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Post by vance on Mar 1, 2020 9:09:31 GMT -8
I'm looking at this again, hoping to get something done before the deluge of crusty old regulators arrives for me to rebuild. There are two problems. I need a top can to fit this into that won't make me sick to cut up, and I need to figure out the LP supply tube. The can problem may be solved. There is probably one that is suitable for modding in the coming boxes of regs. The supply tube still needs figgerin'. It needs to be bigger in diameter than the one I already bent, and it needs fittings that allow it to be positioned correctly and not leak like I posted about just above. Here's what USD did: s
Pretty kludgy in my estimation. I think using an elbow at the second stage might help with the compound bends in the tubing... A nice arc would be preferable to the 90 degree bends at the ends.
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Post by scubalawyer on Mar 1, 2020 10:35:51 GMT -8
Here's my "New" Mistral. Worst breathing reg ever created. IMHO I won it at a DEMA show back when they were first put on the market.
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 1, 2020 11:13:34 GMT -8
PY, what kinda cans are you gunna use: I have a great idea for a logo, very 1960's lookin' too JB
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Post by vance on Mar 1, 2020 13:00:12 GMT -8
Probably a Mistral set, since I should be getting a pretty beat one to cut up. I haven't worked on this for a while because I've been balking at modding a pretty good top can that I have. I'd use Heathways, but they aren't flat like the USD cans so sealing the first stage to the can is harder. I suppose the can's interface area could be pressed flat to make a better seal....
I'd love to see the proposed label!
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 1, 2020 19:23:40 GMT -8
I'm looking at this again, hoping to get something done before the deluge of crusty old regulators arrives for me to rebuild. There are two problems. I need a top can to fit this into that won't make me sick to cut up, and I need to figure out the LP supply tube. The can problem may be solved. There is probably one that is suitable for modding in the coming boxes of regs. The supply tube still needs figgerin'. It needs to be bigger in diameter than the one I already bent, and it needs fittings that allow it to be positioned correctly and not leak like I posted about just above. Here's what USD did: s
Pretty kludgy in my estimation. I think using an elbow at the second stage might help with the compound bends in the tubing... A nice arc would be preferable to the 90 degree bends at the ends. I made a decision not to buy Aqualung's New Mistral because I found that it would bit fit on my doubles. That LP hose was in the way. So I've never used one. My LDS has one f the display New Mistrals, and Laurie may be taking it into a pool later this spring. But this regulator was made for single tank use. John
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Post by vance on Mar 3, 2020 8:55:01 GMT -8
While waiting for the postman to deliver my shipment of old regs, I did some machining on the fittings for the LP tube. I'm increasing the tube size to 1/4" and want to simplify the bends by using an elbow at the second stage. Also, the LP tube fitting at the first stage needs to allow the tube to be aligned properly, so a threaded connector that rotates around the tube is necessary. The second stage connector is a modded hose end which already allows the second stage to be positioned properly so it can be soldered.
When I get some more progress on it I'll post pictures.
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Post by vance on Mar 4, 2020 12:47:12 GMT -8
Here's the setup installed in the can. The LP tube is still waiting to be bent, but the fittings are figured out. The second stage is not the one that will go in this reg, and the levers will be longer that the ones shown. This is a mockup to show what it will look like except the LP tube.
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Post by scubalawyer on Mar 4, 2020 13:21:45 GMT -8
That is UBER cool!
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 4, 2020 19:43:06 GMT -8
So, just out of curiosity, is it the small diaphragm or the lack of Venturi, or both, that makes the original design for the Aqualung New Mistral a poor breather?
John
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Post by scubalawyer on Mar 4, 2020 22:18:52 GMT -8
So, just out of curiosity, is it the small diaphragm or the lack of Venturi, or both, that makes the original design for the Aqualung New Mistral a poor breather? John I'd be interested in knowing too. I've never taken mine apart.
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 5, 2020 12:39:51 GMT -8
OK PY, I'm waiting for you to tell us it breathes better than a RAAM and if you do I'm gunna laugh! JB
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Post by vance on Mar 5, 2020 13:29:08 GMT -8
It has not yet passed gas, due to a bad HP seat and hella IP creep, but it is about to as soon as I take the first stage apart, or replace it with a different one. Here's the new LP pipe. It could have a neater look, but bending brass tube isn't easy, and that was as tight a radius as I could get w/o collapsing the tubing. A wide arc isn't a bad thing for air flow. That 90 degree elbow simplifies the tube bends, but is not optimal. I'd rather have the tube bend than use the fitting, but I can't make the bend that tight. Here's what the reg looks like on the tank:
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 5, 2020 13:42:57 GMT -8
I see an alloy Divair in that last image JB
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Post by vance on Mar 5, 2020 14:01:30 GMT -8
Yup, and a plastic one barely in the right upper corner!
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Post by vance on Mar 5, 2020 15:28:31 GMT -8
Note the HP port is angled off to the left, as it should be, with the tube down and out of the way. Serendipitous.
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