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Post by tomcatpc on Sept 26, 2015 21:24:26 GMT -8
Hello A while back I came across this US Divers Conshelf XI regulator. It needed to have another yoke, and the HP Seat was leaking. I finally got around to locating a yoke that will let me use this reg. (no where near "correct" for the reg, but I don't care right now) and I have a HP Seat. I'm going to take this to a local dive shop and have the first stage worked over and get it up and running for next Summer.  I plan on using this as a my normal reg. by finding another second stage for an alt. air source, I have an SPG with hose adapter, and going to get a BC hose. The reason for this is...my Wife is considering taking up Diving this Winter and if she ends up liking it, then she can use my modern US Divers Titan reg. setup. Until she gets sorted out, then I can use this Conshelf. But that is getting ahead of things. I've heard good things about the Conshelf series of regulators. This new yoke I have looks like it is the version that I've seen on the Conshelf XII and later? Sort of a hybrid Conshelf now... Anyway...my new project. I'm sure I'll have more to ask as things go ahead. Mark |
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 26, 2015 22:02:05 GMT -8
Mark, go to this site and download the USD manual: www.dropbox.com/sh/7b98n5z95jsjqrw/AACUEXj8_FqWEdjRM218gOqMa?dl=0They're really not that hard to work on my friend. The trick to adjusting the first stage is to backing the adjuster all the way out until it's not in contact with the spring, and slowly turn it in. Please note, you also need a pressure gauge to set the IP (inter-stage/intermediate pressure), you also want to keep the second stage on it to act as an over pressure relief so as not to blow up your gauge  Looking at the manual can be a bit intimidating until you know what you're looking at, but once you do, they all work on only a handful of methods... This is why you it's fun to take 'em apart and learn to make 'em work! Jaybird |
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Post by herman on Sept 27, 2015 2:54:36 GMT -8
If you have IP creep, odds are pretty good its' not the HP seat leaking, the balance chamber orings are often the problem but it's not an issue since they are part of a rebuild kit. If you are basing your assumption on a second stage free flow, its' highly likely the second stage is the issue. The Conshelf is a very stable reg and requires little attention. Functionally, the older Titan (2009 and earlier) is exactly the same reg inside, it just has a different looking outer appearance, same exact service kit. Matter of fact, the same internal parts are also used in the DH RAM and almost all other AL/USD balanced diaphragm regs, the only difference being a few orings for the external ports. If you can work on 1 USD reg, you can work on them all. All of the regs are easy to service and with 1 exception no special tools are needed, that tool being a HP assembly tool. You can do it without it but it's a pain to do so. Besides the service manual, VDH has rebuild kits for both the first and second stages. If you have any interest in DIY servicing, the Conshelf is a good choice....and once you do, your Titan will be easy....same internal design.
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Post by tomcatpc on Sept 27, 2015 10:08:52 GMT -8
I've already had this one checked out at the shop and the HP Seat needs replacing. I ordered the very last HP Seat from Vintage Double Hose, the Titan/Conshelf First Stage Kits were out when I ordered the yoke and HP Seat. My local dive shop bloke has the other parts needed already...I think I'll let him get this one up and going.
At this stage I can handle putting a Mistral (and by default I guess a Jet Air as well) back together, and possibly a Voit 50 Fathom (if they are a one stage reg. like the Mistral?)? But on this one... I am going to have this one done by someone who knows already. I could see putting one together in the future though...
As for the record...I'd like to see my next regulator be a US Divers "Jet-Air", I just like how they look, plus I think I could work on that myself. Maybe one day I'll look for a Healthways Single Hose?, who knows? Just thinking ahead.
Mark
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Post by herman on Sept 27, 2015 10:45:26 GMT -8
Not to be question them but unless they opened up the reg there is no way they can make that call and even then unless the damage is obvious it's a 50/50 chance on which is the culprit.....I do a lot of USD/AL regs
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 27, 2015 14:24:01 GMT -8
Mark, if ya ain't gunna use it fer a while, then you should do it yourself: dang, if ya really eff it up, just send it to me, an' I'll fix it fer ya... it's rocket-science, not brain-surgery  Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one, but seriously, YOU CAN DO THIS MARK! With people like Charlie, John, Herman and me, we'll get'cha where ya need to be  Read this post: vintagescuba.proboards.com/thread/3790/resurfacing-valve-seatsJaybird |
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 27, 2015 15:10:58 GMT -8
Like use the force eh...  JB |
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Post by tomcatpc on Oct 6, 2015 20:13:55 GMT -8
This regulator has been sorted out and hoping to take it diving tomorrow (today at this point).
Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Oct 7, 2015 19:04:46 GMT -8
The Conshelf XI did just fine today!!! Not bad for a reg. that was most likely made around the time I was (1970).
I had some drama with an SPG that I had on the reg., but was able to swap out the leaky one with the modern one on my AL Titan reg.
I also used the 2nd stage from my Calypso-J as an octo.(the original purpose I bought it for). On the last 20 min. of the dive I used it. It did just fine as well. But I will have to swap out the hose do to a leak that was detected at the end of the dive. Not a big deal.
Mark
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Post by SeaRat on Oct 7, 2015 22:05:53 GMT -8
Mark,
I'm really happy for you and your diving. The Calypso is a really great regulator. I have used it in the USAF, and on my personal dives as well. Well done!
John
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 2, 2016 11:26:19 GMT -8
The Conshelf XI in actual use. Not that you can tell details... Mark  |
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Post by technidiver on Jun 2, 2016 16:16:01 GMT -8
Glad you used your reg today! I just went for a quick test dive (snorkelling) with my 30 year old Aqua Craft weight belt. I might get a Calypso as a octopus because it sounds like a good idea. It's a reliable reg like the conshelf, so it's perfect for an octo.
TD
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 2, 2016 19:29:28 GMT -8
I did the same thing, trying to use a Calypso 2nd stage as an octo. I knew where one was, and whilst looking through the pile of old J-Valves, etc. lo and beheld was the Calypso-J 1st stage as well. The shop owner threw that in as free... I done the Conshelf last year once at the end of the season. Over the Winter I located a "loose" Aquarius 2nd stage to use as an octopus for the Conshelf (same 2nd stage, just different decal on the purge). Ended up putting the Calypso-J back together and will try it out in open water next time. I'm planning on using it without an octopus.
Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Jul 21, 2016 20:43:31 GMT -8
Really starting to use this reg. as my "primary" regulator. Hoping to find a standard Mistral yoke so I can put the Conshelf XI back to original condition.
Mark
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Post by sitkadiver on Jul 22, 2016 23:24:35 GMT -8
There's a good thread on VDH that Ron put up. Pretty much my reference for all things Conshelf: vintagedoublehose.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7504I have a Conshelf XII. Mine is he early one, with a yoke nut and not the later C-clip. I only had the first stage from a box of yard sell and so I added a Titan second stage. This reg is set up like you're describing: The Titan, a drysuit inflator hose and the SPG console. I don't dive a BC or an octo most of the time. Pg. 3 of the above thread shows photos and a short video I shot while diving the Titan, and I do not have any video or photos from yesterday's dive in the harbor, but I used this reg to recover a lost pistol and made a hundred bucks! so it's already paid for itself. |
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Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one, but seriously, YOU CAN DO THIS MARK! With people like Charlie, John, Herman and me, we'll get'cha where ya need to be 
