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Post by tomcatpc on Sept 23, 2019 17:52:43 GMT -8
Here are some Dacor Gauges I have. These are later 1970's I think, so not really too vintage but thought I'd share them anyway. The wrist depth gauge came from a two-gauge set (like shown in photo) and had lugs to for strap so I added a modern velcro strap. The tank pressure gauge might be earlier vintage as in 1960's? Mark  71198805_2748242751894320_581395454978162688_o by Mark Lodge, on Flickr |
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 23, 2019 21:56:23 GMT -8
Okay, I want all you Vintage Divers out there to look closely at these Dacor gauges. Note that they are "analog," in that they do not solely rely upon a digital readout. Note that the background is a yellow color, and that the needle is black. Not only that, but note also that when exposed to light, then placed in the darkness, they are luminous--they glow! Now notice that the depth gauge has three sections, "green" down to 33 feet, "yellow" (caution), down to 130 feet, and "red" down below 130 feet. On the pressure gauge, note that the "red" zone, for "danger," is shown at both above 3000 psig, and below 500 psig. How does my Suunto Cobra digital decompression meter signal "low air"? It blinks below 500 psig; this simply is not noticeable at a glance. My Cobra also "beeps," but usually I cannot hear it because in all but the warmest water here in Oregon, I wear a hood. In contrast, the Dacor pressure gauge tells the diver at a glance the status of the diver's air.H Quick, what is my tank pressure using this Cobra readout?  IMG_2829 by John Ratliff, on Flickr live.staticflickr.com/1904/30469009837_7551c5924f_z.jpgt IMG_2804 by John Ratliff, on Flickr live.staticflickr.com/1978/30469010237_e48d015be2_z.jpgI about two years ago I actually ran out of air using my Dacor Nautilus CVS, even though it was "blinking" and "beeping." I did not have my SeawiscopeEY on my mask, so the Suunto Cobra was blurred up close. I had a hood on, so I didn't hear it either. And, I ran out of air. I surfaced, and found that I could not get rid of the water from the ballast tank of the Dacor Nautilus CVS. Luckily, I was wearing a snorkel, and used that to swim ashore, lift myself somewhat out of the water, opened the water inlet valve and released the Overpressure relief valve, and let the water out of the unit. Digital isn't everything. John PS, I found that I could not copy the code off Flikr for the photos using my iPad. That's why the link was all I had. I've corrected that here. PS1, I should say that I investigated this OOA situation to find out why it happened. I was diving a full steel 72 on my Dacor CVS (Constant Volume System buoyancy compensator). The Dacor regulator for the system (there is a regulator on the constant volume system to maintain the pressure inside the same as outside the Nautilus) malfunctioned. The Regulator was venting a constant stream of air into the Nautilus, but because I had the water intake valve closed, the buoyancy did not change, and the only indication was the constant stream of bubbles out of the overpressure relief valve. This bled the steel 72 in about 20 minutes down to blinking on my Suunto Cobra. I had a J-reserve valve on the system, but it was in the "Open" position (no reserve), as with the Nautilus there is no access to the J-reserve lever. My response to this was to remove this Dacor Nautilus CVS from service until I could overhaul the regulator, which I did mid-summer this year. |
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 24, 2019 7:13:39 GMT -8
Here's a real cute wrist gauge:  and here's my Olympic-400 with gauges:  JB |
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Post by tomcatpc on Sept 24, 2019 7:22:22 GMT -8
The J-Valve works great in conjunction with the "red zone" in an analog SPG as well... I totally get what you are saying John. My 70's era US Divers gauges are easy to read as well.
Mark
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 24, 2019 10:18:32 GMT -8
I just added a PS1 to my post above, as I wanted all to know how I came to run out of air with the Dacor Nautilus CVS.
By the way, I have a whole reference on ergonomics which discusses the science of analog gauges and their presentation. It was extremely important for occupations like pilots.
John
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Post by tomcatpc on Sept 25, 2019 15:45:03 GMT -8
I think the single SPG is going on my Dacor Olympic 400? I like "less" on my regs.
Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Jul 19, 2020 6:01:18 GMT -8
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