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Post by starman on Aug 7, 2017 0:51:34 GMT -8
JB, Yes I think I need to replace the o rings in my Hydro twin. Is it OK to use the nitrile and or Vinton o rings we can find at the hardware stores locally? I have been in contact with Paul, Thomas 8294 And he sent me some photos of his first stage seat from his Hydro twin II. And the two seats are completely different. My seat is the round plastic cone like the Healthways seat with the steel plunger, and spring. So do I have the earlier version of the first stage seat for the Hydro twin?? The first stage seat that's in Paul's Hydro twin II, Resembles more like the first stage seat that you would find in the US divers royale aqua master. I would say the first stage seat set up in Paul's Hydro twin two is a far better first stage seat than what I found in my Hydro twin II. Is the round plastic cone first stage seat set up going to be easy to maintain or is it the worst design, and wear out quicker? Thanks. Marion
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 7, 2017 8:10:15 GMT -8
Marion, the hardware store is where I advise everyone I know to get o-rings: that's where I get all of mine The Healthways type of plunger is excellent: It was copied, same designers, from the first American-designed-and-built regulator the Divair! These plungers last as long as any other, and were used in three generations of regs: JB
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Post by vance on Aug 7, 2017 8:16:24 GMT -8
JB, Yes I think I need to replace the o rings in my Hydro twin. Is it OK to use the nitrile and or Vinton o rings we can find at the hardware stores locally? I have been in contact with Paul, Thomas 8294 And he sent me some photos of his first stage seat from his Hydro twin II. And the two seats are completely different. My seat is the round plastic cone like the Healthways seat with the steel plunger, and spring. So do I have the earlier version of the first stage seat for the Hydro twin?? The first stage seat that's in Paul's Hydro twin II, Resembles more like the first stage seat that you would find in the US divers royale aqua master. I would say the first stage seat set up in Paul's Hydro twin two is a far better first stage seat than what I found in my Hydro twin II. Is the round plastic cone first stage seat set up going to be easy to maintain or is it the worst design, and wear out quicker? Thanks. Marion If the nylon plunger (seat) is the Healthways one, they are available at Thescubamuseum.com and VDH (NOS, I think) for $25. Charlie had some a while back, too. They seem to hold up well. I've only had to replace 1 or 2 in a dozen regs. They're around.
BTW, O-rings for scuba use must come out of a little ziploc bag labeled "for scuba use" and the specific model # of the regulator. As JB has pointed out, the inevitable catastrophic failure of hardware store o-rings will result in at least a one megaton explosion. This is as certain as the fact that vintage dive gear is gunna kill ya.
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 7, 2017 9:58:19 GMT -8
YUMP! That's totally what happens, here's a picture I took of a guy who was merely thinking about using that kind of o-ring! Oh, and you need to keep them soaked in holy-water until you put them to use OK, but seriously, I think yours is basically a Navy Unit with a can strapped onto it: If you don't have a copy of "Basic Scuba" by Fred Roberts, GET IT! I'm pretty sure there's an exploded view of your reg in there JB
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Post by starman on Aug 7, 2017 11:47:11 GMT -8
Hey JB and Vance thanks for the advice I'll get some new O-rings to put in my hydro twin. And yes the plastic Seat from the Healthways looks pretty much like the seat in the sportways but it does have a 1/8 inch shaft with the spring and then a metal On the top with the O ring in it. But I don't think a health ways seat will work in that sportways I've looked at them I have all three of the healthways double hose regulators, and I have purchased two or three of those health ways seats from Rob at the scuba museum .also I haven't yet looked into getting on photo bucket where I can share photos the only way I've been sharing photos lately is sending them to your email. I have some good photographs that I've taken of my sportways Hydro twin and if anybody wants to see the pictures just message me with your email address and I'll send you some pictures thanks. Marion
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 7, 2017 12:57:43 GMT -8
Marion, I can't say for 100% on your reg, but I can say so for my Navy Unit: they are the same part Sportsways broke away from Healthways, it's the "ways", and took some of the HW-engineers and technology with them... JB
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Post by vance on Aug 7, 2017 13:40:43 GMT -8
Don't use PhotoBucket!!!! They have really screwed their users. Try Flickr. We have a sticky in the tech section on how to use it. It is free hosting (hopefully for some time to come): vintagescuba.proboards.com/thread/3622/post-imageLook for my post near the bottom for instructions on how to use it to post pictures here. Phil
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Post by vance on Dec 29, 2017 10:29:38 GMT -8
Hey JB and Vance thanks for the advice I'll get some new O-rings to put in my hydro twin. And yes the plastic Seat from the Healthways looks pretty much like the seat in the sportways but it does have a 1/8 inch shaft with the spring and then a metal On the top with the O ring in it. But I don't think a health ways seat will work in that sportways I've looked at them I have all three of the healthways double hose regulators, and I have purchased two or three of those health ways seats from Rob at the scuba museum .also I haven't yet looked into getting on photo bucket where I can share photos the only way I've been sharing photos lately is sending them to your email. I have some good photographs that I've taken of my sportways Hydro twin and if anybody wants to see the pictures just message me with your email address and I'll send you some pictures thanks. Marion My Hydro Twin II has the plunger Marion is describing above: "...a 1/8 inch shaft with the spring and then a metal On the top with the O ring in it." I think others have corrected the plunger question before, elsewhere. The Dual Air and other non-balanced regs have the Healthways type plunger, but I believe all HydroTwin IIs have the balanced valve with the metal shaft plunger. I don't have a schematic of the Hydro Twin II. I have Roberts' diagram of the Dual Air which includes a balanced first stage that seems to be the same as the HD-II, and I have a diagram of the Hydro Twin which has what looks to be the correct second stage drawing. I will include some pictures and graphics in a later post.
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Post by vance on Dec 29, 2017 11:09:11 GMT -8
Here are some pictures of my HT-II plunger and associated parts, and a drawing of the Master Diver first stage:
The diagram shows an o-ring (95) on the top of the shaft (20B) between the spring (21B) and the guide (96): Just to clarify, (97) is an o-ring that fits around the guide (96), and (22) is an o-ring that fits around the plug (23). The o-ring (95) goes into a tiny machined space in the hole of the guide, shown below: You can barely see it in the hole. I was mystified for a while as to where this o-ring was until I blew up the photo! Mystery solved. This one will be even harder to get in and out of there than the pin seal o-ring on a Mistral!
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 29, 2017 11:22:34 GMT -8
Phil, the o-ring fits inside the retainer: You need to use a small probe, I use an old nut-pick, or you can use a small jeweller's screwdriver to pry it out. Put on some nice strong magnifying glasses and perhaps sit outside during a bright day. Then, very patiently, use your probe to push/pull the o-ring inward, towards the center. If you can get the o-ring where it has intruded into the area, you just need to shove it out the rest of the way. When I replace them, I use spit as my lubricant, silicone is far too slick and that #1-size o-ring will slide around all over the place except for where you want it to go--GRRRRRR! I like to make a tool out of old Popsicle-sticks that I can push the o-ring in with, as you don't want to cut the danged thing while getting it in... JB
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Post by vance on Dec 29, 2017 11:44:42 GMT -8
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 29, 2017 12:12:37 GMT -8
Phil, there is zero coincidence there: it's a long convoluted tale, but Sportsways was begot by Healthways: if you'll notice, they both have "ways" in the name!
JB
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Post by vance on Dec 29, 2017 12:18:06 GMT -8
Phil, there is zero coincidence there: it's a long convoluted tale, but Sportsways was begot by Healthways: if you'll notice, they both have "ways" in the name! JB Yes, I knew they are related, and figured the mushrooms were the same. I read a bunch of posts above asking about exhaust mushroom replacements, and was wondering why there was a question since it appears to be the same as the Deluxe/GL?
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 29, 2017 12:48:38 GMT -8
Phil, the new one I put on Crabby's was from a USD Calypso-IV, I think a 32mm? It was actually larger than that of the HW, but if there is an age difference, one may be larger than the other...
JB
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Post by vance on Jan 16, 2018 18:56:56 GMT -8
So, I dug out the Hydro Twin II that's awaiting its new exhaust mushroom, and did some fiddling. I wanted to know if the new style second stage bits from the Sportsways 300 would work in the HT II. Unfortunately, no. They changed the size of the lp plug. Poop.
But, I connected up my new Sea-Vue SPG/capillary depth gauge, and the new SportDiver II second stage, and called it good. I have a bit of IP fussing to do, but I think my new rig is HAPPENIN'!
I also bought a new VDH wing and double hose plate to go diving with. Vintage diving is kew and all, but let's be reasonable! I need some convenience and ease of use and all. That horsecollar bcd I used all those years is a pain in the...well, groin. I have big hopes for the backplane. I will report on my progress when Crabby and I venture out next time. I'll be sporting the HTII, a 3000 psig steel tank, a new BCD/harness system, and hopefully, a weight belt that don't fall off!
I haven't given up on the pure vintage experience, but I'm going to practice in fresh water at about 40 ft max.
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