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Post by ltstanfo on Aug 30, 2006 9:29:14 GMT -8
Hello everyone,
I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. I usually hang out on scubaboard but several users suggested I post here for help.
I have recently aquired a UDS-1 in very nice condition (everything appears to be complete) but it apparently has not been used since 1980 or so (I base that on the only hydro date on the tanks which is 7^75).
The two shell halves are complete and in very good condition with only minor (my opinion) scratches. The decal on the outside shell is complete.
There is some minor surface corrosion on the hose connectors and the second stage (greenish in color) but it seems to clean up easily enough. The second stage is the UDS-1 branded regulator (appears to be a Conshelf?) and the pressure gauge is a single dial unit (pressure only).
A quick check of the hoses does not reveal any cracking or show any easily seen holes.
I'm about to disassemble this system to get the tanks hydro'd and VIP'd but are there any areas of concern I need to keep an eye on? Manifold, hoses, etc... ?
I can post or email pictures to anyone who is interested. I'm hoping to have this system restored by October so I can use it to dive on the Oriskany in Pensacola.
I do not have any documentation for this item. My LDS thinks they may have the service guide for this in their work room but are not sure. Any and all help with information is welcome and apparectiated. :-)
Regards,
Ltstanfo
Huntsville, AL
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Post by JES on Aug 30, 2006 14:07:14 GMT -8
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 30, 2006 17:51:28 GMT -8
Ltstanfo,
Welcome aboard. I'm glad to hear that someone else has a UDS-1, and is going to use it. Once you get it properly balanced in the water (it needs about six pounds of weight at the top of the unit), it handles wonderfully. Without that weight, you won't like it at all.
Look over the thread Jes brought to your attention, and that should help. It pretty much details the experience that I had getting to know the UDS-1. One bit of advice--be prepared for putting some time into disassembly and reassembly. This is probably the most complex open circuit scuba that was ever put onto the market for maintenance. It typically takes me about an hour to break it down, and up to three hours to put it back together.
In the years since 1977 or so, when these first came out, U.S. Divers has continued to make the Conshelf second stage, and has made several little improvements in it. The neoprene diaphragm has been replaced by a silicone one, as has the exhaust non-return. Also, the demand lever now has a small button of teflon on it, whereas the original equipment does not. Finally, the mouthpieces have been improved. My recommendation is to replace those if you like, but even without replacing them, the regulator breaths very well with the original equipment.
I detailed problems with the harness system--the waist strap is way too low on the unit. This unit is actually best used without a waist strap, so if I were you I'd leave it off. It has the French buckle system, with the small stainless hook on the end of the crotch strap. Us the waist strap buckle on your weight belt, and don't even have a waist strap. The unit will fit much better on your back, and ride easily in the water. If you want a BC, either use a front-mount independent of the UDS-1, or take an older style tank-mounted BC where you can easily remove the backpack (do so), cut a slit in the nylon for the shoulder straps, and route them under the BC (you could use a waist strap on the BC with this configuration).
Once you get it into the water (you should do fine on the hydros and VIPs), do so at first in a pool. Play around with it, and get used to the feel of having the triple tank unit in one unified system. It swims very well, and you will be very pleased with the unit. Then go out in open water, and wait for people to come up and ask you whether you have a rebreather on.
A few other comments from the top of my head; if your LDS can find that manual on how to service the UDS-1, I'd surely like a copy. Aqualung does not have it, as these were lost in a fire in the 1980s. The original contractor has copies of some drawings, but they are in Great Britian, and I was not successful in getting them sent to me.
I do have the U.S. Divers Co. UDS-1 Diving System[/I] brochure which came with my unit, but it is not original. I saw those in the 1970s, and they were well-produced. Mine is simply a photocopy of this brochure. It's better than not having anything, but it is not as good as it could be. This is where the diagrams I posted in the thread came from.
Enjoy,
John
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Post by ltstanfo on Aug 31, 2006 5:44:22 GMT -8
John,
Thank you very much for your reply and the additional information. I have already reviewed the thread mentioned previously and it was a very useful source of information.
Regarding the use of a BC, I still use my old USD "horsecollar" so I do not see a problem there.
It took just over 40 minutes to completely disassemble the rig. My LDS has the tanks and the second stage. My LDS still has not found the service manual but are convinced that they have a copy somewhere. I'll keep you posted on what I learn.
I would be interested in a copy (PDF, JPG, etc...) of the brochure you have.
Regards,
Ltstanfo
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Post by ltstanfo on Aug 31, 2006 5:45:02 GMT -8
Thanks for the info and the link! Regards, Ltstanfo |
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 31, 2006 11:44:25 GMT -8
Ltstanfo,
The only difference in the servicing of the regulator is that the manifold has the first stage in it, and it is a modified Conshelf first stage. I say "modified," an there is no diaphragm--it is a very large O-ring piston. Other than that, the disassembly and reassembly should be straightforward. One caution is that the sintered filter is inside the valve, an the regulator side, where it would receive air for two tanks, filter the air going into the third tank, and not be a factor at all in the inhalation resistence of the regulator. As you are now aware, the regulator and valve have comparatively huge openings. This allows you to "drain the tanks" of all air until you have only about two breaths left before "feeling" any inhalation resistance.
I just had my UDS-1 VIPed, and have now reassembled it. One note on the reassembly, put the bottom band (near the valves) on, then loosely put the top band on the tanks, and put the case over it and make sure that the holes match the screws' location. This will save you the grief of having to re-adjust that band to gain access to the matching holes (you should then mark the cylinders as to where the band should go). Also, be sure to put the LP and HP filling hose onto the valve before trying to put the bands into place (the SPG can be put on later, as it is not routed between the tanks). You'll have to rout these hoses through the bands before you tighten the screws, as you cannot do it afterwards (no room). Then you need to put the harness through the top slots in the case, and over the screws inside, before you try to attach the case. In short, there are so many little steps that you need to follow sequentially that if you miss one, you'll have to disassemble the unit back to that point and start over.
I hope to put my UDS-1 in the Clackamas River this weekend (probably Saturday), and do some underwater photography. Last weekend, I found a snail that is not supposed to be in the Clackamas River, what I think are New Zealand Mud Snails. They were probably brought in by boat from another waterway already infested by these snails. I sent two that I collected on Saturday to a researcher at Portland State University, and she'll take a look tomorrow.
John
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Post by wetwilly on Aug 31, 2006 12:30:41 GMT -8
We used to HATE these things when they came in for hydro testing.. The disassembly usually goes fine, but the reassembly was a real pain.. Back in the mid 70's I sold 2 of these units to a couple of fellas that were headed for Jamaica. On their return to Canada, Canadian Customs had no trouble what-so-ever in the dissasembly, once they were pretty sure the cylinders were full of hash oil.. And they were!!!
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Post by JES on Sept 1, 2006 13:43:40 GMT -8
Thanks for the info and the link! Regards, Ltstanfo It was my pleasure to be of some help.  |
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 3, 2006 17:09:29 GMT -8
I had a very nice, 1 hour 15 minute dive in the Clackamas River yesterday using my UDS-1. I will be using it more, now that it's back up and all VIPed. I really like the balance of the rig, and the way it handles in the water. I used all the U.S. Divers Co., components, second stages, etc., but my own harness design, hooking it into the Para-Sea BC that I used. I swam up to two Steelhead that were in the river, using a new underwater swimming technique which is a bit faster than normal underwater swimming. Towards the end of the dive, I scouted out the far side of the river just downstream from where I have dived in the past. I found a bicycle front wheel from a BMX bike, and for a few minutes contemplated retrieving it, but it would take too much of my time to work on it, so I left it in the water. Maybe tomorrow I'll pull it out, and give it to someone. Toward the end of the dive, I breathed the UDS-1 down to zero gauge pressure, and still had seven breaths before I felt the resistance of being out-of-air. When I tripped the J-valve, the pressure went up to almost 500 psig. So diving that unit is a lot of fun.
John
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Post by ltstanfo on Sept 5, 2006 5:14:07 GMT -8
Thanks for the update SeaRat.
My UDS tanks are off at the local hydro facility and as expected, they do not have a ready made connector for the non (US) standard threads on the tanks so they are having an adapter made. I hope to have the tanks back by next Monday. The second stage has already been rebuilt by the LDS (I am told it was in very good condition) so hopefully there will be no surprises once I get all the parts back.
Regards,
Ltstanfo
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 21, 2006 22:12:18 GMT -8
Ltstanfo,
Any luck getting your UDS-1 back together after the hydro?
John
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Post by ltstanfo on Sept 22, 2006 5:01:13 GMT -8
Ltstanfo, Any luck getting your UDS-1 back together after the hydro? John John, I have not made it that far yet. The manifold / first stage and second stage have been serviced but the tanks are still at the hydro facility. I don't know if they are waiting on the adaptor for the tanks or what... Regards, Ltstanfo |
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