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Post by Dennis on Oct 10, 2003 16:45:41 GMT -8
The factory recommended intermediate pressure on a DA AquaMaster is 110 psi. If no leaks are heard, is there a disadvantage to setting the IP higher? A Conshelf 1st stage uses an IP of 130 psi and it is similar in design to the first stage of an AquaMaster.
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Post by Captain on Oct 10, 2003 18:22:54 GMT -8
You can try but it may be too much pressure for the spring in the second stage demand valve to overcome.
Tom
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Post by Dennis on Oct 11, 2003 3:56:21 GMT -8
You can try but it may be too much pressure for the spring in the second stage demand valve to overcome. Tom Hello, Tom. I received this note from a friend. He is of the opinion that the regulator works a little better at 120 IP, but there isn't any point in going above that. He says that the key is to also having the demand lever set "to a hair trigger". I liked his descrption of adjusting it through the hose port rather than taking the lid off: ************************************** "What you need to do is this. Leave the hoses on the regulator. Put your guage on, stick the allen wrench into the adjustment screw, and adjust to 110. Lay the diaphragm across the horseshoe, and press in with your finget tips the edges to make a seal. now breath through the mouthpiece. Is it ok? Is it hard, ir easy? The diaphragm wont fall out. If not easy enough, set to 115, or 120. 130 is likely putting more than it was balanced out for, and may be TOO high. There's nothing to be gained by doing that, except you may have a valve that leaks air, due to overpressure. Make sure the horse shoe is adjusted for a hair trigger. You will get instant response that way. If you loosen it, dont try to punch it, rather put a tiny drop of locktite on the brass nut. That will keep your adjustment right on. To adjust, take off the inhalatrion hose, and go in through the inhale port with a long needlenose pliars. Pull up on the brass nut from the top by pushing down on the horse shoe with your fingers. Now grasp the valve stem and grip it with the needlenose, while you turn the nut for your adjustment. Of course you will have let down the seat now, and taken the needlenose out of the port while adjusting. When adjusting it MUST be pressureized. After you get it set perfect, put the diaphragm back over the horse shoe, and test breath through the mouthpiece. If its to your liking, put a drop of locktite on the screw. Your checking for overall results here. If not enough air, you think.... try adjusting the IP again. Really, I wouldnt go over 120. Theres nothing to be gained. I tried all that, and the regulators I have are set to 120. Have fun.
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Post by Dennis on Oct 11, 2003 12:48:53 GMT -8
The tank pressure is at about 1900 psi. The AquaMaster IP is set dead at 120 psi. The horseshoe lever is just a shade back from leaking and there is a dab of locktite on the nut. I inhaled through my empty mouth, and then inhaled though the mouthpiece. Barely a difference. Near imperceptable cracking effort. It should breathe like a dream in the water.
One thing I did notice ... I got this regulator about 12 years ago when parts were just not available. I had put silicone flappers in the mouthpiece secured in the center with a brass screw. I thought that they worked. But I notice just a while ago that on my exhale the diaphragm puffed out. On the inhale the exaust valve collapsed. No, they are not in backwards. My improvised mouthpiece valves are leaking! I'll have to order a set of the actual replacements.
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Post by Captain on Oct 12, 2003 10:15:12 GMT -8
I have found that if the second stage is ajusted too sensitive it will freeflow in any position except head down. One of the inherent problems with all two hose regulators is the distance between the diaphram and the mouth peice. When you are head down the diaphram is under several inches less pressure than the mouthpeice. This tends to increase inhalation effort. When you are in a position where the mouthpeice is at the same level as the diaphram inhalation resistance will be similar to what is is above the surface. In a head up position the diaphram is below the mouthpeice and is under greater pressure which will cause freeflow. Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan encountered this problem in 1942 when they were developing the Aqua Lung. If you have a copy of the Silent World refer to pages 19 and 20 where Cousteau tells of the problem. The single hose regulator was developed to address this issue by bringing the mouth peice and the diaphram as close as posible to each other. This is why a single hose will not freeflow with the mouthpeice pointed down but will if the mouthpeice is pointed up. No matter what ajustment, the two hose will never be able to breathe the same in all positions like a single hose will.
Tom
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