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Post by admin on Oct 2, 2009 17:24:31 GMT -8
Michael Story of Burleson Texas recently sent me a new two hose regulator body that he's been working on for the last 2 years or so. It is to be used with the existing US Divers AquaMaster or Royal AquaMaster parts and the main purpose of this new body is to supply the much needed auxiliary high pressure and low pressure ports that so many people like to have on their regulator. The new body is machined from solid brass and is three inches in diameter and approximately 3/4 inch thick (the portion that is visible on the outside of the regulator). There are four LP ports and one HP port- all positioned so that you can run your underwater pressure gauge, BC hose and back up regulator in the traditional fashion. Michael designed this new body to use currently available AquaLung Titan parts and parts from your original AquaMaster body. The Titan parts include a modern 3000-4000 psi rated yolk and fully balanced 1st stage with new spring block and Teflon high pressure seat. The second stage parts including low pressure seat and seat holder, horseshoe lever, locks, etc are original AquaMaster. The unit is designed as a kit and so the purchaser will be responsible for obtaining the needed parts and assembling the unit. As I understand, each "kit" will come with the main body, a tank yolk and first stage push pin. He may supply all the first stage parts depending on if a source can be found. My pre-production unit (stamped "Patent Pending #5") arrived unchromed but I believe the production ones will be fully chromed and polished. Upon assembly, the first problem I had was a poor fit of the top box to the body. One aligning tab cut out on the body was a little off and so I had to take out the Dremel and grind a little for a proper fit. Michael has assured me that this problem with be solved in the production units. Overall the machining is very clean and clearly a lot of time and thought has gone into this project. After that, assembling the regulator was pretty straightforward with little difficulty. In the water, it breathed with the best of them, giving large volumes of air with low breathing resistance. Since it's basically a Royal AquaMaster with added ports, you can be assured of an excellent design and high reliability. You can contact Michael at singlestarrepublic@sbcglobal.net for more information.    |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2009 20:09:36 GMT -8
Note to all: Dan's comment concerning the alignment tab notches has been corrected. This correction was made by increasing the diameter of the drill bit and recentering so the actual notch was of larger circumference (sp).....one of those issues with prototypes that come up........I understand the other evaluator did not have this alignment problem, however I had my machinest make the adjustments anyway.... These kits should be available in Nov or Dec. These are DIN compatable for the Titan Yoke-DIN converter, available from your local AL LDS or you can use the screw-in DIN valve button, which is available also from Single Star Republic. Advantages of this unit are: DIN compatiable, 4 LP ports useable, 1 HP port useable, height is nominal vs the RAM w original HP nozzle, IE: will fit between a standard backpac and the tank. Clean, uncluttered look to the total regulator. Mossback Below are two photos of the second test dive back in June, of the 1st test unit.   |
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Dale
Pro Diver
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Post by Dale on Oct 3, 2009 7:46:31 GMT -8
Very cool, looks like you did a great job on this new body. Any idea on price yet?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2009 17:10:31 GMT -8
Very cool, looks like you did a great job on this new body. Any idea on price yet? Dale, I am estimating a complete kit price of $245.00...this includes the yoke, yoke nut, all the new HP parts, IP diaphgram and washer. All other parts come from your original 1st stage body. I will sell this also as an uncomplete kit as Dan originally stated in his evaluation. Price $215.00. per kit.....you can use your own original HP and IP parts or buy them new (You must buy a volcano cone for the HP nozzle and yoke nut) Unless Dan has changed his mind, he will assemble any kit for the buyer if this is needed......he will have to give you the price....... |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2009 14:16:53 GMT -8
There have been many questions about this new valve body on other forums......I thought I'd answer those here as well. This 1st stage body has ports for the bc at 11 oclock (looking from the yoke) and at 9:30 oclock. A short bc hose is prefered unless you're a tall person or have a long torso.....22 to 26 inches is best......if you use the 930 position you could use a longer bc hose. The right side has two LP ports, one for an octo and the other lower one for a dry suit if needed. Highpressure port is on the left side below the 930 port position. The 1st stage body measures from the back of the can to the face of a tank valve 1 3/8 inches.......much shorter than the current accepted Multi Port Nozzle many divers are now using. These improvements make a DA/RAM a little more flexiable for a diver, especially if they wish to dive from a charter boat, dive club, etc. where all the modern attachments are required. Here are some additional photos: BP 11 oclock hose port  BC 930 oclock port position  Distance from tank valve face to back of can measured.  |
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Post by admin on Oct 6, 2009 21:56:36 GMT -8
Yes, I will be happy to assemble this kit for those who need it. Price will depend on what labor is required.
Dan
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Post by Michel on Oct 7, 2009 12:29:35 GMT -8
Brilliant!
Congratulations gentlemen, American genius at it's best.
I think a fully chromed finished product with the Conshelf yoke will
blend in superbly with the shiny chrome of the late am and ram bodies
and show a real linear evolution of what USD should have done to the 2 hose. I also think the round geometry blends well, I always wondered why the Phoenix boys had not done it that way(not that their rig is bad, on the contrary).
Question: are the drill holes on the sides to reduce weight or simply part of the manufacturing process?(on the underside). And will the rubber washer/seal be like the original or will it cover the full underside of the base?
More talk later, again bravo!!!!!
Michel A.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2009 14:25:38 GMT -8
Michel
The bottom holes are indeed for saving weight......however, I have been informed by my highly experienced and knowledgeable evaluators that this is not needed.......along with the other two under the lever....
The first 14 are with lightening holes........the balance will not have these.......
The standard flat seal will work with this as is.......a special one is not needed..........
thanks for your comments......they are appreciated.......
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Post by Michel on Oct 8, 2009 5:33:47 GMT -8
Any thoughts on a new
'name' possibility or shall it remain 'Multi-Port Body'?
Any chance of you posting schematics/drawings to show internals and
details of the porting and conduit sizes, the manufacturing process
would be interesting to view for the technical among us.
On a lighter note: don't ever suggest it might be adaptable to a
Broxton or Chuck might go ballistic!!!
Cheers,
Michel A.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2009 14:37:41 GMT -8
A name?.........hahaha.....no.....just the MB MK3 (Mossback Mark Three)
Since this replaces the heart of the DA/RAM I am not sure how you could name this....maybe this "WTSHD"......What They SHould HAve Done.
This is, as I said, just a prototype of a future Mk4 1st stage for a regulator I have on the drawing board......THAT regulator is currently called the "Tortuga". Only time will tell if I am successful with that project. It's a big one.
No drawings, sorry, patent is pending.
Then again, I kinda like Dan's name for this......multi port....MB Mk3 multi port Ram?
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andyb
Regular Diver
Posts: 12
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Post by andyb on Oct 9, 2009 10:12:46 GMT -8
Is there any speacial way to sign up for one of these? Or a waiting list?
Cheers,
Andy
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Post by Broxton Carol on Oct 9, 2009 16:38:59 GMT -8
Michel. A broXton is a piece of vintage gear, not a modern reg like an aquamaster, or royal! If I were a guy or gal, who dives where the regulations require air supplied apparatus for the diver to comply with all the modern BS I would get one in a minute! I like the naval bronze look, just like my banjos! I still dive my broXton, and usually have along only my weight belt! If Im far out in open water Ill bring my horsecollar, as Im not a strong swimmer. With Mikes outfit, you can do whatever you like, and play by the "rules" when necessary! As we used to say back in the 60's "SUPERCOOL"!
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Post by scubadiverbob on Oct 10, 2009 9:42:01 GMT -8
Here's my problem ... I'm broke. Andrew grew and I had to get him new booties and fins. So, if you need anyone to test this out, I'll throw one on my DA and check it out for you; for free. I'd need the whole kit ...
Someday, maybe after 2012, the economy will get better and I'll be able to get one. Sorry, I don't currently have enough funds.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2009 12:29:09 GMT -8
Is there any speacial way to sign up for one of these? Or a waiting list? Cheers, Andy The cost of finishing these right now is holding me up. Chroming and procurement of the internal parts is the reason. I am thinking that perhaps if there are at least 10 people interested and they are willing to put up a $100 dollar deposit I can finish these sooner than I was expecting. This deposit is for either kit order. The $100 deposit will be refunded if I do not receive at least 10 reservations. When the Mk3 multi-port bodys are ready to ship, I will notify the ten for final payment. NOTE: I only have 14 available this first go around. I will accept reservations from overseas as well. Email me at "singlestarrepublic@sbcglobal.net" if you want one. I will provide you payment instructions at that time. Michael |
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Post by scubadiverbob on Oct 19, 2009 13:01:33 GMT -8
Michael,
I saw one in use yesterday (so, you know who I was diving with). This looks GREAT! I really want one! (might be after income tax return). Since most of my diving is fresh water, the
un-chromed would work. This looks to me like it will fit with any backpack (that's something I asked you about).
Robert
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