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FLIGHT First Stage Regulator Maintenance ManualFLIGHT First Stage Regulator Maintenance Manual
Table 3 - Recommended Lubricants & Cleaners
LUBRICANT / CLEANER APPLICATION SOURCE
Christo-Lube
®
MCG-111
(Lubricant)
All ‘O’ Ring seals Apeks Marine Equipment Ltd
PN AP1495, or
Lubrication Technologies
310 Morton Street
Jackson, OH 45640, USA
(800) 477-8704
Biox
(Cleaning agent)
Biological immersion uid for reus-
able stainless steel and brass parts.
Solent Divers Ltd
122-128 Lake Rd, Portsmouth,
Hants, PO1 4HH
White distilled vinegar (100 gr.)
(Cleaning agent)
Acid bath for reusable stainless
steel and brass parts.
“Household” grade
Liquid dishwashing detergent diluted
with warm water
(Cleaning agent)
Degreaser for brass and stainless
steel parts; general cleaning solu-
tion for plastic and rubber
“Household” grade
CAUTION: Silicone rubber requires no lubrication or preservative treatment. DO NOT
apply grease or spray to silicone rubber parts (eg. Diaphragm, Exhaust Valves.) Doing so
may cause a chemical breakdown and premature deterioration of the material.
CAUTION: Do not use muriatic acid for the cleaning of any parts. Even if strongly diluted,
muriatic acid can harm chrome plating and may leave a residue that is harmful to ‘O’ Ring
seals and other parts
Cleaning & Lubrication Procedure
General Cleaning of all Parts
1. Place all metalic components in an ultrasonic cleaning bath containing an appropriate cleaning solution, such as Biox
2. All plastic and composite components such as diaphragm clamp and spring adjuster must be cleaned in soapy water.
3. The components should be cleaned for 6 minutes, depending upon their condition. Longer cleaning times may used if required.
4. Rinse the components in warm fresh water.
5. The components should then be blown dry or left to dry naturally.
Lubrication and Dressing
All ‘O’ Rings should be lubricated with Christo-Lube
®
MCG-111. Dress the ‘O’ Rings with a very light lm of grease, and remove any visible
excess by running the ‘O’ Ring between thumb and forenger. Avoid applying excessive amounts of Christo-Lube grease, as this will attract
particulate matter that may cause damage to the ‘O’ Ring.
Enriched Air Nitrox Use –
Outside EEC (European Economic Community) Countries 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 Nitrox EAN (O2 not 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 intention to use the regulator
interchangeably with breathing air, the breathing air should be oxygen-compatible or “hyperltered” where the condensed hydrocarbons do not exceed 0.1
mg/m3. Your local authorised Apeks dealer can help you determine whether the breathing air that they provide meets this criterion.
Standard compressed breathing air meeting the EN 12021 standard, often referred to as Grade E in the United States, does not necessarily meet this
criterion. Grade E or EN 12021 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. 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 into 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 or EN 12021
breathing air, it should be returned to an authorised Apeks dealer for overhaul service including oxygen 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.
Enriched Air Nitrox Use –
Inside EEC (European Economic Community ) countries EN 1443-3 and EN13949In CEE countries, diving with Nitrox/O2 is controlled by Standards EN
144-3 – Respiratory protective devices - Gas cylinder valves - Part 3: Outlet connections for diving gases Nitrox and oxygen - and EN 13949 – Respiratory
equipment - Open circuit self-contained diving apparatus for use with compressed Nitrox and oxygen - requirements, testing, marking.
NOTE : Apeks offers a range of regulators designed and manufactured specially for use with oxygen-enriched mixtures, over 21% and up to 100% oxygen.
This range has been certified according to the EN 144-3 and EN 13949 standards and meets the requirements of the adiabatic compression tests. They have
received CE certification for this type. For further information on this range, contact your Apeks specialist center.
WARNING : These regulators fitted with special connections should be used only with complementary equipment (tank valves, tanks, pressure gauges, etc.)
designed and prepared for use with an oxygen-enriched mixture. These items are marked Nitrox/O2.
WARNING: If the regulator that you use is fitted with a yoke or DIN connection, it is designed for use only with compressed breathing air (21% oxygen and 79%
nitrogen) which meets the EN 12021 standard. DO NOT USE this equipment with other mixtures or with gases containing more than 21% oxygen. Disregarding
this rule could result in serious injury or death caused by fire or explosion.
Every Nitrox/O2 regulator is assembled in a clean workshop, using compatible components and special lubricants. It is important to maintain the interior of the
regulator in a clean state. Breathing air used in the production of a mixture should be oxygen compatible and double filtered with a hydrocarbon content not greater
than 0.1 mg/m3. Your Apeks technical specialist should be able to help you determine if the breathing air he supplied meets these criteria.
WARNING: Please check the regulations regarding Nitrox in your particular country as this may dier
from Apeks standard policy.
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