My old ScubaPro Regulator - What Is It?

[pgtr]

I bought this regulator slightly used back in the 1980s. The 1st and 2nd stage were and still are in great condition. They've had routine service done a number of times usually before some dive trips or something. I had some sort of performance upgrade kit installed on the 2nd stage (note the blue diaphragm) but it was NOT the 'Balanced Adjustable' upgrade kit. Maybe this was a cheaper upgrade or maybe that kit couldn't be installed or maybe they just didn't install the face plate on it that said 'Balanced Adjustable'. The yoke on the 2nd stage is stamped "3000" and the tightening knob is embossed "SCUBAPRO". I added the red hose protectors for strain relief. No markings on the rubber hoses themselves (they are in beautiful condition). There is a serial # on the 2nd stage: 750384x

Anyway of determining actual model #s or dates of manufacture based on any of this? Pictures below...

Thanks!

[Captain]

It's a Mk V first and a R109 second, one of the all time great regulators. I have one and it is my newest single hose regulator. Most internal parts are interchangable with current Scuba Pro regulators. Judging by the 3000 psi yoke I would say it is early to mid 80's vintage.

[bsea]

I notice that yours has a blue diaphram. I know there were a couple of other colors. I doubt this would be a way to determine age since they could be changed, but does anyone know when the colored diaphams 1st appeared, and what colors were available?

I have 2 Mrk Vs, with 109 2nd stages. Both have black diaphrams.

[pgtr]

Thanks!

It originally had a black diaphragm and different color mouthpiece. I added a new black mouthpiece years ago to replace the aging/cracking original.

In the late 1980s SP offered several upgrade kits for the 109. I think some of my catalogs from the period show them. An intermediate step up included the blue diaphragm. As best I recall for more $ you also got a 'balanced adjustable' upgrade. (I'm not sure the 109 could be updated to a BA anyway nor if these kits are still avail - the BA upgrade kit included a new chrome piece with "Balanced Adjustable" etched on the chrome cover which replaced the plain chrome cover like the 109 had)

I can remember in the late 80s/early 90s that there were replacement colored diaphragms avail in red and teal - I don't think those were part of any 'upgrade parts kit' just a cosmetic change. I don't think they appear in my 1995 SP catalog (I threw a bunch of catalogs out years ago but saved a few!)

[duckbill]

pgtr said:

(I threw a bunch of catalogs out years ago but saved a few!)

Ouch! I feel your pain! I did the same thing. (Violently apply foot to own postotamus!)

See how quickly you got an answer to your question? I think you'll like it here. Nice reg. I hope you take up diving it again soon.

[scubadiverbob]

These regs were very popular in 1979 when I took a NASDS dive class. They had come out with the MK7 at the same time which we called "honkers" because they would make a honking sound when you got down to 500 - 700 psi. This design was made to eliminate the need for a reserve on the valve. We used them in the dive class and noted that it was difficult to tell who was low on air. Hey, nice looking regulator you got there! Make sure to keep the piston section of the first stage clean after each salt water dive and it'll last many more years.

[Dale]

I recently attended a Scubapro repair clinic and they showed pics of the new second stage coming out soon, the G250 "Vintage". It is going to have a blue diaphragm. Some things come full circle!

[Captain]

The R109 can still be upgraded to a balanced ajustable but there is in my opinion not much to gain and it increases complexity. Your MK V first stage does not have the five HP ports of the last version. The fifth port is on the top of the swivel turret.

[broxton]

Your serial # indicates that it is from 1977, but the 4 port swivel didn't appear in Scubapro's catalog until 1978. So you're probably between those 2 years.

[pgtr]

This is really really great info - you guys know my gear better than me that's for sure. Yep, 77 or 78 sound about right.

I'm curious - Is there a way to 'decode' the s/n to establish date or is it just a particular 'range' that is associated w/ each year?l

I had about every catalog from about 89 up until the late 90s. I saved a few random ones but the others I tossed when I was cleaning out old papers, mags and what not.

Here's a couple shots of it partially disassembled. Behind it is the 91 catalog showing the upgrade kits.




(A) Standard 2nd Stage Conversion Kit (pre 81)(Uprades 11-108-000 2nd Stage to High Performance 11-080-000) No. 11-108-010

(C) Conversion Kit to Balanced the Adjustable 2nd stage Regulators No. 11-109-020

[pgtr]

...oh and it would seem my R109 does not have either the hi perf kit or (as we already know) the B-A upgrade kit. Appears to have just the pretty blue diaphragm (and the original was pretty tired looking too ;D )

If the 'High Performance' kit or equiv still available - is it worth upgrading the parts?

Other than doing an annual and replacing the rubber 'ball' on the 1st stage w/ a new one (the retainer loop is cracking due to age), my expectation is this is still excellent gear to dive w/ today.

By the way - what were those plastic blue 'tabs' for that I seem to recall included w/ the old SP regs back then? They were about the size of a dogtag and had a small lanyard attached to them. Anything special? SOmething to do w/ storage maybe?

[SeaRat]

Those tabs were to put into the front of the regulator and depress the diaphragm, thus taking pressure off the seat so that it did not get an indentation from sitting idle too long with the spring pressure against it. The tabs first came out on the A.I.R.1, then were used on the other regulators when they proved effective. I still use mine on my A.I.R.I. I just looked in my documentation for the A.I.R.I, and Scubapro did wrote:

Regulator Storage Key: A regulator storage key is attached to the Safety Lanyard. Its purpose is to move the demand valve seat away from its orifice so the seat does not take a set during storage. The key should NOT be inserted during any rinsing of the regulator becaues that would allow water to pass into the low pressure hose.

John

[luis]

The upgrades are not sold as a kit anymore, but all the parts needed are available. All you need is an annual service kit (for G250) and a new spring and you can upgrade it to a balanced adjustable. I have six of this second stages that I have upgraded to balanced adjustable and they seem very reliable. There breathing performance is also improved. IMHO they are as good as the best performing regulator of any time (modern or vintage).

The only parts that are not available are the metal parts, the exhaust “T”, and the diaphragm cover. Since the diaphragm cover is not available anymore, I would not use any storage key anymore. Long term storage with a deformed diaphragm cover will eventually ruin the diaphragm cover. The soft seat are easily replaced and parts will be available for a very long time (since they are used in there most modern regulators).

[SeaRat]

Luis,

I cannot talk to the 109, but the A.I.R.I has a slot to put the storage key into, which does not affect any part of the regulator, only pushes down slightly on the diaphragm. If there is no slot for this key, it was probably a marketing gimmick to mimick the success of the A.I.R.I's regulator key.

John

[luis]

Hi John

Scubapro made two different storage devices for the 109. The original one (which I believe is the one the OP is referring to) was just a round paddle with a lanyard attached. The idea was to stick it between the metal case and the rubber diaphragm cover.

The paddle kept the diaphragm cover in a deformed condition during storage, which would eventually ruin the rubber.

The other was a blue plastic key looking device as shown in the catalog picture. This one came out later and it didn’t seem to be around for too long. It was intended to stick into the “S” in the diaphragm cover and you turn it 90degrees to hold in place. It was intended to just push the diaphragm.

I am not as familiar with the plastic storage key since it came out in the very late 70’s or 80’s and I don’t have one (I wasn’t working much at a dive shop by then). It looks like a good idea, but the fact that it wasn’t around too long makes me wonders how effective they were. They probably work well, but I am not sure I would take any risk that could potentially damage a diaphragm cover.