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Post by vance on Feb 27, 2020 17:53:06 GMT -8
Although my intention was to trim down the collection (which I have, drastically!), I just picked up a couple (ok, several), double hose regulators in need of repair.
Why did you do it, Vance?
Well, it was a chance to get a number of really cool regulators that need some TLC, and to be put back into diving condition, plus some more modding opportunities!
I haven't yet received them, so the details are thin, but let's just say there's a complete plastic and an alloy DivAir, plus a fiberglass DivAir body, a StreamAir, an Over-Pressure, some HW parts, 3 Hope-Page mps, a Mistral, a pair of chrome 50 Fathom cans, and some other bits.
I am looking forward to making these into divers again, adding bits to some of my Scubas, and making some hotrods!
Yeah, Buddy!
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Post by scubalawyer on Feb 27, 2020 19:40:46 GMT -8
Although my intention was to trim down the collection (which I have, drastically!), I just picked up a couple (ok, several), double hose regulators in need of repair. Why did you do it, Vance? Well, it was a chance to get a number of really cool regulators that need some TLC, and to be put back into diving condition, plus some more modding opportunities! I haven't yet received them, so the details are thin, but let's just say there's a complete plastic and an alloy DivAir, plus a fiberglass DivAir body, a StreamAir, an Over-Pressure, some HW parts, 3 Hope-Page mps, a Mistral, a pair of chrome 50 Fathom cans, and some other bits. I am looking forward to making these into divers again, adding bits to some of my Scubas, and making some hotrods! Yeah, Buddy! Hmmmm... me thinks you acquired my dive buddy Texas Bill Tucker's thinning of the herd.  Good job! |
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 28, 2020 8:35:23 GMT -8
Well, it was a chance to get a number of really cool regulators that need some TLC, and to be put back into diving condition, plus some more modding opportunities! ...there's a complete plastic and an alloy DivAir, plus a fiberglass DivAir body... Oh, bu-dah-boy! to quote Porky Pig. Lookin' forward to seeing them  JB |
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Post by vance on Feb 28, 2020 8:47:07 GMT -8
Here's the speech I will give if ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize:
"No vintage double hose regulator should go unserviced. While it is my duty to help wherever I can, I am only one man, and I must hope that new generations will take up this cause. I recognize and applaud the other ten individuals out there struggling to keep these beautiful things from extinction. I acknowledge that I can't save them all. I must narrow my focus and leave all the crusty DAAMs and RAMs and Spiros and Northills, and JetAirs and Scubas and Gold Labels to others. It is my fervent hope and my calling to find all the DivAirs out there languishing in sheds, attics, garages, etc., that are waiting for me to snatch them up and give them new diaphragms!"
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 28, 2020 10:16:51 GMT -8
 "Gee Grampa' who was Vance?" "My boy..." his grandfather said wiping away a tear and choking up from the emotion, "H-he w-was a great, great ma-man..."  JB |
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Post by vance on Feb 28, 2020 21:12:04 GMT -8
That made me LOL, JB!
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 29, 2020 12:27:52 GMT -8
PY, hey, um, is there any difference between the alloy and the plastic models: if so could you please describe? I think the top? can is different, right?
Thanks buuuuuuddy!
JB
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Post by vance on Feb 29, 2020 16:51:59 GMT -8
So, I've found out that the DivAir can come in many forms. There were models A-F. The model B is almost identical to the model A, the C saw a change in material and was cast in aluminum alloy, then blue anodized, and the D saw another material change to black fiberglass. The last few designations had to do with hoseloops. There seem to be 4 actual models although there were 6 designations: Bronze (A), Bronze (B) Alloy (C) , and Fiberglass (D,E,F). Apparently there are serial #s with A, B, C letter prefixes, but the last 3 models had no letter prefix.
Further complications come from the bronze and alu bodied regs being "upgraded" to plastic by the service company. This was unfortunate for us DivAir rescuers, but it was certainly practical. The metal castings were badly corroded by salt water, and if you wanted your DivAir to last, you got the conversion. The visual of all those bronze and alloy bodies being trashed gives me,....., well.
What happens here is, you can have a plastic bodied reg with a letter serial # (A, B, C) that doesn't match your plastic reg. I don't know all the details of the serial # issues. Just understand that it's complicated.
There are some lever differences. The A, B, and C models had the long fingered diaphragm lever, which was adapted into the short fingered one later. The lever with short fingers covered the air channel better and directed air into the intake horn. There are also two lever adjuster screws in some regs and only one in others. I assume that the ones with only one are early. These statements are made due to observation of the regs that I have seen and may not be correct.
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 29, 2020 17:04:23 GMT -8
Thanks for that info I should have asked: are the alloy and plastic identical? JB |
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Post by vance on Feb 29, 2020 17:19:30 GMT -8
Doh! No! One's plastic and the others are metal!  Sorry. The castings may be identical. I'd have to study them. I will when I receive my new DivAirs. Has anyone out there seen a serial # with an "A" prefix? The only letter I've seen as a prefix is "C". |
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Post by vance on Feb 29, 2020 17:29:00 GMT -8
Another difference in the line is the reserve. The fiberglass and alloy ones were the same, but the bronze reg had a round knob.
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Post by vance on Mar 3, 2020 8:40:35 GMT -8
Got 2 boxes of crusty old regs full of fine mud. They had been stored in a shed that was in a flood. The stuff rinsed out easily enough, but left a residue (or something did) that wouldn't come off until I soaked the parts in vinegar. There are some very nice pieces and some not so great, but no nasty surprises as I was aware of condition. There are some parts to complete partial regs that needed finishing, and the complete ones are all rebuildable. I'll be busy for a few days.
I have replacements for a couple of badly corroded cans, and the bad ones will be perfect for the Conways conversion. Kew, no guilt mods!
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Post by vance on Mar 3, 2020 18:44:01 GMT -8
O-P, Mistral, Deluxe, alloy Divair, 2 plastic Divairs, StreamAir, all cleaned, rebuilt, and awaiting some replacement parts. They all came out pretty good, after some very needed replacements, esp. 2 top cans for the O-P and StreamAir, and a LOT of cleaning. Nice lot of a few rare regs! A couple passed gas for the first time in decades!   |
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 4, 2020 9:21:31 GMT -8
You got 3.5 Divairs and a Scuba Deluxe: you sir, suck seven kinds of suckage!  Oh yeah, I'm jealous  JB |
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Post by vance on Mar 4, 2020 17:09:05 GMT -8
This brings the total up to 5 1/2 DivAirs, which means suckage x11 . I am in possession of 2 Alu bodied ready to dive, 1 fiberglass ready to dive, +2 when I get a couple diaphragms, + the poor broken DivAir I fixed. Alls it needs is a cover and a diaphragm. What food can will fit? Bummer! A little too small.  |
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Good job!
