Introduction - Aqua Lung APEKS TX 50 Technical Manual

INTRODUCTION

This manual provides factory prescribed procedures for the correct
service and repair of the Aqua Lung
described in this manual. It is not intended to be used as an instructional
manual for untrained personnel.
The procedures outlined within this manual are to be performed only by
personnel who have received Factory Authorized training through an
Aqua Lung Service & Repair Seminar. If you do not completely under-
stand all of the procedures outlined in this manual, contact Aqua Lung to
speak directly with a Technical Advisor before proceeding any further.
Warnings, Cautions, & Notes
Pay special attention to information provided in warnings, cautions and
notes that are accompanied by one of these symbols:
WARNINGS indicate a procedure or situation that may
result in serious injury or death if instructions are not
followed correctly.
CAUTIONS indicate any situation or technique that will
result in potential damage to the product, or render the
product unsafe if instructions are not followed correctly
and could subsequently result in injury to the user.
NOTES
are used to emphasize important points, tips and reminders.
Scheduled Service
If the regulator is subjected to less than 50 dives per year, it is
permissible to overhaul it every other year with an inspection
procedure being performed on the "off" years. For example:
Year #1: Inspection
Year #2: Overhaul
Year #3: Inspection
Year #4: Overhaul, and so on.
Both Inspections and Overhauls need to be documented in the Annual
Service & Inspection Record in the back of the Owner's Manual to keep
the Limited Lifetime Warranty in effect. If a regulator is subjected to more
than 50 dives per year, it should receive the complete overhaul.
NOTE: A unit that receives heavy or frequent use, such as rental,
instruction, or commercial applications, should be serviced at least
twice a year - or more often - depending on the conditions of use
and the manner in which it is maintained. (Refer to the care and
maintenance procedures outlined in the Regulator Owner's Manual.)
An Official Inspection consists of:
1. A pressurized immersion test of the entire unit to check
for air leakage.
2. Checking for stable intermediate pressure that is within
the acceptable range.
3. Checking for opening effort that is within the
acceptable range.
4. Checking for smooth operation of the control knob and
venturi switch.
5. A visual inspection of the filter for debris or discoloration.
6. A visual inspection of the exhaust valve to see that it is in
good shape and that it's resting against a clean surface.
7. A visual inspection of the mouthpiece looking for tears
or holes.
8. Pulling back hose protectors and checking that the hoses
are secure in the hose crimps.
If a regulator fails item #1,2,3 or 4, the entire regulator should be
overhauled. If a regulator fails 5,6,7 or 8, it will be up to the technician's
discretion whether or not a full overhaul is required.
/Apeks regulator products
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General Guidelines
1. In order to correctly perform the procedures outlined in this
manual, it is important to follow each step exactly in the order
given. Read over the entire manual to become familiar with all
procedures before attempting to disassemble the product in this
manual, and to learn which specialty tools and replacement parts
will be required. Keep the manual open beside you for reference
while performing each procedure. Do not rely on memory.
2. All service and repair should be carried out in a work area
specifically set up and equipped for the task. Adequate lighting,
cleanliness, and easy access to all required tools are essential for
an efficient repair facility.
3. As the regulator is disassembled, reusable components should
be segregated and not allowed to intermix with nonreusable parts
or parts from other units. Delicate parts, including inlet fittings and
crowns which contain critical sealing surfaces, must be protected
and isolated from other parts to prevent damage during the clean-
ing procedure.
4. Use only genuine Aqua Lung
overhaul parts kit for this product. DO NOT attempt to substitute an
Aqua Lung /Apeks part with another manufacturer's, regardless of
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any similarity in shape or size.
5. Do not attempt to reuse mandatory replacement parts under any
circumstances, regardless of the amount of use the product has
received since it was manufactured or last serviced.
6. When reassembling, it is important to follow every torque
specification prescribed in this manual, using a calibrated torque
wrench. Most parts are made of either marine brass or plastic, and
can be permanently damaged by undue stress.
7. In order to make the regulator compatible with nitrox up to
40% O2 (EAN40) after maintenance, the regulator must be
properly cleaned, lubricated and assembled using genuine Aqua
Lung® /Apeks replacement parts. In addition, assembly must
be carried out in a clean environment using powderless, latex
gloves or equivalent. For more detailed information, be sure to
read Procedure A: Cleaning and Lubrication at the back of
this manual.
General Conventions
Unless otherwise instructed, the following terminology and techniques
are assumed:
1. When instructed to remove, unscrew, or loosen a threaded
part, turn the part counterclockwise.
2. When instructed to install, screw in, or tighten a threaded
part, turn the part clockwise.
3. When instructed to remove an o-ring, use the pinch method
(see illustration below) if possible, or use a brass or plastic o-ring
removal tool. Avoid using hardened steel picks, as they may dam-
age the o-ring sealing surface. All o-rings that are removed are
discarded and replaced with brand new o-rings.
Pinch Method
Press upwards on sides of o-ring to
create a protrusion. Grab o-ring or
insert o-ring tool at protrusion.
4. The following acronyms are used throughout the manual: MP is
Medium Pressure; HP is High Pressure; LP is Low Pressure.
5. Numbers in parentheses reference the key numbers on the
exploded parts schematics. For example, in the statement,
"...remove the o-ring (7) from the crown (8)...", the number 7 is
the key number to the crown o-ring.
/Apeks parts provided in the
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