The Apeks 5th Port Upgrade adds a fifth low-pressure 3/8-24 UNF port (that is the standard LP port size) to your Apeks FSR or FST first stage, offering more versatility in terms of hose routing. This 5th port upgrade is only suitable for the Apex FSR or FST model first stages manufactured after September 2012 with the new metallic decal and is not compatible with any other first stage regardless of brand or model. This particular version incorporates a heat exchanger, which is an additional safeguard against freezing. Full installation instructions are included with the kit, see Product Attachment tab above, but Dive Gear Express recommends the upgrade be performed by a service technician trained to service Apeks products.

When the 5-Port Upgrade kit is ordered together with any of our "DGX Custom" regulator packages or DGX Maintenance Service that include an Apeks FSR first stage, a Dive Gear Express service technician trained to service Apeks products will optionally install the upgrade kit at no additional charge.

The kit does not include a low-pressure port plug; the assumption being an LP hose will immediately be installed in the new port. After installing a 5th Port Upgrade if you later need to reconfigure the hoses, you must simultaneously use an {3/4" | 19mm} or adjustable open-end wrench to hold the balance plug in place while using a different tool to remove the port plug or LP hose, especially if the port plug or hose was over-torqued when originally installed. If you don't, then when removing the port plug or hose from the 5th port more than likely the balance plug is going to loosen.