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Post by technidiver on Aug 26, 2019 16:21:05 GMT -8
Does anyone know where I can get two USD Solid Bad Manifold rebuild kits? Might not be needed, but I picked up two USD solid bar manifolds off eBay. They take the same parts as the later USD single tank J valves and I have some lying around but a kit would be ideal.
TD
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Post by scubalawyer on Aug 26, 2019 16:43:04 GMT -8
Take 'em apart first and see what parts you really need. Seats rarely go bad and the o-rings are easily replaceable. I've never had to get a whole kit but they are available in the VDH store. M
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 26, 2019 17:09:06 GMT -8
TD, I agree with Mark, just rip it apart and replace the o-rings: just match them up to those readily available...
JB
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Post by technidiver on Aug 26, 2019 18:25:35 GMT -8
I figure the seats are OK since it worked when it was in use and the J valve should be good too. If all I need is some o rings then we’re doing alright!
Pictures will come in the following weeks when they arrive.
TD
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Post by scubalawyer on Aug 26, 2019 20:53:15 GMT -8
TD,
While your approach of "if it still works it must be ok" will work in many applications, I NEVER take that approach to life support equipment I buy used over the internet. Many folks will likely disagree with me but it is my philosophy, and mine alone, so if you don't agree with me feel free to tell me to piss off. Not much offends me.
Anyway, I have lost count of the number of valves, manifolds, regulators, etc... I have received with unknown backgrounds and once I take them apart find both minor and major stuff missing. For example, I acquired a New-in-Box never before used USD twin manifold the other day with a manufacturer date of 1958. The valve was a little sticky so I got that apart, washed it up, and it worked great - no stick. When I got the J-valve side apart I found that the entire brass insert that forms the concave side where the brass nipple inserts was just not there. The J-valve lever moved up and down just fine but there was nothing to seal the manifold on the other side where the center post section attached.
Obviously, with a solid-bar manifold you are not going to have that problem, but there is no telling what grime and verdigris is inside the valve stem area and the J-valve mechanism. I have also found many J-valves installed upside down so you have to push up on the lever to activate the reserve. I like to know for a rock solid fact all the parts are there and it (whatever form of life support "it" is) is clean and working before so I can have confidence it will work as intended. Bottom line, a little investigation and cleaning goes a long way to establish peace of mind. Ok, off my soapbox for now. My 2 psi. Mark
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 26, 2019 22:38:02 GMT -8
Mark, that is a good philosophy to have. A twin manifold with J-valve is actually more complex than the Mistral or Healthways Scuba/Scuba Deluxe/Gold Label Scuba regulators. My philosophy is to check my dive gear before the dive, and also "qualify" the gear in a pool before taking them to open water.
John
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 27, 2019 6:48:38 GMT -8
Unless it's something insanely complicated, like a new car, I usually do a tear down on most things, just to understand how something works.
JB
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Post by technidiver on Aug 27, 2019 8:04:09 GMT -8
I’ve always torn down my valves and regs, sometimes for better or worse. It’s good to know what’s inside and how it looks. I still have a Voit MR-12 in pieces that I use to show people how the balanced second stage regulator works. And also because it has a crappy seat and is missing some parts I made a mistake on eBay and tried to combine shipping but ended up paying for shipping twice so the seller was very kind and threw in a Marvel rebuild kit and some other parts. It worked out for both of us in the end! TD
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Post by snark3 on Aug 27, 2019 14:14:59 GMT -8
TD- I looked at those valves on ebait too. I believe the seller offered overhaul kits for them at an additional cost.
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 27, 2019 16:39:42 GMT -8
One good point about the solid bar doubles manifold is that it eliminates two potential leak points.
John
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