’ Limited Lifetime Warranty
against defects in materials or workmanship. This warranty is only
extended to the original purchaser, however, and is not transferable.
For more information, be sure to read the warranty section of this
manual, and remember to save your sales receipts. Copies of these
receipts must be presented whenever obtaining warranty service.
Perhaps more than any other piece of diving equipment you will own,
your regulator’s function and performance relies greatly on the care
and maintenance it will receive, in addition to regularly scheduled
dealer service. Before you dive with your new Apeks regulator, it is
therefore important to read this manual in its entirety to become
familiar with its features, as well as the correct procedures for setup,
pre-dive inspection and post-dive maintenance.
Please read on to learn how you can obtain the maximum enjoyment
from your regulator, and maintain its like-new performance for many
years to come.
WARNING: Improper use or misuse of SCUBA equipment
may result in serious injury or death. Read and understand
this owner’s manual completely before diving with your
Apeks regulator.
6
USING ENRICHED AIR NITROX (EAN)
WARNING: This section of your owner’s manual contains
important information regarding the use of your equipment
with enriched air (EAN/Nitrox). Do not attempt to use this
product with enriched air until you have read and understand
this section of the manual. To do otherwise increases your
risk of injury or death.
WARNING: Obtain an EAN (Nitrox) Certification. In order to
enjoy the special benefits that EAN/nitrox can provide, it is
extremely important to obtain special training from a
nationally recognized training agency in addition to that
which is provided for openwater scuba.
Your Apeks regulator has been prepared for use with Enriched Air
Nitrox (EAN) where the percentage of oxygen in the EAN does not
exceed 40%. This is possible because each regulator is built to a high
standard of cleanliness using EAN compatible components and
lubricants. In addition, each regulator design has passed stringent
adiabatic compression testing to ensure its safety and compatibility
with increased percentages of oxygen.
If it is your intention to use your new Apeks regulator with EAN (O2not
to exceed 40%), it is imperative that you maintain the internal
cleanliness of the regulator (see section on Care and Maintenance). If
it is your intent to use the regulator interchangeably with breathing air,
the breathing air should be oxygen-compatible or “hyperfiltered”
whereas the condensed hydrocarbons do not exceed 0.1 mg/m3. Your
local authorized Apeks dealer can help you determine whether the
breathing air that they provide meets this criterion.
Standard compressed breathing air, often referred to as Grade E in
the United States, does not necessarily meet this criterion. Grade E
breathing air may contain a certain level of hydrocarbons, including
traces of compressor oils that while not considered harmful to breathe,
can pose a risk in the presence of elevated oxygen content.
7
Passing hydrocarbons through a valve and regulator creates a
cumulative effect where the hydrocarbons build up over time along the
internal passageways of the equipment. When these hydrocarbons
come in contact with high-pressure oxygen enriched air, they can pose
a very real hazard that can lead to combustion.
Therefore, if a regulator has had use with Grade E breathing air, it
should be returned to an authorized Apeks dealer for overhaul service
including hydrocarbon cleaning, prior to being put back into nitrox
service.
Although second stage components are not exposed to high pressure
EAN, Apeks recommends that the same cleaning procedures be
followed for the complete regulator. This prevents the possibility of
cross contamination and guarantees the cleanliness of the entire
regulator.
NOTE: Apeks offers additional models of regulators that are
designed and manufactured for use with enriched air nitrox where
the percentage of oxygen exceeds 40%. For information about
these models, consult your authorized Apeks dealer.
8
OVERVIEW OF FEATURES
The Apeks family of regulators consists of different models which
satisfy a wide range of diving interests; from entry level sport diving, to
advanced diving in more demanding and extreme conditions. By now,
your authorized dealer has already explained to you the specific
features that your particular model offers, and you have made your
purchase after comparing the benefits of these features to your
personal diving needs and interests. Be sure to review this section to
learn more about your model’s features and how to obtain the
maximum benefit from using them. The XTX range offers two features
unique to XTX. The option for either left or right hand hose
configuration and the Diver Changeable Exhaust system (DCE).
Second Stage Hose Configuration
Apeks XTX regulator range can be dedicated to either left or right
handed use in conjunction with the RVS system (see page 11). The
hose routing can be altered from right hand to left or from left hand to
right by your Authorized Apeks Dealer. This is an extremely useful
feature offering much greater flexibility for personal kit configuration.
Right Hand Left Hand
NOTE: This conversion must only be performed by a factory
trained Authorized Apeks Service Technician who is employed by
an Authorized Dealer. Contact your Authorized Apeks Dealer for
further information on this feature. Disassembly, adjustment or
repair must not be attempted by persons who are not factory
trained and authorized by Apeks.
9
Diver Changeable Exhaust system (DCE)
The Diver Changeable Exhaust (DCE) offers the choice of either a
compact lightweight system or a longer exhaust diffuser. DCE can be
configured to prevent virtually any bubble interference from obscuring
the diver’s view.
The exhaust diffusers can be easily and very quickly changed by
sliding and locking the preferred set into place. Divers can now
configure their own regulator exhaust diffusers for individual dive
conditions or requirements.
By pressing the securing button in the centre of the exhaust diffuser
and at the same time sliding the diffusers apart, they can be removed
quickly and easily.
To attach an alternative set of exhaust diffusers, align the slide
locations as shown and slide each side into place, taking care that the
exhaust diffusers are located securely. When the two diffusers meet
squeeze them together until an audible click is heard from the
retaining button.
1. First gently press the button located
in the center of the exhaust diffuser.
CAUTION! Do not use any tools
to aid the removal of the
exhaust diffusers.
2. Then slide both exhaust diffusers
apart, while keeping the button
depressed.
PRESS HERE
10
CAUTION! Ensure location
grooves are free from dirt
and debris.
3. Refitting the exhaust diffusers
is carried out by sliding ONE
diffuser at a time onto the
case, once both diffusers are
located on the case, squeeze
the two diffusers together until
you hear an audible “click”.
NOTE: The removal and
refitting of the small exhaust
diffusers is carried out in
exactly the same way as the
large exhaust diffusers.
NOTE: If the exhaust diffusers do
not securely clip together then
they may become detached and
lost. (If required, exhaust
diffusers may be purchased
separately).
WARNING: Do not attempt to use
tools to remove or attach the
exhaust diffusers. After the removal
of the exhaust diffusers care must
be taken to prevent damage to the
exhaust valve. Do not attempt to
poke, pull or touch the exhaust
valve or surrounding area with any
tools. If damage to this part or Shaded area indicates exhaust
valve and surrounding area.
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