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Post by vance on Mar 18, 2020 10:01:39 GMT -8
Did'ja notice it's got a purge button too! JB Actually, it doesn't and there's no need for one. Unfairly to JB, I took the original picture down, because I had mistakenly used it, thinking it was one of Adair's photos which I have permission to post. It sort of looks like a purge in that picture, but I think it was just missing the knob. The thing on the cover is an adjustment knob for the main diaphragm.
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 18, 2020 13:55:16 GMT -8
So then what is that knob for if not a purge?
JB
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Post by vance on Mar 18, 2020 20:26:57 GMT -8
It is an external adjuster for the diaphragm.
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Post by vance on Mar 21, 2020 8:02:23 GMT -8
OK, I probably won't do it, but I've been thinking about how to recreate this exhaust system in a regulator with a single hose first stage and tube LP feed to the second stage like the Conways.
I've been eyballing a set of Scuba cans. That Mares exhaust system seems like it could be set up in the Scuba. There'd be some flange cutting and hole plugging, and a thingy could be made that then slips over the exhaust horn and directs exhaled air out the valve hole.
Or wait!
I noticed how much the Mares exhaust thingy looks like a DBE. What if? I do have an orphan Mistral top can..... 🤔
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Post by vance on Apr 19, 2020 17:47:15 GMT -8
OK, back to the original conversion:
I did some machining today to get everything lined up perfectly. I finished off the new coupler bolt for the 3 way splitter/LP supply. Now everything is true and the cans should be leak proof. I have a leak somewhere in the 3 way adapter that needs to be sorted. Prolly needs an o-ring or nylon washer
I need to machine a new second stage cap and make a new lever that centers on the diaphragm. I also have to devise a retainer for the second stage cap so it can't rotate off center. I have an idea.
No problem! I'm really looking forward to trying this conversion out.
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Post by vance on Apr 24, 2020 14:07:57 GMT -8
Things are progressing well. Leak fixed, seals to can sorted, designed a new lever but didn't make it today because I can't find my hacksaw.
Sigh. Where the heck did I put it?
I was looking at some of my single hosers the other day with the idea in mind of another conversion. There's a nice USD mutli-port piston type first stage in the box that looks promising.
So, I started thinking about how to set up that balanced piston type 1st stage in a set of GL cans. At this point, I'm not sure I have enough interest in it. It COULD be done much like the Conways.
Actually, attaching the first stage to the can would be much easier. The cylinder would be the attaching nut, and would just need to be cut down a little to allow for the can thickness. Problem is, that cylinder would stick way up and would interfere with the diaphragm movement. No wonder Herman made an intermediate housing to back it off in his conversion.
I'd have to think about the whole thing and do some measurements, but I'm not sure there's any compelling reason to follow through with this.
Welcome to what's banging around inside of Vance's head at 3AM.
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Post by herman on Apr 25, 2020 3:47:08 GMT -8
Which reg? I am making a lot of progress on my next reg. All of the first stage work is done.
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Post by vance on Apr 25, 2020 9:02:55 GMT -8
Which reg? I am making a lot of progress on my next reg. All of the first stage work is done. I'm very interested to see what you're doing. The first piston type you made is very cool, and I really enjoyed your post on VDH showing the process. I'm looking at different piston first stages, hoping to find something with a short enough bonnet to act as a can retainer that doesn't stick up too far inside the can. The problem is the bonnet interfering with the diaphragm. I'd like to find something balanced, that has multiple ports, and is common enough to obtain w/o spending many $$. The first stage I started to consider but rejected is a USD reg with no name on the second, just Aqualung. Not sure what it is.
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Post by nikeajax on Apr 25, 2020 9:39:27 GMT -8
PY, the four USD pistons that come to mind are Deepstar-I and II, Aquarius, and Calypso. The Deepstar-I is a Scuba Star knock off, the Aquarius has a slight conical/thimble shape to it and the Calypso looks like a barrel. The Place of All Good Things has some Deepstar-IIs which you might want to research, truly a weird reg and right up your alley for peculiarity JB
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Post by herman on Apr 25, 2020 10:08:25 GMT -8
I am photographing every step of the way on my next project and plan to post it here and on VDH. I wish I could do photos here but I don't want to use any hosting sites for the photos.
A question for the group, assuming you are interested in this kind of thing, would you prefer progress installments or just one larger thread of the completed reg?
It's most likely a Calypso or Aquarius (later models). They are simple unbalanced flow by piston regs, basically the same a Scubapro MK-2/3/200. The only balanced linear flow piston regs I found were the Tusa series (R100, TR350/390)and one Sherwood. The Tusa's are fairly common on ebay for $50-75. That is what I used in my last project. I have another idea you might want to look at based on what I am doing.
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Post by nikeajax on Apr 25, 2020 12:22:03 GMT -8
I was under the impression that the Calypsos were balanced? JB
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Post by herman on Apr 25, 2020 12:47:48 GMT -8
Depends, the early models were but as USD often did, they reused the name for a reg. If you recall, the first generation of the Calypso were diaphragm models, the next generation were balanced flow through piston design. I am not sure what year but some time late 80s, early 90s maybe they dropped the more familiar flow through piston Calypso line but later, again not sure when, they reused the name for a lower end simple piston model.
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Post by vance on Apr 26, 2020 10:06:38 GMT -8
A question for the group, assuming you are interested in this kind of thing, would you prefer progress installments or just one larger thread of the completed reg? I like to see the process. It's interesting to me to know where ideas like this come from, how it develops, and how the end result was achieved. Everyone on VSS has been subjected to my agonizings, since I believe everyone should feel my pain. But, hey! Others might just want a summary.
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Post by Terry on Apr 26, 2020 14:05:09 GMT -8
Definitely progress installments. It's like watching a favorite TV program series, and you can't wait till the next episode to see what the latest development is. I also think that doing it this way gives those who are following the thread an opportunity to digest what the latest developments and/or problems are and to possibly come up with their ideas, solutions or comments and possibly offer them. These types of threads are always very interesting and informative to follow. Just my opinion. Thanks for asking!
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Post by vance on Apr 29, 2020 15:20:26 GMT -8
Ok, y'all,
I just pulled the trigger on a mini milling machine. After 20 hours of cleaning, tuning, adjusting, and making new pieces for it, I'll be making some partz!
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