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Post by tomcatpc on Mar 13, 2017 15:27:07 GMT -8
So far with the "entire three dives" I've done with my HW SCUBA, the exhaust diaphragm and "duckbill" I made from a yellow rubber glove have worked just fine. I think I have dove headfirst with it and had no major drama that I can recall. I think it works just fine for me? But if you lot can figure out a replacement exhaust that works and looks a bit more "professional" than what I did...totally awesome and I look forward to what might come out of this! Mark
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 13, 2017 17:28:37 GMT -8
JB,
This is why I like the Healthways original SCUBA regulator, because of the unique exhaust and it's very thin profile. The thin profile allows me to scoot the backpack up over the regulator, lowering the regulator in relation to my back and giving better performance. That, and the fact that this was my first regulator, ever, in 1959.
These regulators open science and physics up to people, including kids. Last year I took my jump tanks and Sherwood regulator into several classrooms. I told one to push the purge button without telling them what it did, and when air squirted out the mouthpiece, you should have seen the kid jump! Then I took the outer cover and diaphragm off, and let the kids push on the demand lever to see how it worked. I told them about the two stages on this regulator, then showed them the Healthways SCUBA regulator, saying that this regulator is an earlier one, which reduced the tank pressure to ambient pressure in one stage, not two. I explained the two hoses, and their functions. It made the physics of diving much more interesting to the kids.
By the way, I tried to find the Healthways patent on their SCUBA regulator design, as the label says, "Pat Pend" on it in small letters. But so far, I have not found it.
John
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Post by vance on Mar 13, 2017 19:02:22 GMT -8
I wonder how many Diver around the World are attempting to figure out ways to make Healthways SCUBA regs more "diveable"? Guessing this lot right here and that is it maybe? Mark Well, there's at least one other. He's the Red Sea guy who presented the innertube duckbill. That was a slick bit of adaptive engineering, but I'm not happy with the "adaptation". I want to produce a device (or devices) specifically designed to make this reg work, which doesn't look or feel like a "backyard" solution. I think we're on the way with the duckbill and are going to hit on a good membrane solution soon. The membrane might not be difficult, since a number of different materials are looking like they will be satisfactory.
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Post by vance on Mar 13, 2017 19:21:11 GMT -8
The thing I see is that the original duckbill had inferior sealing characteristics due to the wire clip used to secure it. I think, and this is only my opinion, that if a properly designed duckbill is glued in, ....creating a superior seal between it and the air horn. JB Hallelujah, bro. The above was edited at my whim. My apologies, JB! I think we might have the best solution to the duckbill issue right here. Adding nylon cloth and folding it over, jamming on the hose, and trying not to cut the silicone is needless bother. Let's just glue it in with RTV, eh?
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 13, 2017 22:39:36 GMT -8
A couple of weeks ago, I swam in the deep pool with my Healthways Hybrid regulator (original case, Gold Label innerds). Note how low with my twin 42 cubic foot tanks (PJ tanks) the regulator is on my back. I'm also wearing my Para-Sea BC, and my Farallon Fara-fins. Swimming with the Sea Turtle/Dolphin style, you can see that my exhalations seem to come from the middle of my back. The regulator, being extremely slim with the slim tanks, sits right under my shoulder blades and next to my skin. Later during this dive, I went over to the filters and "dejunked them," putting the junk into the front pocket of my BC. I off-loaded that "stuff" (hair, band-aides, and all sorts of other gunk, onto a seat and told the lifeguard where it was. The whole dive was without a duckbill in the exhaust, but using the original exhalation diaphragm. Everything was find in the sea turtle swimming phase, but when I began pulling out the "gunk" I got leakage into the exhaust hose. John John
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 14, 2017 10:12:03 GMT -8
So, John, isn't this a common propensity in DH-regs; or am I mistaken? Phil, could you please do a side-by-side head-down comparison with Divair: the configuration is nearly identical to the first gen Scuba JB
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 14, 2017 11:37:08 GMT -8
So, John, isn't this a common propensity in DH-regs; or am I mistaken? Phil, could you please do a side-by-side head-down comparison with Divair: the configuration is nearly identical to the first gen Scuba JB JB, I was attempting to show how small doubles ideally position a double hose regulator low on my back. Single tank divers usually have a higher, not so ideal, position. Additionally, the slim profile of the Healthways SCUBA regulator (first generation or hybrid) allows this position with smaller diameter tanks in comfort. John
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 14, 2017 12:39:41 GMT -8
Warren Burger stared at the man on the witness stand; he cleared his throat before continuing, "Your honor, the defendant is deliberately not answering the question..."
Judge Harkness pounded his gavel a few times to emphasize his point, "Mr. Ratliff, you will answer the question, or you'll be held in contempt of court!"Sorry John, just having a bit of fun is all: but don't some DH's tend to free flow in a head down position? JB
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 14, 2017 12:59:17 GMT -8
Warren Burger stared at the man on the witness stand; he cleared his throat before continuing, "Your honor, the defendant is deliberately not answering the question..."
Judge Harkness pounded his gavel a few times to emphasize his point, "Mr. Ratliff, you will answer the question, or you'll be held in contempt of court!"Sorry John, just having a bit of fun is all: but don't some DH's tend to free flow in a head down position? JB Only the Healthways original SCUBA regulator, but in the level or head-up position, and only if the exhaust diaphragm is replaced with a rigid, metal plate that cannot close off the exhaust horn by internal air pressure. In the head-down position, without the duckbill, the exhaust hose tends to fill with water in the Healthways original SCUBA regulator. Just clarifying the actual problems of the exhaust mods for the original Healthways SCUBA. John
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Post by Aquala1 on Mar 15, 2017 15:18:08 GMT -8
I'm completely ignorant here, but if I just wanted to make one work, without having to recreate the internal clip way of attaching the duckbill, could I just use a US Divers and fold it over the exhaust horn? Sorry if this is a stupid question.
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 15, 2017 17:15:43 GMT -8
Theoretically, yes, but it will need to be trimmed down to fit. I've never tried it personally, but John says it will work. HW-gear is lots of fun, and I hope you get the bug too JB EDIT: Good for you for asking: teaching and learning is what this site is about!
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Post by vance on Mar 15, 2017 18:17:57 GMT -8
I'm completely ignorant here, but if I just wanted to make one work, without having to recreate the internal clip way of attaching the duckbill, could I just use a US Divers and fold it over the exhaust horn? Sorry if this is a stupid question. There're no stupid questions here. We're all looking for a solution. I've used the flat ones from thescubamuseum.com. They need to be cut down and trimmed to fit. Mine is mostly the tube part. The space inside the horn is very limited. thescubamuseum.com/Online%20Store/onlinestore.htm#!/Duckbill-exhaust-valves-made-from-food-grade-silicone/p/68541002/category=20208401. I'm still waiting to test it. However, they are a little too big in diameter and tend to bunch up. I glued one side to the bottom of the horn at the diaphragm end hoping to get a seal, and glued the folded over part to the outside of the horn to keep it in place when the hose is pushed over it. We'll see. The ones from vintagedoublehose.com have a raised profile, which doesn't lend itself to sealing well. I'm currently experimenting with a homemade silicone duckbill which may work out, pending tests. Let us know of any sucesses!
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 16, 2017 17:15:02 GMT -8
I'm completely ignorant here, but if I just wanted to make one work, without having to recreate the internal clip way of attaching the duckbill, could I just use a US Divers and fold it over the exhaust horn? Sorry if this is a stupid question. The USD duckbill needs to be cut down so that the enTire duckbill will fit inside the exhaust tube. The flare needs to be removed for it to work. I have said this many times, but it bears repeating because the duckbill is a backup to the exhaust diaphragm. A perfect "seal" is not needed because the only purpose is to keep water from backing up into the exhaust hose in an inverted position. Almost anything will work, even the thumb off a glove. I have also experimented years ago with a mushroom valve from a Hope-Page mouthpiece inserted into the last convolution of the exhaust hose, although it does allow about an ounce of water into the hose, and increases exhaust resistance. John
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Post by tomcatpc on Mar 16, 2017 18:22:39 GMT -8
I am currently happy with using a rubber glove thumb/finger and it works just fine. However I love that people are working on making something that is purpose built for the SCUBA Regulator. It would be interesting to see the reaction to the rest of the vintage Scuba community when the Healthways SCUBA suddenly becomes more of a "viable option" when it comes to double hose regs? Oh, I don't know if that will ever happen? But it is great to see an interest at least on this page. Us Healthways Divers will probably always be the "One Percenters" of the Scuba World?!?! Mark
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Post by Aquala1 on Mar 16, 2017 20:10:06 GMT -8
Thanks guys, I was hoping that my question hadn't been asked before and thoroughly discussed, therefore annoying everyone with a "stupid" question. I had a Healthways Scuba reg 15 yrs ago, but sold it. Right now I wish I still had it.
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