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Post by sitkadiver on May 9, 2013 10:36:02 GMT -8
I just acquired a Sportsways Hydro Twin: I'm very picky about what I spend my money on, and when I saw this listed on E-Bay, a couple of things caught my eye. First, the chrome looked very good. As did the Label. Made me wonder if it had been taken very good care of, or simply not used very often. Attachment DeletedSecond, there was a repair tag still attached to the SPG. I could not help but wonder if the previous owner hadn't taken it to the shop for a tune-up and then left it sit on the shelf for many years. This SPG, which looks like a Sea View, is a only marked, "Marsh Instrument Company", and it's a bit heavier and larger than my Sea View. Attachment DeletedAnother interesting thing about his reg, is the exhaust valve. It's not a modern style mushroom valve, but a flat neoprene looking valve. I can't help but wonder if it's original to the reg. Attachment DeletedThe reg came to me without hoses, so I have added the USD hoses and straight mouthpiece. I plan to dive this reg tomorrow night. All I have done is wipe off the dust and check the diaphragm. Everything seems to be in very good condition and it breathes very well on the surface. haven't checked the IP yet, but I plan to do that before getting in the water. All of my other DH regs have been thoroughly rebuilt and have had the parts replaced throughout, so diving this reg in it's as found condition will be a new experience. Wish me luck. |
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Post by sitkadiver on May 9, 2013 10:42:39 GMT -8
I'm tempted to call the shop in Seattle where the reg was last services to see if they have any info on it. Wouldn't it be great if they knew the history? Attachment DeletedThe area code is different now than on the tag...... What the hey, I'm going to call them..... No answer.... Left a message. Also, it's a low serial number, 00172. I think the Hydro Twin II came out in '65, so I can't help but wonder how thousands of these were made. Attachment Deleted |
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Post by nikeajax on May 9, 2013 10:55:05 GMT -8
YOU DOG... Super boss! I hope you got a good price for it? Hmmm, looks like the top-can of a Healthways: I know they share a few parts too. I wonder who was using who's technology? Gosh, now maybe you can swap out that diaphragm between your New England Divers... now you can dive them both--ja?
Jaybird
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Post by nikeajax on May 9, 2013 11:15:18 GMT -8
DAVE, it just occurred to me! If they still be doin' business, these are the folks yer wantin' ta ask 'bout them ol' parts ya be lookin' fer, YAAAARRR!  Jaybird |
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Post by sitkadiver on May 9, 2013 13:08:59 GMT -8
DAVE, it just occurred to me! If they still be doin' business, these are the folks yer wantin' ta ask 'bout them ol' parts ya be lookin' fer, YAAAARRR! Jaybird Wow, quick thinking Jay. If I hear back from them, I will ask if they have any dusty old inventory they are looking to clear out. Also, looked up the area code split for 425. It went into effect on April 27, 1997. So, maybe this reg hasn't been wet in at least 15 years. |
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Post by nikeajax on May 9, 2013 13:30:49 GMT -8
AVAST--me hearty! Wrong area-code matey: Address: 13433 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98005 Phone:(425) 747-8842 Hours: Monday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Tuesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday 12:00–5:00 pm www.silent-world.com/If and when you get a hold of them, ask to talk to the captain, er ah--owner... this is VITAL!!!!!!!!!!!! Them youngens don't know bilge 'bout treasures... Aye, the cap'n knows where all the goods be layin'... Jaybird |
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Post by SeaRat on May 10, 2013 9:23:02 GMT -8
Dave, you have a great regulator. The Hydro Twin is a balanced first stage and downstream second stage with a venturi that was better than the Aquamaster. You will enjoy your dive. I also have one, and I'll get it out (I've got to go out and paint the shed today, so I'll take a look). I will also dive mine soon, and we can compare. I'll get you the serial number on it too. Jaybird, this is uniquely Sportsways. The can you speak of has a mushroom valve, but that's the only resemblence to the Healthways as this has a unique oblique (offset) setting to the other housing.  Hydro Twin mounted on a Dacor Nautilus system.  This is mine with a Healthways Hope-Page mouthpiece.  This photo shows the special slant to the cans. I was testing my exhaust systems with water.  Here is the parts breakdown, which may help you out. I think you have the original exhaust mushroom valve too. John |
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Post by sitkadiver on May 10, 2013 9:40:15 GMT -8
Johnn I did a search yesterday and re-read some of the post we had exchanged about my New England Divers reg, which is basically a Hydro-Twin.
We had made mention of it liking a slightly higher IP - My NE Divers seems to think the 150 mark is where it wants to be. Yesterday evening I went home and checked the IP on this reg and found it was at 180 !! I tuned it down to 140 and it still seems to breath fine. I'll be in the water tonight, so hopefully I can get some action photos up this weekend.
Also, did I ask you about your yoke screw? Is it an after market thing? Looks rather beefy in the older thread.
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Post by nikeajax on May 10, 2013 9:46:15 GMT -8
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Post by sitkadiver on May 10, 2013 10:16:16 GMT -8
Jay, those are the ones. Sam Lecoqc(sp?) worked for Healthways before starting Sportsways, so it wouldn't surprise me if he used many of the same supliers. Also, I use the The Scuba Museum often when researching regs and what not. He has a some very detailed photos of several regs. I downloaded this image of his New England Divers:  Do you notice the overpressure relief valve? Would that make this reg a Dual Air? My New England Divers reg is a Hydro Twin, so I'm wondering how long New England Divers bought regs from Sportsways and if they used Dual Airs, Hydro Twins and Hydro Twin II's over the course of several years. |
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Post by nikeajax on May 10, 2013 11:03:38 GMT -8
Dave, as far as you know, are there any differences between the NED and the Hydro? I'm pretty sure they just slapped a NED label on, but I may be wrong about that--is that correct?
BTW, I'm pretty sure Charlie has the above parts: why don'ch PM him and find out, he gave me a stellar deal on 'em!
Did'ja try that number I found--any luck?
Jaybird
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Post by sitkadiver on May 10, 2013 14:32:05 GMT -8
Jay,
All I know is what I have read on the internet forums. I have never seen a New England Divers catalog so that I could compare dates with what was in a Sportsways catalog.
As far as I know, New England Divers bought Sportsways DH regs and put a different label on them. That was it. Sportsways and New England Divers DH regs were exactly the same thing, except on had a yellow label and one a blue. Even my NED single hose reg is a Sportsways.
The reason I posted the pic from the Scuba Museum and asked that question is, the Hydro Twin was only offered for about a year. So it would make sense, that if New England Divers wanted to sell DH regs for a period of say 2, 3 or 4 years, then they would have relabled multiple models: ie. the Dual Air, Hydro Twin and Hydro Twin II. However, I have only heard of the Hydro Twin being a New England equivalent....
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Post by sitkadiver on May 10, 2013 14:43:49 GMT -8
Also, Dan used to have a photo of a Dual Air in his online museum under "Rare Regulators". I have seen the number 360, about 900 and 500 - 1200 reference the number of Dual Air regulators produced. If that's the case, and a the New England Diver reg in the photos is a Dual Air that was relabeled, then it is indeed a rare bird.
Anyway, I may be getting carried away now. It's not my reg and I'm not an expert, I was just curious. Hoepfully someone with more knowledge will step in and shed some light on New England Divers products.
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Post by kgehring on May 10, 2013 18:27:22 GMT -8
Attachment DeletedMarvel also had a relabeled version of the Sportsways double hose regulator. Marvel used a dull finish on their regulators. I would guess it was nickel and no chrome. Regulator is property of cg-45.com
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Post by nikeajax on May 12, 2013 9:22:19 GMT -8
Huh, what, wait... what the heck is a Dual-Air...  "What'choo talkin' 'bout Willis..."Jaybird |
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