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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 23, 2017 13:21:32 GMT -8
The Wife and I went to a local dive shop yesterday to get her a modern used BC and a high pressure hose for her SPG so she can dive this Summer. Automatically I started lurking about in the used gear section and finally asked the going rate for a Scubapro Mk. V first stage reg. that had been cached in the Tupperware box full of neglected J-Valves, and other chingaderas. $5 later I walk out with my gateway item into Scubapro... I think I will be looking for a Scubapro 108 2nd stage in the future? What I understand this reg. was in production from circa 1966-ish until 1977-ish? Anyway, for the price I could not leave it there and looking forward to yet another project to bring back to life. Mark Save
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Post by diverdon on Apr 24, 2017 6:11:44 GMT -8
Nice start, Mark. You certainly have the bug, don't you? Get that thing tuned up or use it to learn the inner workings of vintage single hose Scubapro regulators. Its an early model and probably has the circlip that holds the swivel on, but parts are available so dig in and enjoy! Herman makes tools that will make your life easier if you find yourself collecting and working on MK5s and 10s. I may have a 108 or 109 around here somewhere, but there is also the gentleman who recently started a thread with older Scubapro gear that I believe he inherited? Perhaps he'd let his gear go at a reasonable price Have fun buddy! DD
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seabob
Senior Diver
Instructor Trainer evaluator through all OW and Tech
Posts: 59
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Post by seabob on Apr 24, 2017 7:11:23 GMT -8
I've got schematics for all the older Scubapro regs. Was a tech since early 80's then independent service for a number of years. Have several factory manuals. Could scan MKV stuff if you'd like.
~Sea Bob ~
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 24, 2017 15:12:43 GMT -8
Took it apart and cleaned it up, put new O-Rings and put back together. Hooked a donor US Divers 2nd stage to it and fired it up. No leaks and breathed just fine! I'm taking that as a good sign! Now I need to find a 108 2nd stage, but that can wait for a bit. This one was dirty inside!! It did clean up decent though. Mark
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Post by SeaRat on Apr 25, 2017 21:56:10 GMT -8
Do you need a Scubapro second stage? If so, PM me.
John
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 25, 2017 22:02:58 GMT -8
Yes I do...and I will PM you. Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on May 9, 2017 21:18:29 GMT -8
And here is the other half! Thanks John!!! Do I have this right? In circa 1965/1966-ish the Scubapro Mk. V (1st Stage) was paired with the R108 2nd Stage? Then around 1969-ish the Mk.V 1st stage was paired with the (then) new R109 2nd stage? Mark
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Post by cnotthoff on May 9, 2017 21:30:24 GMT -8
Hey Mark,
I've posted on this subject before. I can't tell from your picture if the swivel is retained by a circlip or a screw fitting. The early Mk 5's used a circlip that Scubapro recalled. The circlip can weaken allowing the swivel to leave the first stage. If it's the screw fitting, be gentle with it. I'd have to look at an old manual to get it's torque setting, but Mk 10 swivel is 75 inch pounds, not much.
Good Dives, Charlie
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Post by tomcatpc on May 9, 2017 22:33:57 GMT -8
This one has the clip retaining the turret... Mark
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Post by surflung on May 10, 2017 13:55:37 GMT -8
- When I bought my Twin 38s from Keith at Wazee Sports, he handed me a ScubaPro 109 regulator with (I think) the Mk V 1st stage. I'm not into ScubaPro but I sent it to "Couv" to repair and upgrade. He upgraded the 2nd stage to a "250" and replaced the first stage with a later model that has more ports. Cost about $65 on top of getting the original reg for free with the 38s. - Anyway, my wife dives this reg and loves it. But I was still thinking it was an old refurb. - Fast forward to a liveaboard dive trip we were on a couple of weeks ago. I see that most of the divers on the boat are using that same "109" looking 2nd stage. I think this ScubaPro model must have a heck of a good reputation to still be in use by so many divers.
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 31, 2017 19:02:40 GMT -8
I finally ordered the last parts needed to get the second stage "dive worthy" and hoping to at least test this one out this Summer. I will share more once I get the parts and it back together. Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Sept 9, 2017 18:29:02 GMT -8
After some struggle and toil, I got this one ready for a test dive. Not sure when that will be with work schedule, etc. But it is ready for a test. I thought this second stage was rather "challenging" to get back together? Had a tough time getting the poppet into the "tube" just right to clear the "prongs" of the demand lever...but "never say die" I got it in the end. See if this is all it is "cracked up to be"? Anyway, all in all it was a fun challenge. Sort of like working on modern cars. Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Sept 24, 2017 14:34:41 GMT -8
Round two of test dives with the Mk.V/109 combo this afternoon. This test dive was a success! No wet breathing like last Wed. I had taken the exhaust T off and the problem was glaring in my face. The valve had got a piece stuck in between two spokes and was not flat. So that was an easy fix. And today I had zero problems. I'm not going to say this is a 100% dependable regulator just yet, but I will dive it again as soon as I can.
During the test dive I wore just the tank and reg. No BC, no SPG, and not wetsuit, just shorts. I thought the water was just fine, in between 60 and 70 deg., down to 40 foot. Not a big deal really, but where I dive people will wear a drysuit all Summer long... You should have seen the looks I got!!! Mark
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 24, 2017 15:58:08 GMT -8
Mark, just wonderful: I'm quite envious--grumble, grumble, grumble... Yeah, I'm sure you got looks, and that's half the fun JB
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Post by tomcatpc on Sept 24, 2017 16:19:22 GMT -8
And then there was the "Why do you still use a J-Valve and rod" questions... Mark
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