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Post by tomcatpc on Oct 6, 2015 20:11:28 GMT -8
 I was looking for a second 1960's/1970's vintage 2nd stage to use as an "octopus" on my US Divers Conshelf XI project I was working on. I knew that there was a 2nd stage Calypso-J at a local dive shop, so after class today I drove over. The 2nd stage was still there and whilst looking around for a use BCD Inflator hose to use for another modern project, I ended up finding the original 1st stage for the Calypso-J. The 2nd Stage was priced at around $25...the 1st stage was thrown in free... Sort of what prices I've seen online. Yes, the yoke screw is bent a bit, but that does not hinder attaching to a tank valve. I hooked both up to a tank and it works... Thanks Mark |
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Post by nikeajax on Oct 7, 2015 8:37:07 GMT -8
Mark, this is what I refer to as the Calypso-2.5... It's a balanced flow through piston regulator. The way you can tell it's a piston is that there are equalization ports on the side of the reg.: these holes allow the piston to move back and forth freely. The placement of the LP and equalization ports let you know what kind of regulator it is. For instance, we know my Scuba Star is flow-by piston because of the port placement:  the flow-by ALWAYS has the configuration reversed! The equalization ports are at the end cap/bonnet, and the LP ports are on on the shoulders, whereas your LP ports are on the end, and EQ ports on the shoulders... A flow-through is considered more efficient BTW! As for balancing, we can't tell that until we explore the guts:  The way you know this Sportsways/Water Lung is balanced is if you look at the end first stage, upper left, you will see an o-ring, look carefully, right in the center where the piston goes. Piston regs can be adjusted, some like my C-VI have an insanely complex mechanism that can only be adjusted while there is no air pressure in the first stage. So you play with it, on... off... on... Your's on the other hand is adjusted by adding shims or washers between the piston and the spring. JB |
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Post by tomcatpc on Oct 7, 2015 19:06:15 GMT -8
I used this 2nd stage today as an octo. on my Conshelf XI. On the last 20 min. of today's dive I tried it out. The 2nd stage works just great. But will need to swap out the hose, which is no big deal.
Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Dec 21, 2015 22:43:44 GMT -8
Update on this. I checked out a vintage Scuba online shop today and found out that one of the new items they are selling is a parts kit for the Calypso-J 1st Stage for under $10. I think that taking this apart and refurbishing it will be a Winter project for me this year.
Another thing about this reg. Please check out the yoke screw in the photo and notice how it is bent. I can get it tight enough to be used and it works. But I'd love to find a replacement (or have a shot are straightening it out with a vise, etc., but not sure that would work?). Are the US Divers yoke screw with the "tire" knob difficult to find?, or just one of those find one at the right time and place thing?
Thanks
Mark
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Post by technidiver on Dec 22, 2015 8:30:41 GMT -8
Gosh, I would love to have an LDS that deals with vintage scuba gear like your LDS does. I walked into my LDS and one of the dive masters told me "What was that piece of junk you were trying to service? Those things belong in museums!". He chuckled after he said it, and I was mildly embarrassed.
TD
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Post by tomcatpc on Dec 22, 2015 12:23:58 GMT -8
I had to look around for shops and get to know people before I came right out and said I gravitate more towards older gear...
The shop where I got my Open Water Cert. at really could care less about vintage gear. I was low on cash at the time and just had the cash to get into the water and get certified. They wanted to sell me mega cash gear...guess the owner "sized me up" and knew he was not going to make much money off of me and kind of just got me certified and parted ways. If go in there today I don't feel a raport or comradery, just sort "what do you need now" comment and that is it.
Now, there is a shop about 30 miles away from where I live and when I can't stand Toledo any longer (which is a lot...LOL) I take a drive there just to kill time and get out of town. This shop sells used gear and some of it is vintage... And the owner, even though he still wants to sell new gear, etc., they have no problem at all with vintage gear... Not sure they would "recommend" it to new divers, but if someone has an interest, they will not try and stop them.
I've found my share of neat stuff there, for good prices, plus I like the owners Husband and Wife team and don't feel uncomfortable just hanging out.
This Summer I walked into a local Tech. oriented Dive Shop in town. Once again, the owner sells mainly newer gear, but has no problem with using vintage kit as long as it in good nick. I've had a J-Valve and Conshelf XI 1st Stage rebuilt there so far. I think I could do those things myself, but at the time was in need of parts and tools, etc.
Not only do they "tolerate" me asking questions about vintage gear, a lot of the other Divers keep their eyes open for me...
Yes, I think I'm lucky with a couple of the local shops...
Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Dec 22, 2015 12:51:44 GMT -8
Technidiver...any sort of vintage Scuba kit you are needing or looking out for? I'll try and keep my eyes open for whatever.
Mark
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Post by technidiver on Dec 22, 2015 13:39:00 GMT -8
I'm looking into making a Jaws oriented kit (as diverdon has done). If you ever find a USD wraparound vintage mask for a good price, I'd be very interested in buying it. If I have any questions about where to get certain pieces of gear, I'll ask you. Happy Holidays to you all!  |
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Post by tomcatpc on Dec 22, 2015 14:32:43 GMT -8
I will keep that in mind.
Mark
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 22, 2015 16:12:19 GMT -8
Mark, the knobs on those came out of the factory bent... what, you don't believe me?  It's pretty rare that you find one straight: I have like four of those danged things, and only one is straight! I have one that I got with a box even, almost like new, but, yump, it's bented (bent)  JB |
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Post by tomcatpc on Dec 22, 2015 19:27:48 GMT -8
Well it works, if I find one in good shape...might as well just buy the reg. it comes with anyway...LOL!
Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Dec 24, 2015 1:02:26 GMT -8
It is 4AM on Christmas Eve. and nothing was stirring, except for me, who got online at VDH and ordered a 1st Stage Rebuilt Kit for a 1960's Calypso-J Regulator...
Merry Christmas everyone on Vintage Scuba Forum
Mark
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Post by diverdon on Dec 24, 2015 3:14:35 GMT -8
Nice! Take some pics as you go and post a few. Sounds like a fun project!
Merry Christmas buddy!
DD
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Post by tomcatpc on Jul 31, 2016 21:01:23 GMT -8
This seems to be the week for finding yokes for vintage regs.? First my Mistral and Conshelf XI are back to original and now I have a replacement yoke screw for my Calypso-J Reg. Not a big deal, but I'm happy.
Mark
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It's pretty rare that you find one straight: I have like four of those danged things, and only one is straight! I have one that I got with a box even, almost like new, but, yump, it's bented (bent) 
