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Post by antique diver on Dec 31, 2021 18:54:44 GMT -8
Antique Diver, 'Love the Hydro Glove dry suit. I'm curious, it looks like you are using a neck seal, with a wetsuit hood. How does that work in cold water? I'm considering a Aquala dry suit, and am curious about which style to look at. John Yes, that was a neck seal drysuit with a short-bib wetsuit hood, and very flexible, warm and comfortable. I installed a DUI valve mid-chest and a small DUI wrist vent on left cuff of the Hydroglove. This particular suit was a "double-dip" special order in 2013, and a bit thicker rubber than the normal ones. It's a little more rugged but it's still very soft and comfortable. I also have regular thickness suit of same age with the hooded jacket. It allows one to add air to the suit by having the mask skirt under the face seal and exhaling into mask. Works well, but I still need a neoprene head cover for insulation. Both suits are soft and stretchy... kinda like diving in a comfy pair of pajamas when compared to most drysuits. For diving in rugged situations I can add coveralls to protect the suit. Can't beat one of these suits for the price, which is available again for about $220. I have a couple of DUI CF200 suits (one 1983 model and one 2001) made from the compressed neoprene but seldom find a need to use them anymore. The DUI's do seem a little warmer with same amount of fleece underwear so I would wear one for extended or working dives, which I'm not real likely to be doing anyway.
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Post by james1979 on Jan 1, 2022 7:20:39 GMT -8
Flowable silicone doesn't stick to the printed disk very well, but my diaphragm should be ok if I refrain from abusing it beyond all bounds of decency. Like if I install it and use it normally. Just saying, your track record of normal installation isn't to great (what was that nickname? Dr. Frankenreg?). lol And credit where it's due, JB came up with Holderonner holes!
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Post by antique diver on Jan 1, 2022 9:59:42 GMT -8
Flowable silicone doesn't stick to the printed disk very well, but my diaphragm should be ok if I refrain from abusing it beyond all bounds of decency. Like if I install it and use it normally. Just saying, your track record of normal installation isn't to great (what was that nickname? Dr. Frankenreg?). lol And credit where it's due, JB came up with Holderonner holes! Hey, "normal" is greatly overrated. The real fun starts with pushing the limits. I too found that the flowable silicone doesn't adhere to the printed discs, but it seems to be holding well on the SS disc that I installed in my 2010. I just installed a SS disc into one of your new recent diaphragm models a few days ago, and it's time to tug on it a bit to see how well it holds to your silicone compound. Will report soon. Come to think of it Flowable silicone was never intended to be an adhesive product in the first place. It was just designed to flow into small voids between windshield glass and the rubber gasket. I think a different adhesive is sure to be needed if we do have to resort to bonding. I'll try E6000 later today on a printed disc and see how well that bonds it to the silicone diaphragm. Will let it cure for a day or two before I get results.
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Post by vance on Jan 1, 2022 10:03:56 GMT -8
It also adheres pretty well to the fiber disks I repurposed from HW Scuba diaphragms. It will peel off, but you have to use some force, unlike the 3D plastic.
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Post by james1979 on Jan 1, 2022 13:31:50 GMT -8
What I am tentatively calling version 1.0 of the Diaphragm is in the mold, and version 0.1 of the 2 piece clamp is waiting on hardware I ordered (appropriate length screws). For fit checks, I stole the screws from a Dial-A-Breath... they are a tad long, lol. I think it looks promising, but I'm going to thicken it a little for greater strength and add back in small recesses fro the horns. And for the record, the factory one piece clamp is a horrific pain in the rear end to install! Respectfully, James
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Post by antique diver on Jan 1, 2022 16:32:35 GMT -8
James said:"And for the record, the factory one piece clamp is a horrific pain in the rear end to install!"Yes it is a pain, and now you know why the interest in a two piece clamp. The original clamp is the main reason that I don't usually open my Trieste up very often. Of course lately I have been getting lots of practice removing and replacing that cantankerous thing to swap diaphragms and trying different tuning levels. Maybe the 2 piece clamp should have come before the diaphragm!
It amazes me how quickly you are able to design and turn out parts! Keep up the good work.
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Post by SeaRat on Jan 1, 2022 19:06:53 GMT -8
The original one-piece clamp is kinda a pain, but there is a technique too. You've got to put in over the exhalation tube, work it around the regulator with the one side in the groove, and then open it up a bit to get in in alignment. After that, it's not too hard.
John
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Post by antique diver on Jan 1, 2022 19:53:54 GMT -8
The original one-piece clamp is kinda a pain, but there is a technique too. You've got to put in over the exhalation tube, work it around the regulator with the one side in the groove, and then open it up a bit to get in in alignment. After that, it's not too hard. John That works for me. It has gotten a lot easier after all the practice I've had the past few weeks.
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Post by james1979 on Jan 2, 2022 4:57:27 GMT -8
The original one-piece clamp is kinda a pain, but there is a technique too. You've got to put in over the exhalation tube, work it around the regulator with the one side in the groove, and then open it up a bit to get in in alignment. After that, it's not too hard. John I agree, I'm just whining after being used to 2 piece clamps (a la SP 108/109), or boxes that hold alignment like Aqualung DH and SH regs that have the lip on one side to keep all of it lined up. And it gave me an excuse to make the 2 piece clamp! Speaking of which, the v0.1 clamp has been holding overnight, and I'll check for signs of weakness this afternoon... Regardless, 0.2 will be beefed up some. Version 1.0 diaphragm looks like it's ready for primetime (but will wait for Bill's seal of approval)... I finally had a bad pour on one, so that one will go for destructive testing of the friction plate/silicone connection, and a second one that came out good that will go for verification of performance characteristics. I'm happy enough with how they came out that I'm going to pour a few more between now and hearing what testing shows (that's never bit me in the rear before.... anyone want a useless 0.1? lol). Respectfully, James
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Post by antique diver on Jan 2, 2022 11:14:30 GMT -8
I'm looking forward to getting my hands on diaphragm 1.0 and a two piece clamp. Dive testing may be a bit uncomfortable in January, but it will be worth it.
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Post by james1979 on Jan 3, 2022 6:14:25 GMT -8
For those who are interested in the Diaphragms and band clamps, does $25 for diaphragms in whatever color I happen to be printing/pouring (plus $5 if you want specific colors of plate/silicone) and $15 for a band clamp (in any color ABS I have on hand, plus $5 if I need to order a particular color) sound fair? Genuinely open to input.
Edit to add: Any preference on socket head or filister head screws for the clamps?
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Post by antique diver on Jan 3, 2022 7:19:47 GMT -8
In an earlier post I mentioned that I had installed a modified Duckbill Eliminator (DBE) in the Trieste for testing. My main concern was that there might not be enough height in the exhaling can, causing the diaphragm to tilt a little at all times. This could be observed through the vent slots in said can before diving. Well it really didn't work out so well on the test dive, with the slight tilt causing an odd angle between the disc and demand lever. That made for a slightly strange feel to inhalations at times, and may even have been at some fault for the diaphragm to disc separation. Also seemed like the exhalation effort was increased due to lack of space for the mushroom type valve to open fully. I have removed the DBE, going back to a regular silicone duckbill, which has plenty of room to do its job without interference to the new taller diaphragms.
DBE body showing through exhaust ports:
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Post by vance on Jan 5, 2022 17:09:11 GMT -8
Yeah, it's a small space. Too bad. I'd like a DBE alternative for the Trieste, since duckbills suck. I don't mind them in an early USD with the removeable horn. It's fitting hoses over a db that ruins the experience. And maybe the fart noises.
A nice feature of Rob's FX repro 50 Fathom boxes is the reduced OD of the exhaust horn for this very reason.
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Post by james1979 on Jan 8, 2022 8:29:41 GMT -8
Ok folks, final update on the Trieste Diaphragm Project: We are officially on Version 1.0, largely due to Bill's insights and testing.... Speaking of which, below is the bench test data he developed and compiled; Destructive testing of V 1.0 (which required significant intentional abuse to separate): The firmer silicone was tried just due to me having it, and figuring it was worth seeing the performance/durability trade... and the juice isn't worth the squeeze. So these are available now at the blazing speed of when I get to them between work and family! lol. Regards the 2 piece clamp, I'm happy with it and Bill seems to be as well, so pending hardware (5/8 inch long screws, the 1/2 inch I initially ordered are workable, but a tad short for easy installation.) arriving I can start cranking those out too. Respectfully, James
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Post by surflung on Jan 17, 2022 8:37:01 GMT -8
YES I WANT SOME! Thanks for all of your good work James and Antique Diver. I'm excited to install a new diaphragm in my Trieste. I want to order two diaphragms and one clamp set. I have sent you my address by PM.
BTW - Congratulations on the success of your project James and Bill!
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