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Post by SeaRat on Jul 19, 2017 7:46:26 GMT -8
Crabby Jim,
I'm still trying to figure out how to respond, as the silicone diaphragm came with the MR-12 II regulator. I think you'll have to find a Mares dealer, and get it from Mares. I don't know that there is another source.
John
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Post by SeaRat on Nov 15, 2017 17:11:47 GMT -8
Crabby Jim, Phil and others,
As many of you know, Phil and I made a trade of my 50 Fathom guts for an MR-12 III regulator. I have been cleaning it up, and today went to the LDS (Laura at Pacific Watersports) and got a MR-12 repair kit. While there, I found out something.
The silicone LP diaphragm for the Mares MR-12 III is available from my LDS, but there is also a recall on the original diaphragms. The metal disc glued to the inside of the original diaphragm could come loose, and if so could cause loss of air supply through that second stage. This recall is still in effect, and if you take the original regulator with the diaphragm to the LDS who is a Mares dealer, you should be able to pick up a replacement free. The LDS will need to record the regulator serial number on a log to send to Mares. T I have the first page of the recall letter here, and will post it when I can get it scanned and on a server to share.
John
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Post by vance on Nov 15, 2017 18:42:11 GMT -8
Wow! Free parts!
I still have the MR12 that this thread is about. John got a different one, which I acquired later. I also have an orphan second stage which has suffered some. The chrome is beat, but it still works well. It'll probably become the safe second for the 250Ft Snark. These things really push the air!
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Post by SeaRat on Nov 27, 2017 22:12:45 GMT -8
I have just put Phil's (now mine) MR-12 III back together after using the MR-12 repair kit mentioned above for the first stage. I replaced the HP diaphragm, re-conditioned the HP seat (by grinding it by hand on a marble wet stone for sharpening my knives), replacing both the seat holder's nylon washer (acts as a spacer for the O-ring) and the O-ring itself, and the other O-rings for the four plugs. I then put it together, starting on the yolk side, put the new HP diaphragm in, the spring holder and then screwed in the retaining nut. I used a crescent wrench and then a CO2 cartridge in a LP port to tighten the retaining nut (may not be the correct termininology) down very tight. I then took it out to the garage and put the second stage on it, and tightened the two plugs down. Finally, I placed the HP spring into the hole, and the adjusting nut screwed into the large retaining nut, loosely. Then I screwed my interstage gauge into the remaining LP port, and hooked it up to a tank.
When I pressurized the regulator, there were no leaks, but also no interstage pressure. I Used an 8 mm Allenwrench to screw the adjusting nut in (clockwise) to start registering pressure. When the pressure was at 135 psig, I tested the regulator by breathing on it. The regulator responded with great breathing, and the interstage pressure only went down about 15 psig, even on a hard inhalation.
So, this regulator is now together, and all I need to do is take it to Pacific Watersports to get the replacement LP diaphragm for the second stage on the recall.
I am pretty happy to get this regulator. I now have a MR-12, a MR12 II, and this MR-12 III, plus a MR-12 second stage on my Trieste II regulator. The MR-12 III has one HP port, and four LP ports, whereas the MR-12 and MR-12 II have only two LP ports (this includes the one foR the second stage). And, my AMF Voit 50 Fathom guts have found a house; it was a good trade.
John
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Post by tomcatpc on Nov 28, 2017 8:46:10 GMT -8
Looking forward to this coming Summer (so much for the "one day at a time" concept...) to dive my MR-12 again. I have dove it a couple times, but also had some free flow drama with it as well. Now that I have an IP Gauge, I found the IP was a bit high and knocked it back some. I totally forgot what the IP was, but it was slightly high so hoping that helps. Anyway, this reg has potential just hope I can get it to where it is as dependable as my Healthways Scubair. Mark
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 28, 2017 12:25:30 GMT -8
So, um-ah, how slightly high? Does the reg sit quietly if turn on the air and do nothing to it?
JB
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Post by vance on Nov 28, 2017 13:35:14 GMT -8
Great job John! I'm happy that the regulator worked out. I'm going to test out the 50 Fathom in open water sometime. It was going to be today in Monterey, but the excursion got canceled due to Crabby's lingering malaise.
I found out something disappointing when setting up my DivAir with the second regulator adapter for Monterey: it doesn't fit well due to the reserve assembly. I tried swapping sides, but then the hose placements are all wrong for the single hose. My ScubaStar won't fit right either. I'll have to experiment with other single hose regs with smaller first stages and more ports. Maybe the Aquarius.....
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Post by vance on Nov 28, 2017 13:56:27 GMT -8
I'm trying to get my hands on a Titan II. I keep getting outbid on the ones that are going for my target of (well) under $50. I want to make one into a double hose setup. They have a second stage drilling on the first that were plugged with a...well...plug. The firsts were for both the Trieste and the Titan, so they just screwed a plug into the second stage hole for the Titan II. Making a double hose reg out of the Titan II first is nothing new, but I'd like to do it. Maybe with a set of Mistral or GL cans or something. Going with the faux 50 Fathom cans is the easiest, I suspect, but not appealing.
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 28, 2017 14:04:53 GMT -8
Phil, if you have any twin 38's or 50's with a 3/4-thread you are welcome to use the manifold John gave me. It's a Sherwood with duel-posts It would save a lot of futzing around if'n ya did... JB
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Post by vance on Nov 28, 2017 18:22:07 GMT -8
That'd be awesome, but I don't have 3/4" tanks except 72s. Too heavy, my friend. I like the duel posts though. Two regs, notwithstanding their yolks, will fit on these making a safe setup fo' sho.
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Post by SeaRat on Nov 29, 2017 17:00:10 GMT -8
Phil,
I just came back from Pacific Watersports, Inc., my LDS, and now am sporting two brand new, clear silicone diaphragms in my MR-12 III, and in my MR-12 II also. My MR-12 II had the some diaphragm, and both were showing some signs (minor) of delaminating the stainless lever plate from the neoprene (I think) for the diaphragm. And, they both breath great.
Now, about the tanks for doubles, please see my PM.
John
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 30, 2017 8:28:39 GMT -8
John, is this the same diaphragm as the original MR-12? JB
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Post by vance on Nov 30, 2017 9:23:32 GMT -8
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Post by SeaRat on Nov 30, 2017 11:20:33 GMT -8
John, is this the same diaphragm as the original MR-12? JB Yes, it fits, but instead of the neoprene-impregnated nylon, it is a clear silicone diaphragm. It fits all the MR-12s. Phil, the E-Bay MR-12 is a great regulator. I hope someone pickes it up, but I have enough now with the MR-12III. The MR-12 doesn't have that air blast that you object to, as the air routes internally like the Healthways Scubair you like. But it has a larger exhaust than the Scubair. John
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Post by tomcatpc on Nov 30, 2017 18:47:48 GMT -8
I hear so much about how totally awesome the MR-12 is, and I will agree to an extent. But I have had a couple bad free flows with mine. Free flows that I only could shut out by taking the tank off and closing the valve.
Two of the times I was getting in the water and had the second stage hanging out of my mouth and the moment the 2nd got submerged it started up and I could not shut it down. The next I had the air on and was putting the tank/reg onto a table prior to a dive and the 2nd stage hit the table (not with that much force...) and it free flowed again...
Now that I have a IP Gauge, I knocked the IP down a bit (I want to say around 120-ish?, it had been 130-140-ish if I recall?).
Anyway I'd love to get mine to where it does not free flow by it's own free will...other than that it is a decent reg. But I'll stick with my Scubair or Calypso-J for a single hose I can depend on. Mark
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