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Post by SDM on Sept 20, 2004 15:37:15 GMT -8
There has been considerable discussion on this board regarding the UDS and the ABS diving systems by US Divers. Lots of "I think," "I thought," and "I believe" about these units.
It is time to establish a definitive document for future reference and discussions regarding these systems. Lets begin with the UDS units. Therefore:
UDS:
1974
The UDS was introduced in the 1974 US Divers Catalog on pages 4 and 5. Page 4, 2/3s of the page was devoted to a color picture of the unit; likewise on page 5, 1/4 of the page was devoted to a picture. The remainder of the two pages was devoted to verbage describing the unit.
UDS consisted of three cylinders of 3000 psi, 105 cuft, a special manifold, a regulator, a ProDiv SPG and a reserve system. The entire system was encased in a bright yellow thermoformed Cycolac plastic case. The entire unit was attatched to the diver via soft nylon straps, for the waist, crotch and shoulders. The weight belt buckel was USD Safe E Z #7116 which some on this board consider the best thing since sliced bread. Others do not share that opinion
It was sold as a complete unit. However no price was listed in the catlog.
US Divers did issue a seperate 6 page price list. the unit was listed on page #1 as part # 1093 UDS complete, $499.00
1975 (UDS-1)
Once again two complete color pages were devoted to this unit. Although the UDS first appears on page 6 and 7 it is the first product to be featured in the catalog. Pages 1 to five are devoted to JYC, PC and JJC
The cosmetic appearance is the same as the UDS. All changes were devoted to a new ProDive1 SPG, and a moldable mouthpiece for the regulator.
It was also indicated that the case was of Thermoformed "ABS" for superior impact resistance. (?)
Once again the price is on a seperate 2 page price sheet. It is listed as part number 1093 UDS -1 System with a price increase to $599.00
1976 UDS-1
Once again listed on the very first page of the marketing portion of the catalog, page 6. Two color pictures of the front and rear of the unit is demonstrated. A very brief description of the unit accompanies the pictures. There are no apparent changes to the system, either functional or cosmeticly.
Once again a seperate price liist was issued. the unit was listed as UDS-1 #1093 $696.50 (YES $696.50)
1977
UDS -1 was once again placed on the very first page of the catalog, but in reality page 7. Full page , two views, with a sales pitch.
As with others a seperate price list was issued and once again it is listed but with a stock number change of UDS-1 System, part number 1093-00 with a reduction in price of fifty cents to $696.00.
1978
No longer in the USD catalog and not listed in the USD closeout specials. Thus ends the saga of the UDS and UDS -1 by US Divers.
On a personal note:
I had the opportunity to dive the unit on a number of occasions. I was not as impressed as others seem to be.
One of the stong recomendations made to US Divers was to combine a PFD with the unit. Design and market as an acessory or as a componet of the UDS or even better possibly remove one of the cylinders to make room for a PFD. Higher powers, whom I suspect to be JYC & JJC, wanted it as it was designed and marketed.
I dove twin 44 (USD womens tanks or the early USN tripples) the majority of my life. The UDS was no comparison to these units, perhaps that was the problem in my impressions of the UDS.
I obtained a number of the RCM UDS shells from USD.
One shell I made into a holloween turtle costume for one of my children--but even after much cutting and modifing it was still to restrictive, so I tossed it .
Another shell I mounted on the back of the twin 44s. I was using a ScubaPro wings type PFD with a BP from a modified flat piece of metal, which I ran a 3/8 brass bolt through the entire unit to secure it. Used it once or twice and tossed it also.
Thus ends my stories of the UDS.
Tune in tomorrow for the exciting saga of ABS...
SDM, 30
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Post by pearldiver on Sept 20, 2004 15:52:35 GMT -8
Hi SDM, Want my thoughts on the unit? K. I had my eye on one of those units when they came out in 74. I loved the look, the weight was fine, and I loved it. But... the price tag was a bit steep. We were wreck diving with twin setups. It was cheaper to buy two sets of twin 72's, than that unit. We had to think of cf and depth as we were wreck diving the Wisconsin and the Milwaukee quite a bit. We already had our regulators, and we figured, why buy another one. BUt, just a thought for you and anyone who reads this, that is what we talked about and discussed among the divers. But, we sure liked them. Price, and not enough air were the weak points of it from a midwestern viewpoint. None of us really had a bc then, it was more like a snorkel vest modified. So re: a bc, we didnt' really know any better to see there was none with the USD unit.
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 20, 2004 21:42:44 GMT -8
Hi SDM, 'Glad you put together a thread on the UDS systems. I have had two dives recently (both weekends) with my UDS-1. The first was in the Clackamas River, and was a great dive. The second dive, to use up the last 1000 psi (I didn't use it all up in a 50 minute dive to 22 feet the weekend before), was in a local swimming pool to test some of my work on underwater swimming techniques. I've written a lot on the UDS-1 in different threads here, and one other forum. But let me summarize my experience, which is direct experience and not hear-say. I have a UDS-1, and I dive it. Right now, I've just broken it down to get visuals on the cylinders. I'll talk of the down-side, and why they were not successful first. The UDS-1 had several design defects unrelated to their design as a breathing machine. Here are the defects: --The unit was not well balanced as it was marketed. The valves are on the bottom of the unit, and without re-balancing using weights, the top tends to float off the diver's back and provide lots of resistance to normal swimming. --The harness system was a combination of the US system, with a waist strap, and the European (probably La Spirotechnique) system where no waist strap was used. Therefore, the when worn with the waist strap around the waist, they were too high. When worn normally, the waist strap was around the hips, and too low. --My UDS-1 came with one side of the handle cracked. I put an aluminum rod inside each section, and filled it in with epoxy to strengthen the handles. The handles were under-designed for the weight they needed to carry. --Two minor defects were incorporated in the design. These were problems servicing the UDS-1 system. Breakdown was hard (it took me 45 minutes Sunday to break down the system for the visuals). Also, filling required the use of a check valve on the filling hose. This check valve leaked, and made filling difficult because there was no way to fill a partially full UDS-1 system. After saying this, I will state emphatically that this is the best-designed breathing machine ever developed (that I am awaer of) for scuba. Here are the highlights: --The valve/regulator system is wonderfully designed. The valve openings are huge, allowing very low breathing resistance at very low tank pressures. --The harness system, when used in the European (Cousteau) manner with the weight belt serving as a waist strap, and a crotch strap hooking into the weight belt, works very well. It is even better with my own Para-Sea BC/harness that ties directly into hip straps works even better. --If about 8 pounds is placed on the top of the UDS-1 tanks, the system becomes balanced. As such, it then hugs the diver's back, and is very streamlined. I had it in high current without problems many times in the last several years. --The valves were very easy to control, and in reach. The J-valve is wonderfully designed, and gives me 400 psi within the entire system (it's set at 1000 psi for the reserve cylinder). The SPG is readily available, and is coming up from the bottom rather than down from the top, making it easier to see. So, saying this, I really like my UDS-1 and will continue to use it. Besides, it's fun to be asked whether I'm wearing a rebreather;) SDM, I also have a set of twin 42s, that I really like. Mine are the same diameter as a 72 steel tank, with indented bottoms which don't require a tank boot to stand up. They are 1800 psi cylinders too, rather than 2250. I use it with my double hose regs a lot. But I'm considering getting smaller diameter aluminum cylinders, to be more like the weight and size of the twin 40s we used in the US Air Force (converted 20 man life raft bottles). John
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Post by pearldiver on Sept 21, 2004 18:06:14 GMT -8
Neat photos. I am curious. Doesn't adding 8 pounds to the pack top make you fall back when you are like on an anchor line, or trying to stay at the surface? I see also you are wearing a BC. How does that work with the USD1? It looks like it is under the tank set up somehow. And one more question. How much does that weigh? Cool.
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 21, 2004 21:35:51 GMT -8
Neat photos. I am curious. Doesn't adding 8 pounds to the pack top make you fall back when you are like on an anchor line, or trying to stay at the surface? I see also you are wearing a BC. How does that work with the USD1? It looks like it is under the tank set up somehow. And one more question. How much does that weigh? Cool. Pearldiver, The eight pounds on top really doesn't affect the orientation that much. It's only a few inches that you go from straight vertical to having the CG over your waist, so that is not much of a problem. The only time it is happens when you don't have your fins on, and then with my Para-Sea BC inflated, I tend to be face up. The BC is my own design, which I patented in 1986 and call the Para-Sea BC (patent #4,623,316 if you want to look it up). I use a modified parachute harness, and so the only belt around my waist is my weight belt (which I was not wearing in that photo). The UDS-1 was modified by removing the crotch and waist straps, and substituting a diagonal strap which went from the top shoulder connector to the opposite side, through a look in the bottom of the opposite shoulder strap, and connecting into the harness at the hip connector. It is a four-way attachment system (two shoulder straps, and two diagonal straps that connect into the hip connector of my Para-Sea BC harness. The Para-Sea BC is a wrap-around, front-mount BC. It is not directly attached to the UDS-1, and the UDS-1 can be taken off without taking off the Para-Sea BC. The spec sheet that came with the UDS-1 says: "Dimensions: 26 1/2 inches length; 18 1/2 inches width; 6 inches deep. Weight: 56 pounds plus weight of air, 7.75 pounds. Buoyancy: 6.7 pounds negative when full, 1.2 pounds positive when empty." Add the 8 pounds I put on the top, and you get the total weight. John
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 27, 2004 22:13:09 GMT -8
SDM,
I think a lot of us are waiting to hear from you about the ABS system, and its history. I hope my additions on the UDS-1 have not taken your wonderful narratives from us on this thread. I was simply trying to add my experience with that unique system.
John
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Post by SDM on Oct 1, 2004 7:03:17 GMT -8
[quote=SeaRat
I hope my additions on the UDS-1 have not taken your wonderful narratives from us on this thread. I was simply trying to add my experience with that unique system.
John[/quote]
Good gosh NO! I certainly enjoy reading your posts also.
I only would only hope that more would join in with opinions/ experiences on the units.
I fear we just might as well be writing about the back side of the moon for a majority of the members who have never seen or experienced these units. It is therefore, I am certain, enlightening for many that you post pictures and breakdowns of the items as well as your recent personal evaluations and opinions.
Keep up the good work!!
SDM 30
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Post by SeaRat on Oct 7, 2004 22:30:55 GMT -8
I just spent about two hours trying to put my UDS-1 back together again; this is one of the major problems with this system. I needed to get a visual on the cylinders, so 'had to break it down. Well, more when I have it together again (I'm about half way there).
John
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Post by SeaRat on Oct 9, 2004 11:01:21 GMT -8
I just got my UDS-1 put together, and it has been pressurized to 550 psi to check for leaks. It's holding, so I'll be taking it to the LDS for a fill.
I have about 4 hours into the assembly, of this unit. It takes that long because I only have done this once every year to year and a half. I now have a much better idea of how to do it, so it won't take me that long next time. I'm probably going to put together a breakdown procedure, just for myself, so I won't have to go through this trial and error again. I had to put it together and take it apart about three different times to get it right.
But it's together again, and now I can enjoy diving it for another year.
John
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Post by Ron Hearn on Dec 28, 2004 16:34:40 GMT -8
Hi seaRat
Great article on the UDS system by US divers. I have a question I've had one of these system in my collection since 2000, I noticed that when the dylinders are dharged I have a leak ariund the pistin o-ring in the manifold.I've tried everywere to get this specific o-ring but just can't find one, do you have any extra rings or no some one who can help me out.
Thank You
Ron HearnTEXT
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 28, 2004 23:55:11 GMT -8
Hi Ron,
I think you are talking about that huge one that is in the first stage for the piston/diaphragm. I have only the one that comes with my UDS-1, so I cannot help you with it.
If it is this O-ring, then simply filling the system should not cause a leak. The first stage is not pressurized until the knob is opened. I have taken mine underwater in a pool and taken the cover off while under water to check for leaks. That is the best way to identify them. I was very surprised that I had only one minor leak, and it was a hose leak, on my UDS-1 when I first tested it.
There are two things to do. First, take the piston out, and take the O-ring off. Lubricate it for a few days with silicone grease (to absorb the grease), then wipe it clean. If you don't feel any imperfections in the O-ring, clean the valve and replace it. See if that takes care of the problem.
If not, and the O-ring does need replacing, I would take it to a hydraulic shop and ask them to match the O-ring with one from their catelogs. there should be something built, as I doubt that US Divers Co. had them specially made for the UDS-1.
SeaRat
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Post by Ron Hearn on Dec 29, 2004 14:35:35 GMT -8
Thanks SeaRat
I'll do just as you described and see if that takes care of the problem.
Ron
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Post by Ron Hearn on Jan 16, 2005 20:52:55 GMT -8
Hi
Yet another problem with my UDS system, looks like the in line check valve is leaking, is there anyway of installing an after market commercial check valve or does any one have any extras originals.
Thanks
Ron
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Post by John C Ratliff on Jan 22, 2005 13:53:55 GMT -8
Ron,
I've been told that the check valve was a problem from the beginning. My UDS-1 also has a leaking HP check valve. But I see a positive benifit to that too. That leaking check valve makes it impossible for salt water to migrate into the tanks through the HP filling hose. So I've elected not to try fixing that problem at this point. What I did was to not use the knurled knob, but to put a gauge base over the filling attachment, and have that keep the pressure in the hose. Once pressurized, with the way the knurled knob fitting worked, sealed with an O-ring, it was not possible to fill the set until all the pressure was released from the tanks. With the gauge attachment over it (I simply plugged the actual guage with a brass fitting), the pressure could be released easily, and filling could be accomplished with the tanks pressurized.
But I have developed a different problem, and that is that the HP hose fitting itself has started leaking. So now I may need to make some choices on the filling of the system. I can think of two possible solutions:
--Replace the hose, or have the area that's leaking re-fitted.
--Replace the entire filling system with a custom-made filling attachment.
I'm probably leaning toward the latter, and will replace the filling hose with a SS line which goes to a K-valve, and without the leaking check valve. That way, the UDS-1 could be filled in the normal way that all other systems are filled. I'm still toying with placement of the valve (proably at the top of the unit, to the left side), who to get to do the work, and see whether the costs associated with doing this make the project worth the price.
That's a lot of words to say that I really cannot help you with the check valve situation. But I wanted you to know a little of what I'm experiencing now.
SeaRat
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Post by Ron Hearn on Jan 22, 2005 14:13:22 GMT -8
Thanks for the information SeaRat
Since my last post we have re designed the filling hose with a new 6000 PSI hose and a new 5000 PSI check valve located in line and a custom made filling yoke. I can now say for sure the system is three times better than its original design. Now I still have one good filling hose used but good, if your interested it yours all you will have to do is change the pin tire valve.
Ron Hearn
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